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June 6, 2019
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I have a Winchester model 1885 in caliber 45 Eley. The gun was made in 1905. The Chamber is the size of a 45 Nitro Express. Can anyone tell me what kind of ammunition Winchester had in mind for a 45 Eley rifle in 1905? Was this rifle intended for a black powder cartridge or a for a Nitro Express cartridge. Did Winchester have any catalogs in 1905 that would describe the 45 Eley Cartridge. All help in identifying this ammunition will be greatly appreciated.
April 15, 2005
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Hello Gordon,
Winchester did not manufacture any 45 Eley or 450 Nitro Express cartridges even though they manufactured the rifles for that caliber/cartridge. Early rifles made for the 45 Eley were black powder, but by 1905, I suspect that the Eley cartridges were loaded with Cordite.
WACA Historian & Board of Director Member #6571L
