Balloon head .44 wcf

[dusty texian]

I found this empty old .44 wcf cartridge case this past wk. on the Lucky 11 ranch near Ft. Mason Tx. This ranch was the stomping grounds for the Mason Co War. or localy known as the Hoo Doo War. A very bloody feud that lasted from 1874 until 1902. This old ranch dates back to before the feud .The old cartridge is marked .44 wcf W.R.A.C O. It is a Balloon head cartridge . I have posted a picture. Can anyone tell me what yr. this type cartridge was stopped being  manufactured. Look's like it has been stepped on by horses,and know tellin what. But finding a 44-40 wcf on ground that was a known hideout for the likes of Johny Ringo,Tom Cooley and many other gunfighter,s and Texas Ranger's , makes this old case very interesting to me . ..... Thank's Dusty.  IF IT COULD ONLY TALK.

[w44wcf]

Dusty,
Interesting find!   Winchester switched from the small primer to the large primer pocket in 1929, so the cartridge was made before then.  It may not be possible to see since the primer has been struck, but if there is not a small "W" on the primer, then it was made before 1920, like the one in my profile pic.

Winchester began headstamping their cases in 1886, so the cartridge could have been made manufactured sometime between 1886 and 1929.

Does it look like there was a case cannelure at the bottom of where the bullet would have been? If so, it  was smokeless or semi- smokeless (1895 - 1929).  If not it was a b.p. round.

w44wcf  

[dusty texian]

The case has been smashed from the side ,but the section of sidewall that is still in prety good shape look's to be slick. The firing pin mark seem's large to me . Kinda stand's out. You can see the bottom inside, and it is a Balloon Head for sure. Thank's for the info . I thought about your profile pic. when I picked it up off the ground............Dusty

[w44wcf]

Dusty,
The original '73's had the larger .10" diameter firing pin (black powder) and that larger imprint on the small primer makes the firing pin mark seem larger than normal.   

There were 2 different kinds of balloon head cases. The earliest was a folded head type which used 2 pcs. of brass and was weaker than the later solid head type otherwise know as S.H.B.P. (Solid Head Button Pocket) which is the type of cartridge that you found.

w44wcf

[dusty texian]

That is very Cool ,Thank's for the info. ........Dusty

[flyingcollie]

So, does that mean it was most likely  made between 1886 - 1895 ?

W44wcf, does the head-stamp/ exposed primer in 1886 mark the end of center-fire cartridges with an integral primer like rimfires have ?

Just jumping into this thread "uninvited" 'cuz I appreciate the knowledge our forum pards share, at least as much as I appreciate the wonderment of finding a relic like this at a historical site, and wondering "what if ? ". Thanks to both of you !

Dusty, now you got me going off to read about the Mason County War . . .  fun !

[w44wcf]

flyingcollie,

As far as I know, it was only the military cartridges that were internal primed.
The .44 W.C.F. / .44-40 has always been externally primed since its inception.

w44wcf