Dead Calibers started in 2016, created by Anders E.T. Herzberg as a standalone project to document the history and development of various small arms cartridges. From handgun to rifle, popular to obscure wildcat cartridges, Dead Calibers seeks to preserve the history of these often overlooked and forgotten chamberings.
Each caliber in the Dead Calibers Archive is listed with a condition, denoting how popular and easy to find it is. More information on the classifications that we use is listed below.
Today the project lives on here at Cap & Ball and will continue to expand and grow. If you have any suggestions or information on a cartridge or caliber that you’d like to see featured in Dead Calibers, email us at [email protected]
Condition A Fascinating Yet Flawed Oddity In the vast world of unusual ammunition, strange and unusual peaks my interest. The .357 Magnum multiball loading is one such case. One that sent me digging deeper into the history of the concept. At first glance, the concept of firing multiple projectiles from
Condition The “Battle Rifle” Caliber Few cartridges in modern history have proven as versatile—or as enduring—as 7.62x51mm NATO. First introduced in the 1950s, this .30-caliber powerhouse quickly became a go-to round for militaries worldwide, serving in rifles, machine guns, and later specialized sniper platforms. At the same time, civilian shooters
Condition A Step in Early Firearms Design Few ammunition designs capture the spirit of 19th-century inventiveness quite like the Pinfire Cartridge. Long before centerfire and rimfire ammo dominated the marketplace, this unusual design helped push firearms toward a breechloading future. Created by French gunsmith Casimir Lefaucheux in 1832 (and patented
Condition 9x18mm Ultra: The Overlooked German Cartridge The 9x18mm Ultra—later also known as 9x18mm Police—may not be as famous as 9×19mm Luger or as widely produced as .380 ACP, but this unique round has a storied past that deserves greater recognition. Conceived in 1936 for Germany’s wartime Luftwaffe and revived
A popular and actively in production caliber. Easy to find both firearms and ammunition.
A strong contender but currently overshadowed by other cartridges. Ammo and firearms are still available, but selections have declined.
Limited in both options for firearms and ammunition. Guns chambered in this round will either be limited in selection or out of production. Ammunition may be limited to few or only a handful of manufacturers.
Completely out of production for both firearms and ammunition. Most firearms may be collectors’ items. Ammunition will be limited to only handloading options though brass and bullets may still be available.
