.45 Schofields in a rifle chambered for .45 Colt

[Colorado Coffinmaker]

Some miss-information here.  The 45 Schofield cartridge was NOT developed for use in the Colt SAA.  The rim diameter was too large for the "star" (ratched) and was incompatible.  The army found this to unacceptable as ammunition could not be shared in a fight.  Therefore, the ".45 Government" was developed for compatibility with the Schofield and SAA, so soldiers could share ammunition in a fight.    

Edited February 6 by Colorado Coffinmaker
Fixit

[H. K. Uriah, SASS #74619]

6 hours ago, Muley Gil SASS # 57795 said:

There were only two Schofield models, the difference being the shape of the latch. 

 

Only two, back in the day.

There is a 3rd version of the Schofield that came out in the year 2000.   They are variously known as Performance Center Schofields, Schofield 2000s, and Third Model Schofields.   I think the first one is the official designation, but I have seen the other two designations in various places.

[Nostrum Damus SASS #110702]

4 hours ago, Colorado Coffinmaker said:

Some miss-information here.  The 45 Schofield cartridge was NOT developed for use in the Colt SAA.  The rim diameter was too large for the "star" (ratched) and was incompatible.  The army found this to unacceptable as ammunition could not be shared in a fight.  Therefore, the ".45 Government" was developed for compatibility with the Schofield and SAA, so soldiers could share ammunition in a fight.    

No one said it was "developed for use in the Colt SAA."  It was developed for use in the Schofield First Model which was a variation of the S&W Model 3 top-break revolver.  But it definitely could be fired in a Colt SAA and often was; the reverse was not true, though, so soldiers with Schofields often found themselves without ammo when all that could be had was .45 Colt.  And, yes, beginning in 1879, Frankford Arsenal began manufacturing limited experimental lots of solid-head, reloading Caliber .45 Revolver Cartridges which could be fired in both revolvers.  After extensive tests, on July 3, 1882, the solid-head, boxer-primed, copper-cased Caliber .45 reloading cartridge was adopted as the “Model 1882 Ball Cartridge for Cal. .45 revolver.”  Apparently, all of the production of this ammunition for government use was done at Frankford Arsenal.  The die was already cast by then, however; the Colt SAA had prevailed and production of that ammunition was very limited.  The Model 1882 Ball Cartridges and their paper boxes are highly prized by cartridge collectors.  Ironically, it was also in 1882 that Schofield committed suicide while at Fort Apache, Arizona; he used a Schofield revolver to do the deed.

[Nickle]

12 hours ago, Nostrum Damus SASS #110702 said:

No one said it was "developed for use in the Colt SAA."  It was developed for use in the Schofield First Model which was a variation of the S&W Model 3 top-break revolver.  But it definitely could be fired in a Colt SAA and often was; the reverse was not true, though, so soldiers with Schofields often found themselves without ammo when all that could be had was .45 Colt.  And, yes, beginning in 1879, Frankford Arsenal began manufacturing limited experimental lots of solid-head, reloading Caliber .45 Revolver Cartridges which could be fired in both revolvers.  After extensive tests, on July 3, 1882, the solid-head, boxer-primed, copper-cased Caliber .45 reloading cartridge was adopted as the “Model 1882 Ball Cartridge for Cal. .45 revolver.”  Apparently, all of the production of this ammunition for government use was done at Frankford Arsenal.  The die was already cast by then, however; the Colt SAA had prevailed and production of that ammunition was very limited.  The Model 1882 Ball Cartridges and their paper boxes are highly prized by cartridge collectors.  Ironically, it was also in 1882 that Schofield committed suicide while at Fort Apache, Arizona; he used a Schofield revolver to do the deed.

I'm not sure if you Could fire Schofield in original 1st generation saa? The rim is bigger on Schofield.  Modern guns you can shoot either round and I'm not sure how different manufacturers achieve this but I know modern 6 shot cartridge conversion offset or changed the angle slightly of the chambers to make room for the rim. I think the 5 shot conversion has room so the chambers are not at an angle but the rim is the reason they are 5 shot?

Modern gun's like rugers are just bigger. Modern colt clones I don't know about either. 

I'm no expert about this. Don't take what I'm saying as fact.

[Muley Gil SASS # 57795]

20 hours ago, Nostrum Damus SASS #110702 said:

I didn't mean to imply that Schofield himself was a gun maker.  He worked with S&W to modify its existing Model 3 revolver.  And he was a Union  Union brevet brigadier general, not a colonel.

 

Yes, he received his brevet on January 26, 1865. Post war, however, he went back to his earlier rank. He was promoted to lieutenant colonel in December 1881.

 

Custer was a general during the War of Yankee Aggression too. But he died as a lieutenant colonel.

[Colorado Coffinmaker]

 

Yep.  Later production Colt SAA were altered to accept the larger Schofield rim as are modern made reproductions.  The Original 6 round R & D conversion cylinders were actually bored "off Axis" to allow chambering 6 45 Colt.  Most current Conversion cylinders are not, to facilitate use in converting the Colt pattern Open Top Percussion guns.

[Colorado Coffinmaker]

Most forgot.  The first iteration of the Ruger Vaquero would not accept Schofield cartridges without modifying the Ratchet (Star).

[Dusty Chaps, SASS #5925]

by the way, the Schofield round works flawlessly both in my Marlin Cowboy and Marlin early 94