Military Carbine - .43 Spanish or just Maybe......

[Yellowhouse]

Buddy has an early carbine in the 300 serial range. Patent dates on tang and the LOWER is longer than the upper. No other markings.

Been in family for many years and it was just assumed that it was 43 Spanish. But this joker grooves out at .451 which puts it in the 44-77 range. I don't see any references to 43 Span bore diam all over the place like the 44-77 but I suppose it was possible.

I'm thinking that being that early, Rem made up some 44-77 carbines. Also, I remember the Spanish didn't like that caliber/load and wanted their own.

See no reference to carbines in 44-77 in what books I have. What do you think guys?

[marlinman93]

I think it's a good one to do a chamber cast on! Get some Cerrosafe out, and confirm what it is. Maybe it's something really rare!

[Yellowhouse]

Course, as you know, the only difference between the two is chamber/bore size. A 44-77 loaded with a .446 GG bullet falls right in and fires just like it was made for it. Its a 44-77 for all practical purposes.

[marlinman93]

Well no, they aren't quite the same. As you mentioned the bullet diameter is significantly larger on the .44-77, which means the casting will measure with a larger neck diameter. If you slugged the bore you could also get the same answer as doing a chamber casting, but the chamber cast will give you the whole case dimension (with neck size) and the bore dimension at the throat.

[Yellowhouse]

Know what you mean. The chamber on this rifle matches a 44-77. Neck diam, etc.