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FRANKFORD ARSENAL INTERNALLY BENET PRIMED .50-70 BALL AND BLANK CARTRIDGES - EARLY INDIAN WAR ERA CARTRIDGES ca. 1866 -1873:  The standard US Army cartridge for all the carbines and rifles (with the exception of the Spencer Arms) issued between 1866 and 1873, the .50-70 was the primary cartridge issued to the post-Civil War Frontier Army.  This historic cartridge was not only in use by the soldiers at  famous battle sites such as the Wagon Box Fight, but was also extensively used by the hide hunters during the early days of the buffalo slaughter on the plains in Kansas and Texas. 

The early production, internally primed .50-70 cartridges were never available in large quantities and as the years have passed, they are becoming harder and harder to find on the loose. 

NOTE:  On occasion, I am able to acquire the rare Frankford Arsenal Martin and Berdan primed .50-70 Ball Cartridges and Frankford Arsenal .50-70 Blank Cartridges, and when in stock, they will be listed below. 

I have the following ball service cartridges and blank cartridges in stock, each listed individually below with accompanying photographs.   

 

No. 1 .50/70 FRANKFORD ARSENAL BENET PRIMED BALL CARTRIDGE: These .50-70 Internally Primed Centre Fire Cartridges, manufactured by the Frankford Arsenal, are individual collector quality cartridges used by the soldiers during the early Indian Wars Period.  These are becoming increasingly difficult to find on the loose and soon the available stocks will be exhausted.  $30 each

 

No. 2  .50/70 FRANKFORD ARSENAL MARTIN PRIMED BALL CARTRIDGE:  Manufactured by the Frankford Arsenal, this .50-70 Martin Primed cartridge is one of the rarer Indian War cartridges of the period.  The standard cartridge design for a very short period, the cartridge case was formed with an integral primer pocket which held an internal primer, and in spite of its appearance, could not be reloaded as was possible with the Berdan primed cases.  By comparison, these Martin primed cartridges are considerably rarer than the early .45-70 Benet primed cartridges without a headstamp.  In excellent condition.  Have one in stock.  $65

 

No. 3  .50/70 FRANKFORD ARSENAL BENET INTERNALLY PRIMED BLANK CARTRIDGE:  During the Indian Wars period blank ammunition was regularly provided to the Cavalry troops, used to accustom the horses to gun fire, and to the Infantry for ceremonial occasions and funerals. The same blank cartridge was used in both the carbines and rifles. 

Manufactured at the Frankford Arsenal, these .50-70 caliber blanks were an integral component of the standard issue of ammunition to the frontier soldier and they have a rightful place in any Indian War ammunition display.  Far scarcer than the Spencer or later .45-70 blank cartridges, these are the first I have had in some time.  In excellent condition.  $55

 

 

No. 4  .50/70 BERDAN PRIMED BALL CARTRIDGE:  Another of the 19th Century loads for the .50-70, this Berdan primed cartridge is of the type that would have been used by the buffalo hunters and other frontiersmen.  This cartridge has an age crack running down from the mouth of the case, but is otherwise full form, the bullet is securely held in place with no movement, and the cartridge is still very displayable.  SOLD

 

No. 5  .50/70 BERDAN PRIMED BLANK CARTRIDGE:  The lack of a headstamp on this .50-70 Berdan primed blank cartridge suggests this was an early production cartridge, perhaps produced by Winchester under contract to the US Army.  In excellent condition.  $10

 

No. 6  .50/70 REMINGTON - UNION METALLIC CARTRIDGE CO. CONTRACT BLANK CARTRIDGE:  Produced by the Remington - UMC Co., and so headstamped, these commercial .50-70 blank cartridges were supplied under contract to the army as well as used by wild west shows, state militias, honor guards, and military schools.   In excellent condition.  $10

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

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