Description
Physical description
Brass case with round nosed heel type lead bullet.
History note
Introduced in late 1869 in the Smith & Wesson Model No. 3 revolver, the company's first top break, hinged frame centrefire revolver, and the first conventional centrefire handgun made in the United States. Typically for a first generation centrefire pistol cartridge, it employs a heel type externally lubricated bullet. Wishing to replace its ageing percussion muzzle loading revolvers, in 1870 the United States Army tested both the 'American' and a single shot .50 Remington Rolling Block pistol, favouring the latter, at least for units stationed in the East, in anticipation of European style combat. Limited issue was given to the 'American', however, 1,000 having been purchased by the US Government in 1871, it being issued, sometimes alongside other revolvers, to cavalry Regiments 1st to 7th between 1872 and 1876, some being in use at the Battle of the Little Big Horn. Modest quantities were purchased by the Argentine and Cuba. The revolver and cartridge came to the notice of Russia, however, according to legend after the Czar had used one for the sport of 'buffalo running', riding alongside a stampeding herd and shooting at point blank range. Improved slightly into the .44 Model No.3 Russian and .44 Russian cartridge (which began using an externally lubricated heel type bullet, but developed into an internally lubricated type), it became in 1871 the general issue primary arm of all non-Cossack cavalry. This occurred at a time of much debate as to the role and armament of cavalry. The term 'American' does not seem to have come into use until c. 1874, to differentiate this cartridge and revolver from the increasingly popular .44 Russian.
Headstamp
.ELEY.//44 S&W