M101 Extremely Rare .31 Crispin Rimfire Cartridge
Description: Rare example of the .31 Crispin rimfire cartridge. This highly innovative design was patented by Silas Crispin on August 8, 1865, under U.S. Patent No. 49,237 as an improvement in the priming of metallic cartridges. Although technically a rimfire cartridge, the Crispin system was highly unconventional in that the fulminate compound was not located in the base of the case but instead contained within a broad annular rim positioned near the center of the cartridge body.
This cartridge was manufactured for use in Crispin’s equally unusual revolver, patented on October 3, 1865, under U.S. Patent No. 50,224. His revolver utilized a transversely divided cylinder split into two sections that could be opened for loading and unloading. When closed, the two cylinder halves aligned and revolved together as a single unit, with the cartridge bridging the joint between the sections. The centrally located fulminating rim was positioned at this junction, allowing it to be struck by the hammer to ignite the charge. Crispin’s design was intended to simplify extraction while fully enclosing the cartridge within the cylinder for greater protection and reliability.
This unusual post-Civil War system represents one of the more creative experimental approaches developed during the transition from percussion revolvers to metallic cartridge firearms in the years immediately following the expiration of major cartridge patents.
This example remains in nice condition with a lightly oxidized bullet. The aged case has a nice patina with oxidation concentrated around the case mouth and moving rearwards on the case. An excellent example of a patented cartridge designed specifically for a patented firearm, both conceived by Silas Crispin. These .31 examples are extremely tough to find, and they rarely come up for sale!
Headstamp: None
Measures: OAL 1.135” CL .735” RD .398” HD .331” CM .327” BDaCM .320” Weight 128 Grs.
Reference: "Round Ball to Rimfire” Thomas Vol. 3, Pg. 259, No. 1100
Price: $2,950.00 UPS Shipping Required
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Ian Workman
American Civil War Relics &
Military Antiques
