Need a little background and dating on 45.90 cal. rifle cartridge

[silverswede]

My "specialty" if there is such a thing is searching old big game and fishing campsites here in No. Idaho. I have amassed quite a collection of old fired and unfired shells. Today was my first 45.90 cartridge case. The head stamp reads 45.90 C.F. WRA CO. I have quite a few 45.70s' as they have been modernized. Back in the 40's there was an old Winchester lever action in the 45.90 caliber that belonged to an old aunt but it got bought up by a collector before I was old enough to lift the darn thing. I do remember though that they couldnt buy ammunition for it then and the last time it was fired they used 45.70 in it. Do any of you gun buffs here have info on manufacture dates of the rifles using this cartridge.
The shell case is 2 1/2" long.

 

Amazon Forum Fav 👍

A Handbook of Civil War Bullets and Cartridges - Grab it through Amazon!

[stoney56]

I believe the .45/90 was basically a lengthened .45/70.

http://www.antiquearmsinc.com/1895-marlin-rifle.htm

http://www.galleryofguns.com/Shootingtimes/Articles/DisplayArticles.asp?ID=3182

They said you can still get the brass cartridges from Starline Brass but you would have to handload the blackpowder and bullet. (.45 cal bullet and 90 grains of blackpowder)

 

[junkdigger]

Silverswede,I do the same type of hunting in the Lewiston area. I've found only one 45-90WCF,but many other old cases and bullets. According to the book,"Cartridges of the World", the 45-90WCF was introduced in 1885 for the Winchester model 1886 rifle and the Winchester High Wall single shot rifle.Marlin also made rifles in this caliber. Smokeless loads were introduced in 1895,and were discontinued about 1936.

 

[flip]

Yep, 45/90 was a lengthened 45/70. Sharps also made rifles in that caliber.

 

[ivan salis]

there was the .45 - 70 being a common govt military load and with lots of govt surplus guns sold it hung around (there are gun chambered for it to this day)------then there was the .45- 90 and the .45-120 even (oouch) ---the latter number is the "grains" of black powder in the load--- by the way sharps made a number of speciality rifles ---they were often used by buffalo hunter types and big game hunters. they were well known to be highly accurite ---thus the term "sharps-shooter"

 

[Charlie P. (NY)]

Junkdigger & all filled in the dates.

As a side note, I just picked up a magazine on CAS (Cowboy Action Shooting) and there is a groundswell of older cartridges and reproduction firearms (many made in Italy). Companies are making firearms in such calibers as .40-65, .45-90 and .32-40 for these enthusiasts, as well as dozens of the old revolver cartridges. And cartridge makers are producing cases and even loaded ammo . . . for a price.

Should complicate things in the near future.

 

[silverswede]

Thank you all. You are a wealth of information. The rifle I referred to must have been an Winchester 1886. It had an octogon barrel and was long-not a carbine. I remember my dad saying "it was so slow you had to lead a standing deer" That would be the 90 grains of black powder and a big bullet. Junkdigger, It's nice to know I have a neighbor down on the Clearwater.