EXTREMELY RARE BOX OF ELY BROS. LIMITED LONDON .41 SHORT CENTRAL FIRE CARTRIDGES.

EXTREMELY RARE BOX OF ELY BROS. LIMITED LONDON .41 SHORT CENTRAL FIRE CARTRIDGES. Cal. .41 Short CF. This extremely rare 50 round box was produced in England, especially for the 2nd Model Colt Deringer which was made to shoot them. Less than 10 guns are known and even fewer boxes of ammunition. In regards to why Center Fire cartridges are used in English market Colt Deringer it is apparent from Baron Von Oppen’s letter to Colt in Hartford on May 7, 1870: he states there was a problem with RF Cartridges. The shells referred to were being made by Ely Bros., London. He state that early on their RF “the explosion bulges out the base if the cartridge so that the shoulder or flange becomes round, offering no hold to the extractor,” Probably caused by an excessive amount of powder; this was later corrected. Von Oppen experimented with altering the Deringer to CF, and then eventually ordered improved RF cartridges from Union Metallic Cartridge Co. This solved the problem. This letter explains the rarity of Ely Bros early style RF cartridges and also their .41 cal CF cartridges. It also explains why there are so few CF Colt #2 Models fitted for CF shells. NOTE: This letter is quoted on pp.109 of Parson’s Deringer book. PROVENANCE: James Hollem Collection, L.D. Eberhart Collection. CONDITION: This extremely rare box of Ely’s .410 (which was their standard for .41 Cal) has label marked “Ely’s Waterproof Central Fire Cartridges Made Expressly for Colt’s Deringer and Other Pistols”. The bottom of the label says “Ely Bros, Limited Manufacturers, London”. Label has some of the lower edges, probably no more than 1-2 mm missing but none of the lettering is absent. Part of the sealing tape is missing and shows wear. These boxes are extremely rare and are even rarer than the Colt’s 2nd Model that they were made for. 4-47495 DE108 (5,000-8,000)

Auction: Firearms - Spring 2013

Please Note: All prices include the hammer price plus the buyer’s premium, which is paid by the buyer as part of the purchase price. The prices noted here after the auction are considered unofficial and do not become official until after the 46th day.

Image	Lot	Price	Description
	2109	$8,625.00	EXTREMELY RARE BOX OF ELY BROS. LIMITED LONDON .41 SHORT CENTRAL FIRE CARTRIDGES. Cal. .41 Short CF. This extremely rare 50 round box was produced in England, especially for the 2nd Model Colt Deringer which was made to shoot them. Less than 10 guns are known and even fewer boxes of ammunition. In regards to why Center Fire cartridges are used in English market Colt Deringer it is apparent from Baron Von Oppen’s letter to Colt in Hartford on May 7, 1870: he states there was a problem with RF Cartridges. The shells referred to were being made by Ely Bros., London. He state that early on their RF “the explosion bulges out the base if the cartridge so that the shoulder or flange becomes round, offering no hold to the extractor,” Probably caused by an excessive amount of powder; this was later corrected. Von Oppen experimented with altering the Deringer to CF, and then eventually ordered improved RF cartridges from Union Metallic Cartridge Co. This solved the problem. This letter explains the rarity of Ely Bros early style RF cartridges and also their .41 cal CF cartridges. It also explains why there are so few CF Colt #2 Models fitted for CF shells. NOTE: This letter is quoted on pp.109 of Parson’s Deringer book. PROVENANCE: James Hollem Collection, L.D. Eberhart Collection. CONDITION: This extremely rare box of Ely’s .410 (which was their standard for .41 Cal) has label marked “Ely’s Waterproof Central Fire Cartridges Made Expressly for Colt’s Deringer and Other Pistols”. The bottom of the label says “Ely Bros, Limited Manufacturers, London”. Label has some of the lower edges, probably no more than 1-2 mm missing but none of the lettering is absent. Part of the sealing tape is missing and shows wear. These boxes are extremely rare and are even rarer than the Colt’s 2nd Model that they were made for. 4-47495 DE108 (5,000-8,000) Auction: Firearms - Spring 2013 Please Note: All prices include the hammer price plus the buyer’s premium, which is paid by the buyer as part of the purchase price. The prices noted here after the auction are considered unofficial and do not become official until after the 46th day.

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