Span Am War

Started by Quick Fire, August 05, 2016, 06:09:59 AM

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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
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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!)
It is far better to remain silent, and be thought a fool, than to speak and remove all doubt!

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.

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Pitspitr

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

So basically it sounds like issued handgun ammo was BP and any smokeless pistol rounds were privately purchased, correct?
Win with ability, not with numbers.- Alexander Suvorov, Russian Field Marshal, 1729-1800

S. Quentin Quale, Esq.

Quote from: Pitspitr on August 05, 2016, 10:55:32 AM
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!

"It Wasn't Cowboys and Ponies - It Was Horses and Men.
It Wasn't Schoolboys and Ladies - It Was Cowtowns and Sin..."

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.
Civilize them with a Krag . . .

Quick Fire

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

Quick Fire
QuickFire                                 Lt. Colonel, Division of Nebraska                                                                                                                                                                          GRAND ARMY of the FRONTIER                                                         
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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.

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N.C.O.W.S. 2279 - Senator
Hiram's Rangers C-3
G.A.F. 415
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Quote from: Drydock on August 05, 2016, 07:06:02 PM


  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! :D




Drydock

I'm pretty sure they used an early formulation of what we now call "Bullseye" powder.
Civilize them with a Krag . . .

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