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 Cut Shells – A Depression Era Trick If you’re anything like me you have a strong fascination with historical ingenuity—especially when it comes to resourceful ways of enhancing shotgun performance on a shoestring budget. Cut shells epitomize just such an approach: a Depression-era technique for crafting a makeshift slug
Condition The Same Idea Just Too Late The competitive and inventive world of the International Practical Shooting Confederation has produced a number of wildcat cartridges. However, the 9x25mm Super Auto G, or as it’s unofficially called the 9×25 Super Auto Grillmeyer is probably one of the least known ones, as
Condition Potential, but With Fierce Competition The 9×23 Winchester cartridge was created out of the crucible of the International Practical Shooting Confederation (IPSC). IPSC shooters demand flat shooting, reliable, rounds that can be easily controlled and compensated to allow for fast, accurate follow up shots. In the mid 90’s a
Condition Millsurp Shooter The 7.62x25mm Tokarev was created out of the desire to create a Russian version of the venerable 7.63×25 Mauser round. The Tsarist Army and later the Red Army both utilized the German round in many conflicts. During joint operations with the Weimar Republic during the 1920’s the
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.
