Here's an Odd One

[Bent Ramrod]

The Hensley & Gibbs 79 31. Found it at a gun show recently and took it home thinking it was perhaps a gas-check express boolit for hot, +P+ self-defense loads for the .32 S&W or Colt Short.



However, on researching the numbers, I find it was made as a boolit for .31 caliber cap&ball revolvers. What I thought was a "gas check shank" is a taper allowing it easy entry into the chambers. They made a .36 caliber version and then cut a cherry for this version in 1944. I can't imagine that they wore that one out; what kind of demand for boolits for obsolete pocket revolvers would there be in the postwar era?

I usually don't like calling bullets "pills," but if ever one deserved the name, it's this one.

Maybe I ought to dust off my ASM Baby Dragoon and wring them out.

[Kosh75287]

I wonder if it might work in .32 ACP. I guess the right sizer would be the issue.

[georgewxxx]

#79 - "For Cap and Ball Revolvers" (Percussion). Available in .31 cal, .36 cal. and .44 cal. First cherry made February, 1941. The.36 cal version .375 length=95 grains pure lead, the .44 cal version .450 length= 150grains pure lead. Made to take the place of a round ball, for better sealing of chamber. Taper base. Two deep grease grooves, slight semi wadcutter shoulder, round nose. First .31 caliber cherry made June 25, 1944.

https://www.hensleygibbs.com/casting...uld%20List.htm

[MUSTANG]

Dixie Gunworks back in the 1970 to 1980's used to carry a .31 Cap and Ball Pocket and "Sherrifs Model if my memory is correct.

[gwpercle]

Sounds like the perfect excuse to get that nifty little Uberti 1849 Pocket 31 cal. Cap & Ball revolver or maybe the
Uberti 1849 Wells Fargo pocket model ... they are both ...SWEET !
Gary

[Mk42gunner]

Sounds like the perfect excuse to get that nifty little Uberti 1849 Pocket 31 cal. Cap & Ball revolver or maybe the
Uberti 1849 Wells Fargo pocket model ... they are both ...SWEET !
Gary

I've got the Wells Fargo (no loading lever) model. If you plan to shoot it as a C&B gun, get the one with a loading lever.

Nice to shoot, nice to carry, PITA to load. A great candidate for a cartridge conversion though, one of these years.

Robert