Just a heads up here but a skeletonized carrier is banned in NCOWS and why is it needed? I've shot BP in a Henry & '66 for years and never had a fouled carrier block, but then I shoot 44-40's. Also, NCOWS will probably not approve the .45 Special cartridge as it really is not representative of an authentic cartridge from the Old West. As far as SASS & its "gonzo" rules go I don't know as I don't shoot SASS. I'm not trying to pee on the parade here, it's just that I don't want to see an uninformed NCOWS member purchase these to only be told at a shoot that they are not legal.
I'm not gonna get into the NCOWS vs SASS debate. I shoot SASS, and the Cowboy .45 Special is a legal SASS round, and a skelatonized carrier is SASS legal IF when at rest, action closed, the modification is not visible. SOME BP shooters using straight walled cases would like it, some won't.
We'll likely offer the Cowboy .45 special carrier either way.
As to the Cowboy .45 Special not being representative of an authentic period round, THAT has not been brought to NCOWS yet, to my knowledge. Since I am not an NCOWS member, I have not done so.
There IS a historical precedent, chambered in British "Webley Green" guns and used in .45 Colt SAA guns also bought by the British for their Foriegn Services (India etc) in the .45 Webley (not .455). The .45 Webley was a .452 diameter, 225 grain, 20 grains of BP, made by WRA Co among others from 1876 to the selling of WRA Co in 1931. It is a cartridge which is exactly like the .45 Colt in every respect but length. The .45 WEBLEY is approximately .060 SHORTER than my Cowboy .45 Special.
Here's a pic with some historical .45s. The .45 Webley is underscored with red ***