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FRANKFORD ARSENAL COPPER EXTERNALLY PRIMED .45/70
CARTRIDGES - CARBINE AND RIFLE - HEADSTAMPED "C" AND "R":
These externally
primed copper .45/70 cartridges were manufactured at the
Frankford Arsenal and have
clear, legible headstamps. Depending on the date
of manufacture, the earlier dated versions are stamped
"C" or "R" in the “F R or C Month Year”
format, while in the production of the later dated
cartridges in this series the arsenal omitted the "C"
and "R" due to the obvious difference in the cartridges. These very nice early Indian War era cartridges
will add significantly when displayed in a Prairie
Belt, Woven Mills Belt, or a Cartridge Box in your
collection.
I have the
following cartridges
in stock, and each is listed and priced individually below with
accompanying photographs.
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No. 1
FRANKFORD ARSENAL EXTERNALLY PRIMED CARBINE CARTRIDGE -
HEADSTAMPED "C" -
VARIOUS DATES:
Externally primed Frankford
Arsenal .45/70 copper cartridge with the scarce "C"
carbine headstamp. In excellent condition, with
various headstamp dates.
SOLD
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No. 2
FRANKFORD ARSENAL EXTERNALLY PRIMED CARBINE CARTRIDGE -
W/O "C" HEADSTAMP -
VARIOUS DATES:
Externally primed Frankford
Arsenal .45/70 Carbine copper cartridge without the "C"
headstamp which was omitted as unnecessary due to the
obvious difference between the rifle and carbine
cartridges. In excellent condition, with various
headstamp dates. $20
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No. 3
FRANKFORD ARSENAL EXTERNALLY PRIMED LONG RANGE RIFLE
2.4" 45-80 CARTRIDGE -
VERY SCARCE:
These externally primed Frankford
Arsenal .45-80 cartridges were loaded in a 2.4" long
case to allow for a larger powder charge in order to
provide a long range cartridge for the soldiers.
Manufactured and issued in limited quantities, these
Long Range cartridges are fairly scarce. In
excellent condition, with various headstamp dates.
SOLD OUT
No. 4
FRANKFORD ARSENAL PACKET FOR THE EXTERNALLY PRIMED LONG RANGE RIFLE
2.4" 45-80 CARTRIDGES -
VERY RARE PACKET w/ FULL LABELS:
The Frankford Arsenal packet for
the externally primed Frankford
Arsenal .45-80 cartridges. The 2.4" long
case accommodated the a larger powder charge in order to
provide a long range cartridge for the soldiers.
Manufactured and issued in limited quantities, the
Long Range cartridges are fairly scarce, and these
packets are almost non-existent on the collector's
market.
This is one of several different
styles of packets of these long range cartridges
produced by Frankford Arsenal. The top and front
labels are fully legible. The packet has seen some
wear through the years, but both top and bottom sections
are complete. Several of the edges have been
nicely repaired, but not in such a way as to detract
from the appearance and there is none of the dreaded
clear tape so often seen. The internal dividers
are intact and one of the Frankford Arsenal Long Range
.45-80 Cartridges is included with the packet.
Given the rarity of these packets
and the scarcity of the cartridges themselves, this
would be a nice packet to add to your Indian War
collection.
SOLD
 
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No. 5
FRANKFORD ARSENAL EXTERNALLY PRIMED RIFLE CARTRIDGE -
HEADSTAMPED "R" -
VARIOUS DATES:
Externally primed Frankford
Arsenal .45/70 copper cartridge with the earlier "R"
carbine headstamp. In excellent condition, with
various headstamp dates. $25
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No.
6
FRANKFORD ARSENAL EXTERNALLY PRIMED
RIFLE CARTRIDGE - W/O "R" HEADSTAMP -
VARIOUS DATES:
Externally primed Frankford
Arsenal .45/70 Rifle copper cartridge without the "R"
headstamp which was omitted as unnecessary due to the
obvious difference between the rifle and carbine
cartridges. In excellent condition, with various
headstamp dates. $20
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No.
7 FRANKFORD ARSENAL
EXTERNALLY PRIMED .45/70 CARBINE AND RIFLE "PATTERN
1886" MORSE
CARTRIDGE: The Morse Cartridge is one of the
scarcer, and certainly one of, if not the most,
unusual of the Indian Wars Era Frankford Arsenal .45-70
cartridges.
Also known within the Ordnance Department as the Pattern
1886 Cartridge, this cartridge was developed and
patented by George W. Morse. The outstanding feature
was a separate base insert or plug held in place with a
pressure fit black rubber gasket. The plug included the
primer and this cartridge case was intended to be
reloaded by the soldiers at the local unit level,
employing the standard issue Frankford Arsenal reloading
set with the addition of some supplemental tools. The
cartridge was loaded with the standard 500 grain bullet
and 70 grains of powder.
The "Pattern 1886"
Morse Cartridge was subsequently replaced in 1887
with - strangely enough - the "Pattern 1887" Morse
Cartridge. The change in the designation was
the result of a slight modification of the cartridge
which is believed to have resulted in a minor
increase in the thickness of the wall of the
removable base. This was strictly an internal
alteration and from all external appearances, save
for the headstamp, the Pattern 1886 and Pattern 1887
cartridges are identical. The Pattern 1887
Cartridges are headstamped "F 2 87".
Just why this design caught the attention of the
Ordnance Department, and why it was considered a viable
alternative to the standard externally primed,
reloadable cartridges being produced at Frankford at the
same time, is frankly beyond me. The fact is, the
design was adopted – concurrent with other cartridge
designs – and a considerable number were produced during
the following two years. In spite of the production,
these are quite scarce today and do not show up very
often, making these Morse Cartridges an interesting
variant to add to your Indian War Cartridge collection.
(0608) $55
I currently have cartridges with the 1886 and 1887
headstamps in stock - please specify your preference
when ordering.
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No.
8 FRANKFORD ARSENAL EXTERNALLY PRIMED .45/70 CARBINE
AND RIFLE BLANK CARTRIDGE: During the
Indian Wars period blank ammunition
was regularly provided to the Cavalry troops, used to
accustom the horses to gun fire, and to the Infantry for
ceremonial occasions and funerals. The same blank
cartridge was used in both the carbines and rifles, with
no regard for the headstamps. Manufactured at the Frankford
Arsenal, these blanks were an integral component of the
standard issue of ammunition to the frontier soldier and
have a rightful place in any Indian War ammunition
display. In excellent condition, headstamped "F
2 85". $20
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No.
9
FRANKFORD ARSENAL EXTERNALLY PRIMED RIFLE CARTRIDGE -
W/O "R" HEADSTAMP - FIRING PIN STRUCK:
Externally primed Frankford
Arsenal .45/70 Rifle copper cartridge without the "R"
headstamp. An attempt was made to fire this
cartridge, evidenced by the firing pin strike.
Headstamped as shown in the photo below, this would
still make good cartridges for a display. $12
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