Span Am War

[Quick Fire]

I realize that the US army used smokeless powder in the 30-40 Krag, but did they use smokeless rounds in their revolvers and especially did the First US Volunteers use smokeless in their 45 Colts?

Quick Fire

[ira scott]

Jack, if you value the opinion of an uneducated friend, I'll give you mine! My thought is that the government had a whole shitload of B.P. .45 Colt ammunition in warehouses, and that smokeless pistol powder was still a pretty new deal in 1898. I think the .45 Colt sidearms were makin smoke right along with the B.P. Springfield rifles. (and giving away your position!)

[Coal Creek Griff]

It was specifically mentioned in accounts that the 1st USV were at a disadvantage due to their use of BP against the Spaniards' smokeless Mauser rifles.

CC Griff

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[St. George]

That 'disadvantage' only applied to the other Volunteer units armed with Trapdoors.

That wasn't the case for the 1st Volunteer Cavalry - Roosevelt procured Krag Carbines and smokeless ammunition for his Troopers.

The available handgun ammunition wasn't .45 Colt, either - it was .45 S&W - the Government-issued load for the Schofield, and in issue since 1875.

The various Colt DA .38s were also used, and those used a black powder load.

Scouts Out!

[Pitspitr]

Col.
When did the Army start using smokeless in handguns? 1911?

[Jake C]

So basically it sounds like issued handgun ammo was BP and any smokeless pistol rounds were privately purchased, correct?

[S. Quentin Quale, Esq.]

Col.
When did the Army start using smokeless in handguns? 1911?

The M1909 Colt New Service was in .45 cal.  This was the issue round.  Could it be first?

http://www.armslist.com/posts/1864054/tampa-ammo-for-sale--full-box-of-vintage--45-ball-model-1909-cartridges

SQQ

[St. George]

The Army (Frankfort Arsenal) stopped manufacture of BP rounds in 1892.

Smokeless was adopted in 1900.

There was still a lot in the inventory that would be issued out until gone.

Scouts Out!

[Drydock]

Commercial Smokeless .45 and .38 rounds were sent to the Phillipines in 1899.    Frankford arsenal had Smokeless pistol rounds in both 38 and 45 by 1900.

Only 1 unit at San Juan Hill was using Trapdoors, the 71st NY.

[Quick Fire]

Thanks for all your replies. A fellow sure can learn a lot on this forum.

Quick Fire

[Books OToole]

I found a quote in one of my war correspondent references that said that;  Edward Marshall found smokeless ammunition for his revolver.  Alas, no mention of what kind of revolver or what caliber.

Books

[Charles Isaac]

   Frankford arsenal had Smokeless pistol rounds in both 38 and 45 by 1900.

    I have about a hundred rounds of 1900 Frankford Arsenal hollow base .38 Long Colt-and it's smokeless-stuff shoots pretty good too!

[Drydock]

I'm pretty sure they used an early formulation of what we now call "Bullseye" powder.

[cpt dan blodgett]

I am thinking if you are close enough to use the revolver effectively your position may not be all that great a secret.  The C96s were certainly smokeless

[Baltimore Ed]

All the .45 rounds that I've shot since I've been in uniform have been smokeless.