The advent of smokeless powder made for a busy time. Some cartridges went smokeless. Others passed from common use.
The .32 Winchester Special was designed for black powder use after the .30 Winchester went to smokeless powder. And it was popular in some areas.
And the various .32 and .38 revolver cartridges from Colt/S&W? An old woman asking for a box of .38s can give a gun counter guy the heebie jeebies.
"What kind of .38s ma'am"?
".38 Winchester, you dummy"...
I got into an exchange like that once. Guy walked into the shop where I worked and said, "Gimme a box of 7.62 ammo."
"What kind? We've got 7.62x39, 7.62x51, 7.62x54R, and I think a couple of others."
Blank stare. Then he said, "You need to learn your guns" and walked out of the store.
I don't know whether he ever got the ammo he needed.
Okie John
