45-70 Brass looks different

[mr-natural]

Somewhere some years ago I came into possession of a small amount of 45-70 brass (non-magnetic metal?) that is just a shade off from brass of known origin. Some are stamped WCC - 45-70 GOV and weigh about 158 grains, the others are marked WCC 45-70 MK1 - 1943 and weigh about 147 grain. Winchester brass weights about 168 grains and my R-P brass weights about 186 grains. Does anyone know what this stuff is and should I use it to reload. It looks sound enough for loading light loads for my 1884 trapdoor - wouldn't load hot. Comments??

[Hamish]

If that doesn't make you ill, nothing will!

[Beagle333]

Thanks for that post, PB. I learned something!:veryconfu (again!) 8-)

[mr-natural]

Thank you Mr. Bluster. That's great information. I had never heard of these guns. Do you know anything about the WCC 45-70 GOV brass and do you think this brass is safe to reload with BP?

[Bob Busetti]

Brought a bunch of the fired cases home from the Navy. Worked great in my 86.

[Artful]

Looks like a normal case - check see they are 2.105" long and if so you should be good to go.

looks like they finally phased out the 45-70 for 308 line throwers
https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-3zpWQmrBoKQ/TX066IUrhPI/AAAAAAAAAzU/ZSrZAB9LuZs/s1600/navy-line-throwing-gun.jpg

Jeez even the little 223
http://www.thefirearmblog.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2009/04/serverp.jpg

How about a nice springfield version
http://i26.photobucket.com/albums/c127/twisteduppretzel/1499541_10151812566377097_247391418_n1_zps81a948ef .jpg
Makes me wonder where all those trapdoors went too. Barrel too short for civilian sale.

well maybe not
http://navco.jalbum.net/Bridger-Line-Throwing-Gun-Kits/slides/CG85%20FULL%20SIZE.jpg
http://www.navalcompany.com/

[Mk42gunner]

The one person that can stand in the open and not get shot at by the line gunner during unrep is the one wearing the red hard hat, because he has a rifle too, and just may shoot back.

The .45-70 line throwing projectile was a steel rod roughly 18" long with a rubber pad on the end, they were before my time for operational use, but I bet they hurt when someone was stupid enough to stand in the way.

The MK87 MOD 1 that was used on the M-14 had a rubber projectile that weighed about one pound. I know they hurt, a guy on my first ship got hit on the forearm by one; it raised a welt about half the size of a fist halfway between his elbow and wrist.

Robert

[fouronesix]

I heard or read that 4759 was the smokeless used for the later 45-70 line throwing blanks???

[Frank46]

When I was a guest of uncle sam's navy they used what looked like a single shot rifle much like the previous pics. When we did our westpac cruise some of the jokers on our ship when doing high lining for supplies and other goodies would wait until all the lines had been taken in and just after we did a high speed breakaway would lob potatoes at the supply ship. I was standing back aft on the fantail watching all the goings on when the potatoes landed on the supply ship. Course the ones that didn't break up went returned with gusto. Master at arms was running around trying to catch the mikey throwers. Frank

[GOPHER SLAYER]

I was in the U.S Navy in the early fifties and stationed at the North Island Naval Air Station boat house. When a ship was coming in to dock at pier Able, which was close by, I could see the man on deck firing the line gun and it really staggered the guy. I was told that the man who was willing to shoot the line gun got to got on liberty first. I don't know if true or not.

[Geezer in NH]

My fire department used H&R line throwing guns. The Deptment ran out of charges but had cases of line. The Chief knew I was a shooter and asked for help.

I made a load with new Winchester cases and hard to find in MA black powder. My loads worked as good as the originals I used 2FFg and an 1/8" hard card wad. They do not get shot much but still work today 30 years latter.

[BAGTIC]

Were these line throwing guns rifled or smoothbore?

Is it possible they were exempt from minimum barrel length requirements as are signal devices and stud drivers, nail guns?

[Geezer in NH]

Were these line throwing guns rifled or smoothbore?

Is it possible they were exempt from minimum barrel length requirements as are signal devices and stud drivers, nail guns? Smooth and not a firearm as it was a tool and when owned by .gov it makes no difference as the dept would not be charged. Way it is