American Civil War Relics Catalog

.31 Volcanic Self-Contained Cartridge

Item #: Z8179

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Z8179 .31 Volcanic Self-Contained Cartridge

Description: Very nice .31 caliber Volcanic No. 1 cartridge. These were used in conjunction with the Volcanic Repeating Arms No. 1 pistols. This example is in excavated condition and is in Excellent shape. The iron disc has rusted which accounts for the blob of rust on the back end of the cartridge.

This style of cartridge was an improvement over the earlier Hunt & Jennings design, which was patented on August 10, 1848, as Patent No. 5,701. On January 22, 1856, Horace Smith & Daniel Wesson were awarded Patent No. 14,147 for an improvement in primers. Unlike the Hunt & Jennings cartridge, the Volcanic cartridges used a steel disc under the cork wafer with the fulminate located in the middle. Later, a copper cap was added, with the last version using a brass cap.

These cartridges were packaged in a tin consisting of two rows of 100 separated by thin pasteboard sheet. Depending on the tin, the labels would be on the outside of the lid or under the lid. These cartridges only come in two sizes. The No. 1 was .31 caliber, and the No. 2 was .41 caliber. A nice early cartridge with ties to both Smith & Wesson and Winchester!

Measures: D .332” OAL .637”

Reference: "Round Ball to Rimfire” Thomas Vol. 3 No. 1047-1049

Recovered: Unknown

(Sold)

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Ian Workman

American Civil War Relics & Military Antiques