Smith Carbine Cartridge / SOLD

Very nice example of the foil and paper wrapped .50 caliber Smith carbine cartridge.  The Smith began service with a rubberized cartridge, when stocks of rubber proved elusive, munitions works tried rolled paper, gutta percha, or rolled sheet metal as a sleeve to the .50 caliber bullets. Moreover, these exotic cases would foul the chamber so bad when fired that after a few dozen shots the gun was unusable until cleaned. When the Sharps and Spencer repeating carbines appeared after 1862, the single-shot Smith fell out of favor.

Inventory Number: BUL 275 / SOLD