Actually the rimfire concept was patented by S&W* and they got a royalty for every round produced. Regardless of who manufactured it or the caliber.
In 1862 S&W sold 416,000 rounds of .44/100 ammunition. (As well as 3,715,900 .22/100 and 2,203,400 .32/100)**
Books
* The "rocket-ball" ammunition was the main reason of the failure of the Volcanics.
**S&WCA Journal, Spring 2019, page 44.