125-145 year old Shotgun Casing - One of the first Centerfire types

[Don in SJ]

Quite a few years ago I found a few solid brass shotgun casings and over the years have noticed the lack of others posting them. I did find one on TNet that perhaps is the same as WRA Rival I am also posting here, but otherwise, the solid brass shotgun casings seem to elude many detectorists for some unknown reason.

It appears the first centerfire shotgun shell (replacing the pin-fire type) came about near the end of the Civil War. The 10 gauge shell I found is called a Draper, which was patented in 1864. It has a screw on base! Most likely one of the first centerfire types used.

I sent photos to one of the main collectors of shotgun shells and his reply on the Draper was : "It is a Draper with a screw off head. These are actually quite rare and sell in Mint condition for about $100. They were from the 1860-1890 era."

The other shell is a No. 12 (Gauge) WRA Rival and it is from about the 1900 time frame, the saw tooth crimp makes it one of the earlier Rivals made.


Both shells are over 2.6 inches in length, with the Draper being a 10 gauge and the WRA Rival a 12 gauge shell.

I do have two other solid brass shotgun casings, but they are flattened, and hopefully I can relocate them in my junk boxes and try and get ID's of those two.

Who says shotgun casings can't be interesting, would love to see others posted on this post if you have found any.

Don

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[Lt1stone]

I have a couple that I dug. I'll have to locate them and check them out. Great info Don! Thanks for posting!

[steelheadwill]

Great subject Don
They are rare finds.
never saw the Screw off, very nice example
I am guessing the New Rival shorts are the descendant of the full brass Rival,
(and I have dug a few of those )
I have 2 intact, 'REM UMC BEST #12' - 1911-1934,
And a 'Winchester #10', - 1878-1948

[CMDiamonddawg]

Found corroded pieces but Never the saw tooth crimp , interesting rarity ! dawg

[Neil in West Jersey]

I never paid much attention to them but I will now!

[kuger]

I have had certain sites produce many,but they seem to come in streaks.I cant say I have dug a Draper(need to look)I did dig two casings stuck together to form a "tube",and had gold nuggets in them!

[steelheadwill]

I have had certain sites produce many,but they seem to come in streaks.I cant say I have dug a Draper(need to look)I did dig two casings stuck together to form a "tube",and had gold nuggets in them!

Now that's a shell I wouldn't mind digging

[Dig em all]

Very Nice.

[Whitebeard]

Nice find, sure is a good item from the past and in great shape.

[iamfree]

great!

[oldsalty19]

[civil_war22]

I have a draper as well

[kieser sousa/rip]

Interesting post Don.The first time I ever saw a solid brass shotgun shell was on an old John Wayne movie...I remember thinking "man I'd love to find one of those !" I found two incomplete shells at an old foundation site a couple of years ago....still lookin for a complete one !