32 Special 32-40????

[Camper]

I have 2 shells I found with a head stamp 32 Special and comparing them to new/factory 32 win spl rounds they have a significantly less taper and the rim is different. looking in my reloading manual are closer to a 32-40. My question is, did the 32-40 ever have a head stamp “32 Special”? These rounds are factory as far as I can tell. Thanks

 

[vagrantviking]

32-40 brass is tough to find but can be formed from 30-30, 32 special or 38-55 so you might find miss-marked cases.

32-40 is a very tapered case as compared to a typical bottle neck with a distinct shoulder. It looks like a big 22hornet. Sounds like you have something different.

32 special is very similar to 30-30 with a fatter bullet.

 

[Snider shooter]

A reloader likely reformed the cases. Not hard to do with proper tools. Most times you can’t tell reloads from factory.

 

[Camper]

Okay. Thanks. They must be reloads with a fire formed case.

 

[Ganderite]

Less taper suggests a 32SPL Ackley Improved.