Tommies Militaria and Collectables
.320 Revolving Rifle Round – Rare Smith & Wesson Cartridge
.320 Revolving Rifle Round – Rare Smith & Wesson Cartridge
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Shipping & Returns
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Product Description
The .320 Revolving Rifle cartridge—also known as the .320 S&W Rifle or .320 S&W Revolving Rifle round—was an innovative centerfire round produced by Smith & Wesson between 1879 and 1887 for its scarce Model 320 Revolving Rifle. With only 977 rifles manufactured, ammunition in this calibre is exceptionally rare and highly prized among collectors.
Unlike most revolver cartridges of the time, the brass case was engineered to match the full length of the chamber. This eliminated excessive “bullet jump,” a common accuracy issue in revolving rifles. To achieve this, the bullet was seated unusually deep, leaving the nose nearly flush with the rim of the cartridge. This gave the round an appearance not unlike a .30 Carbine case with the projectile pressed down into the brass.
Typically, the round featured a 98–100 grain lead round-nose bullet, propelled by approximately 17 grains of black powder. It achieved a muzzle velocity of around 1,200 feet per second, producing energy levels comparable to a light .38 Special load—sufficient for close-range hunting or sporting purposes of the era.
Today, surviving .320 Revolving Rifle cartridges are valued not for performance, but for their rarity and historical significance. They are a remarkable piece of 19th-century firearms development, bridging revolver and rifle design in a uniquely American experiment.