Winter Musing

[Glenn]

Decided to reveal a deep dark Spencer related fantasy.  Many years ago I discovered that the Remington RB Navy Pistol fires a cartridge that is very close in size to a 56-56.  If the darned things weren't so expensive....  That would have to be the coolest, a RB pistol in 56-56.  "you only got a 50 cal ?" 

[mtmarfield]

   Greetings!

I think the Remington RB Pistol in .50 is one of the neatest pistols... It was first chambered for a squat rimfire cartridge; COTW {For what it's worth} says 290gr. bullet/ 23gr. powder; the later centerfires were pretty much the same. I believe that there were two slightly different CF cartridges.
I recall seeing an early ad for surplus RB Pistols that had their chambers recut to .50-70 dimensions, so that the owner could shoot either the .50 Army cartridge, or the .50-70 cartridge loaded with shot for hunting or defense! I'd LOVE one of those... I keep haunting the antique gun lists & auction houses; you never know.
SO... Who's going to make them for us??

                  Be Well!

                                        M. T. Marfield
                                         12-23-05

[Dakota Widowmaker]

Yikes!!!

I heard tell of a Dragoon that was rechambered and timed to fit 56-52...I have no idea if it ever made it beyond "talk".

I think there was a break top (or "tip out", as they were called back then) single shot rifle like that.

Heck, a good old 28gauge (.550") shotgun could be sleeved to fit .515" bullets.

Now, there is an idea... a good ol fashioned double gun shooting 56-50...

[French Jack]

The Remington RB pistol for the Navy was chambered for the 50 cal. Navy, aka 50 Springfield which was the original version of the 56-50.  It was later chambered for the 50-45, which was a longer cartridge chambered and developed for the Remington RB Carbine adopted by the Navy.  This simplified ammunition for the Navy.  The Army version of the Remington RB was chambered for a shorter round, the 50 Army, which is a more well known round.  I see a few 50 Army cartridges at shows, but rarely a 50 Cal. Navy.

At one time I owned a 50 Cal. Navy RB which worked with the 56-50 Spencer-- recoil was pretty stiff, and I imagine would have been pretty rough on someone with smaller hands.  It was certainly a stomper, though.  about like a 45 Colt on steroids.

[Dakota Widowmaker]

Sounds like a precoursor to the Tompson Center toys...

[Ed Clintwood]

Now there's a thought.  Get TC to make you a special 56-50 barrel.  It wouldn't be period, but then... .  I'd rather have one of those than say something in .45-70 or worse!