Western 38 S&W

[jim 44-40]

Have some copper colored brass with headstamp Western 38 S&W why the copper look? Could be for black powder loads

[too many things]

they most likely a {balloon } primer type . look nice but worthless and yes they were BP

[Outpost75]

The copper washed cases are solid head, but produced with a larger .120" diameter flash hole intended for loading blanks and industrial power loads. The large flash hole prevents the cases from setting back against the recoil plate in firing blanks from causing hard cylinder rotation. I have used unheadstamped (WRA-WW2 era power loads used in explosive bolts for wing-mounted ordnance) cases and later R-P production for standard pressure .38 S&W Loads with 2.5 grains of Bullseye and a soft-swaged 148-grain HBWC bullet seated out to 1.20" OAL and crimped in the top lube groove and they work just fine.

No issues, but don't "hot rod" them.

[smkummer]

I believe I saw some of those cases used for 40mm grenade launcher ammunition.