#44 • Winchester .50 Government Carbine Shot Cartridge

Part of Antique Ammunition Online Auction (timed auction by Linkous Auction Group)

High bid $7.00

Status: Sold

Single antique .50 Government Carbine shot cartridge manufactured by the Winchester Repeating Arms Company, a uniquely unusual variant of the standard .50 caliber government carbine round loaded with shot rather than a solid bullet. The .50 Gov't Carbine was used primarily in the Springfield Model 1865 and similar trapdoor carbines issued to U.S. cavalry troops in the post-Civil War frontier period, and the shot-loaded version was intended for small game hunting by soldiers in the field. The cartridge features a short, wide brass case head stamped "W.R.A. Co. 50 CARB." around a centerfire primer, with a domed brass cup crimped over the mouth to retain the shot payload, the whole round showing a rich aged patina consistent with its 19th century origins. Cartridge measurements are OAL 1.33in MW .51in