Z8194 .40-40 Maynard Cartridge, M1867, Mead’s Explosive Bullet
Description: Rare example of the .40-40 Maynard rifle "Big Cap” cartridge. This is a scarce cartridge by itself. What makes this rarer is the fact that it has a Mead’s Patent Explosive bullet. These cartridges were sold by the Massachusetts Arms Company of Chicopee Falls, Massachusetts. Dr. Edward Maynard was awarded US Patent No. 61, 225 dated January 15, 1867, for an improvement in priming metallic cartridges.
These cartridges have a drawn brass case which is soldered to a thick brass rim. The primer, known as the "Big Cap” is made of copper. There is an insert on the inside of the cap with a perforated center that holds the fulminate pellet in place. The cap is press fit over the thick rim holding the cap in place.
This example has a .40 cylindrical bullet with a Mead’s Patent Explosive Tip Bullet. Samuel H. Mead was awarded US Patent No. 133,714 on December 10, 1872, for an improvement in explosive bullets.
This cartridge shows one of these bullets. The patent states, "The nature of my invention consists in casting or pressing an elongated bullet, A, with a cylindrical cavity, into which is pressed an ordinary self-igniting cartridge, B, of any of the usual patterns, loaded, but without its bullet, so that its projecting rim D will be just above the top of the bullet A; thus the whole will explode on being fired against any hard substance, as wood or bone.
This example is in nice shape with a dark patina and spotting on both the case and cap. The bullet is lightly oxidized. A very rare Maynard explosive tip cartridge. This is the 2nd one of these I have had to offer.
Headstamp: None
Measures: OAL 2.467” CL 1.820” RD .770” HD .453” CM .448” BDaCM .408”
Reference: "The History and Development of Small Arms Ammunition” Hoyem Vol. 4 Pg. 9
Reference: "Dr. Edward Maynard’s Cartridges” Murphy Pg. 59
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American Civil War Relics &
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