Need help Figuring out the calibre on a pistol

Skorenzy

Skorenzy

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Greetings all,

This little pistol was found in an old hotel safe; it's a belgium British Bulldog with the ELG/star proof on it and manufactured by Clement Arms Co. It's a .32 of some kind, the cylander is 1.075" long and the chamber at the loading end measures .347" in diameter and it necks down to approx. .317" (I have the measurements and calipers at home).

Any Cartrige buffs out there know of the top of their head what this may be? I can get more information if required when I get home from work today.

Thanks
 
Sounds a lot like the .320 centrefire :yingyang: , and is definitely an "acceptable" antique calibre....:wave:


That .317-size is the give-away, and IMHO why the cartridge is not a .32 colt (which has a .312 diameter, IIRC).
 
Skorenzy said:
Awesome, Thanks for the input. I'll double-check the measurement on the end of the chamber just to make sure. The .32 colt is a .312, it's the same as my rimfire.
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My pleasure.



I've received an RCMP antique-status letter for my .320 Liege bulldog :yingyang: , no problem....:wave:


The nice thing is that .32 short-colt brass will chamber in a .320 centrefire revolver - but again and due to the .317-size , it's a wholly different cartridge & calibre, as anyone who's tried to shoot some .312 bullets in an 8mm St. Etienne .328 barrel can realte-to !
 
Looks like I'll have some fun trying to put a reload together for this one... I've never had to get an RCMP Antique-Status Letter before; what's involved and is it a "Must do" in order to legally use this thing?

Thanks
 
cyclone said:
Sounds a lot like the .320 centrefire :yingyang: , and is definitely an "acceptable" antique calibre....:wave:


That .317-size is the give-away, and IMHO why the cartridge is not a .32 colt (which has a .312 diameter, IIRC).
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X2

And i just aquired .32 short colt ammo and needs to be modified cause is too big of a bullet. Strange as have fired some before out of a .320 Belgian. So as stated.. It was not designed for it. Apparently there were few different .320 designs that varied in size. But they are definitely not designed for no go caliber. Such as .32 SC or 32 s&w.
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Skorenzy said:
Looks like I'll have some fun trying to put a reload together for this one... I've never had to get an RCMP Antique-Status Letter before; what's involved and is it a "Must do" in order to legally use this thing?

Thanks
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The letter is not a "must" :yingyang: , but could be useful if someone 'in authority' ever wrongfully claims that it is a restricted firearm and needs to be stored/transported as such....:wave:


Here are two RCMP-CFC telephone numbers that may be of use to call, so as to obtain a letter confirming your revolver's antique status.


1-800-731-4000- 5405


1-800-731-4000- 1065
 
This thing is proving to be something of an annoyance, when I put the calipers on the end of the chambers they measure between .314" - .317" (depending on which one I grab)... Does anyone know of a better way to figure this out?
 
Skorenzy said:
This thing is proving to be something of an annoyance, when I put the calipers on the end of the chambers they measure between .314" - .317" (depending on which one I grab)... Does anyone know of a better way to figure this out?
Click to expand...

Get a larger lead ball (00 Buck is nominally .33") lube it well and push it through the cylinder with a brass (not wood) rod. Do this for each chamber, and get the barrel while you're at it. you can then measure the buckshot with a mic or calipers.

J
 
Skorenzy said:
This thing is proving to be something of an annoyance, when I put the calipers on the end of the chambers they measure between .314" - .317" (depending on which one I grab)... Does anyone know of a better way to figure this out?
Click to expand...

i have a couple of .320 revolvers and i came up with the same measurements the cylinders seem to have a bit of a oval shape my guess would be because
of wear.
 
Yep - as said, slug the chambers and barrel, it'll work way better for figuring things out. Sometimes you discover something interesting :p

Also you can wax cast the chambers for an idea of how they're shaped. It's more finicky than cerrosafe, but also a lot easier as I have wax and string at home :p
 
I ran some lead through the chambers and the barrel, put the calipers on and they are consistantly around the .316" ~ .317" - I'm willing to wager it's the .320

I like the idea of casting the chambers in wax, I may do that for fun...

Thanks for your help
 
Very cool figuring out these old pistols and shooting them. I have a C Clement revolver in 450 have not shot it yet, need to find some shootable 450 or wait til I move to get my reloading bench setup again. Have fun with yours.
 
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