A shell casing a brooch and an old shotgun shell brass

[detectordude]

The other day I dug up and old shell casing which has the following inscription on the end:
W.R.A. Co. 38-56 WCF I have determined that the W.R.A. Co. is the Winchester Repeating Arms Company. The 38-56 is the caliber. The WCF is Winchester Center Fire. The shell is 2 1/8 long. The end of the shell is 19-32" wide. The primer is 7/32" wide. Any help on this and the below items would be appreciated.

This is a brooch that I dug up and know nothing about it. There are no markings on it. I am also curious what the hook may have been used for.

This is shotgun shell brass that I dug up. It has no markings on it. The primer on the inside looks different than a modern primer.

Thanks,
Bill

 

[nyiangelo]

I'd be curious as to what those shiny things are in that broach...

 

[detectordude]

I am assuming that they are rhinestones. I haven't had them checked though.

 

[TiredIron]

Winchester introduced the 38-56 WCF in 1887....was common in the lever action rifles. They were normally loaded with a 255 grain Flat Nose bullet.

http://pics.gunbroker.com/GB/139752000/139752469/pix107838781.jpg

http://pics.gunbroker.com/GB/139752000/139752469/pix107838875.jpg

TiredIron

 

[turtlefoot13]

Hey Bill,

Here is a site that might be able to help you with both the shotgun brass and the WRA cartridge (if you need anything else on it).

http://members.shaw.ca/cstein0/heads.htm

I really like it when I find shotgun brass. I have yet to find one that is not marked. Today I found my first 16ga. though Good luck on the id of the brass and let us know what you find out.

Congrats on the nice finds BTW!
Doug