Any ideas???
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littleneckhalfshell
Sr. Member
They are the brass end of a 12 gauge "pin fire" shotgun shell. On a pin fire shotgun, usually double barrel, the shell is inserted and the "pin" fits in a hole on top of the breach. When you close the action, the "pin" protrudes on the surface. The exposed hammers are arranged so that when you pull the trigger, the hammer comes down on top of the pin on top of the barrel, that sets off the charge in the shell, expelling the shot out the barrel. I knew a fellow that had two double barrel pin fire shotguns, the barrels were patterned Damascus steel and unsafe for modern powders. Not sure if you can even get pin fire shells anymore. nice find.
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littleneckhalfshell
Sr. Member
Here is a little more information found on "BlackPowdergun.com"
"Several cartridges of varying designs appeared during the first half of the 19th, but the pinfire cartridge was one of the first successful cartridges. This cartridge had an internal primer, powder charge, and projectile packaged in one unit. The pinfire shot cartridge also established a system for making shotshells using a metal cup rimmed base which secured the case body, a laminated paper tube, a system used in shotshell manufacture until a plastic tube replaced the paper body of the case. Also aiding the success of the pinfire system, was its adaptability to the Lefaucheux gun, a sound breechloading system developed earlier for the unsuccessful Pauly cartridge.
The pinfire system enjoyed considerable success until the development of central fire ammunition. It was adapted to various pistols and other arms. The main problem lay with the pin (anvil) which projected at a right angle to the base of the cartridge and was struck by the hammer effect ignition. In loading a pinfire gun the cartridge must be placed so that the pin cleared the recess for it in the breech. Also, transportation of the pinfire cartridge was problematic. Carried loose in a pocket of hunting bag the pins caught in the fabric or could be bent. Except for a revolving type arm, the pinfire cartridge was not readily adaptable to a repeating arm."
"Several cartridges of varying designs appeared during the first half of the 19th, but the pinfire cartridge was one of the first successful cartridges. This cartridge had an internal primer, powder charge, and projectile packaged in one unit. The pinfire shot cartridge also established a system for making shotshells using a metal cup rimmed base which secured the case body, a laminated paper tube, a system used in shotshell manufacture until a plastic tube replaced the paper body of the case. Also aiding the success of the pinfire system, was its adaptability to the Lefaucheux gun, a sound breechloading system developed earlier for the unsuccessful Pauly cartridge.
The pinfire system enjoyed considerable success until the development of central fire ammunition. It was adapted to various pistols and other arms. The main problem lay with the pin (anvil) which projected at a right angle to the base of the cartridge and was struck by the hammer effect ignition. In loading a pinfire gun the cartridge must be placed so that the pin cleared the recess for it in the breech. Also, transportation of the pinfire cartridge was problematic. Carried loose in a pocket of hunting bag the pins caught in the fabric or could be bent. Except for a revolving type arm, the pinfire cartridge was not readily adaptable to a repeating arm."
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littleneckhalfshell
Sr. Member
article says "first half of the 19 century", so that would be the early 1800's. I know I read elsewhere that they were in use at the time of the American Civil War 1860-1865, but that is when some centerfire cartridges were coming into existence which then supplanted the pinfire, so I would guess that the time period of most common use would be maybe 1820-1865 ?? The pin fire system was also used in pistols and other cartridge guns in various calibers.
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Bigcypresshunter
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They were probably in use for a very short time period. Somewhere in between cap and ball and cartridges, I would think. They didn't commonly use cartridges until the end of the Civil War, right? I also learned something and had never heard of them. Very interesting. I wonder if they had any use besides hunting?
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littleneckhalfshell
Sr. Member
More information on "pinfire" guns is found on the Wikipedia site at this web address: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pinfire
"A pinfire firearm cartridge is an obsolete type of brass cartridge in which the priming compound is ingnited by striking a small pin which protrudes radially from just above the base of the cartridge. Invented by Casimir Lefaucheaux in 1828 but not patented until 1835, it was one of the earliest practical designs of a metallic cartridge." Article continues with other information on use and time frame. Some novelty pinfire arms are still made today.
"A pinfire firearm cartridge is an obsolete type of brass cartridge in which the priming compound is ingnited by striking a small pin which protrudes radially from just above the base of the cartridge. Invented by Casimir Lefaucheaux in 1828 but not patented until 1835, it was one of the earliest practical designs of a metallic cartridge." Article continues with other information on use and time frame. Some novelty pinfire arms are still made today.
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