what are the shotgun shells with the primer on the side"?
September 7th, 2010 by eranio
These shotgun shells were developed before shell’s with the primmer in the center of the base of the cartridge. I found these shells for sale at a flea market and I wanted to find out the name of shotgun shell style, and any background info I can get. Also any value because I want to give them to my big brother as a gift.
Posted in used shotguns
September 7th, 2010 at 7:40 pm
I thought all shotgun shells were center fire. Rifle rounds are made in center fire and rimfire. Rimfire appeared before centerfire. It kind of sounds like you are talking about a rimfire shotgun shell.
September 7th, 2010 at 7:40 pm
I agree with gordon52353. Based on your description, they’re most likely pin-fires.
September 7th, 2010 at 7:40 pm
The other poster is likely correct, they may be pinfire rounds. If these are not spent shells, they are likely dangerous, these shells date back to the mid 1800′s. Handle with care.
September 7th, 2010 at 7:40 pm
I think you may be asking about pinfire cartridges and shells.
September 7th, 2010 at 7:40 pm
A pinfire firearm cartridge is an obsolete type of brass cartridge in which the priming compound is ignited by striking a small pin which protrudes radially from just above the base of the cartridge.
Invented by Frenchman Casimir Lefaucheaux in 1828 but not patented until 1835, it was one of the earliest practical designs of a metallic cartridge. Its history is closely associated with the development of the breechloader which replaced muzzle-loading weapons. The latter required a percussion cap, gunpowder and a projectile or charge be loaded sequentially and packed using wadding and a ramrod. By contrast pinfire cartridges were supremely convenient in that they could contain percussion cap, powder and shot in a neat pre-loaded package which was several times faster to fire and reload and was inherently safer.