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That is more or less the size of it. I've seen the odd few rounds of pinfire ammo in various calibres kicking around, years ago. I even had some, and might have the odd photo. It was made in various diameters for revolvers, from very small (I've seen 6mm, and heard of smaller) up to about 15mm. Shotgun shells too. I think the smaller calibres would be a mite fiddly to put the cap into, but a 12 mm or 15 mm would give a bit more room. The rounds for revolvers that I've seen had a very simple case - no more than a cup drawn into a cylindrical shape, with no rim or extractor groove, in thin copper or copper alloy. I don't entirely know how the primers were fixed in place, but I suspect it was with the use of some sort of gum or wax to hold it in position against the side of the case, with the pin protruding. I wouldn't be surprised to find that the pin was held in place by gum or wax too, both to hold it in position and to make the rounds weather resistant. All the rounds I've seen still had the pin, even well over a century after they were made.

I've always rather wondered about handling the stuff too. It does seem a bit hairy with the pin sticking out. You probably wouldn't want to drop it. It was popular for a time though, and there were some nice pieces made to fire it.

Liking the looks of that! Might have to adopt a brother though. You recall if any powder was used in the charge or was it strictly primer powered?

Dan_Oz, the pinfire thing sounds interesting but I’m going to need to rise up and get my Looney PHD before I wander down that path.

Hey Digital, if you're bored beyond standing on your head on the bottom of the Mississippi River stacking greasy BBs, get you the rattiest old gun stock you can find, I mean UGLY with a capital U, and commenced to making saw dust. Sand that thing and apply your favorite oil repeating until it looks beautiful. I find this to be my therapy of choice when I've hit rock bottom of the boredom scale. Then again, I'm wierd. I'm what you might call a "Mega Looney."

Strictly primer powered. Grand dad would let us shoot rats around his hog pens with this load in his little S&W Hand Ejector. I guess he thought us kids and his hogs were safe enough - but in hindsight I am sure it would have killed any of us.

Dan,

The .32 ACP load was a 00 buckshot with 3.0 grains of Unique. In a Beretta Tomcat it functioned very reliably, and got around 850 fps, with accuracy similar to jacketed bullet loads. (Of course, the Tomcat is not known as a target pistol....)

Just a thought there a quite a few POS rifles and shotguns out there which can be gotten for free due to their stellar condition (please note use of the sarcasm font).

There can be a good bit fun to be had in taking a firearms destined for the dump and dropping many hours and a few bucks into getting it into useable shape. I saw a thread on a Surplus Rifles forum (milsurps.com I think) years ago where a gentleman took a rusted up old falling block and got it back into shooting shape. Part of the process was for him to create a reverse electroplate system to pull all the rust off the rifle.

One of the 1860s Snider - Enfield conversions in .577 snider would be really interesting, or perhaps more exotic one of the "indian trade guns" made for the SN .577

Good luck in your search for the next project Dan.

Thanks GRF, I'm getting some ideas here. I have restored a couple of guns to functioning condition though not from appearance. Always thought looks took a back seat to function.

Mule Deer, thanks for that. Never handled a Tomcat, but none of my pistols are target guns either. Somehow they still hit paper once in awhile. I would not have thought it would take 3 gr of powder to get to that velocity threshold, but there be a lot of things I don't know.

I tried it while doing an article on handloading the .32 ACP, which mostly involved jacketed bullets. Wanted a cheap practice round with about the same POI as the other handloads (and factory ammo), and that's what worked! In fact was kind of surprised by how well it worked!

Mr Dan, Take your best rifle that uses Holy Black, balls or bullets and even smokeless as a chase and go to a rifle match at least 500 miles from your base. You need to win that match to rescue your soul! (keep going until you win)

Last time I drove to a match I was on the road for 6 weeks. Drove out to Cody for a slug gun/picket rifle match. Even passed thru your neck of the woods on the way. Great trip it was, but I only garnered 3d in the slug gun match and 2d with the picket rifle. Those boys out west don't miss a trick....wind was blowing 15-20 full value....it's a bit of a learning experience plinkin' in wind like that with a 200 yd target.

Wow....this stuff could turn into one of those genesis legends before you know it!

Geez. Now I'm casting about for a buckshot mold. 00 for sure. Is there a buckshot size that correlates to .22? Thinking maybe trying my hand at making my own BB caps (see earlier reference to primed .22 brass in my possession). That or a BB-Hornet load. I bet Mr. Kilbourn would smile. Hovering carpenter bees at 20 paces best beware.

just a thought DD make you a ss hand gun or rifle or muzzle loader

Devil and details showed up, now I'm thinking about it. Pigs are squealin' in the swamps.

You posted while I pondered. I'm thinking a pistol barrel for the Contender might have a use. Much to consider here. The .32's might find another home.

A bit less ambitious, and decidedly low-tech, but I've sent a bunch of stinkbugs on to the "next level" with a cutoff carbon arrow and airsoft pellets, pea-shooter style, while sitting on my front porch. One second they're there, and then.... gone!

Some of us just never grow up.

My condolences.

May you return to interesting times.

That is really good shooting. I have not read though all the suggestions so this may have already been suggested. You must have several friends who has a rifle or two that need some attention in order to become a great shooting rifle. You have the knowledge and each of those rifles would be a unique situation.

This would be a good way for you to entertain yourself and spread your knowledge.

Perspective on my community if you will? One of the oldest populations in Florida, quite conservative and they know everything. They also have more firearms than the USMC. Lot of possibilities no doubt but the biggest hurdle is giving them the Looney Virus-35. If it shoots they are satisfied for the most part