Why "38" special?

[Anduril]

With a groove diameter of .358", does anyone want to tell us their theory why this cartridge was not named the 35 or 36 Special?
Inquiring minds want to know.
Thanks.
..

[quickdtoo]

That's easy,  just do an internet search.

Tim

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/.38_Special

History
Despite its name, its caliber is actually .357–.358 inches (9.0678 mm), with the ".38" referring to the approximate diameter of the loaded brass case. This came about because the original .38-caliber cartridge, the .38 Short Colt, was designed for use in converted .36-caliber cap-and-ball (muzzleloading) Navy revolvers, which had cylindrical firing chambers of approximately .374 inch diameter, requiring "heel-based" bullets, the exposed portion of which was the same diameter as the cartridge case (see the section on the .38 Long Colt). Except for its length, the .38 Special case is identical to that of the .38 Long Colt, and to the .357 Magnum which was developed from the earlier cartridge in 1935. This allows the .38 Special round to be used in revolvers chambered for the .357 Magnum (but not the reverse, the longer length prevents potential accidents from the significantly higher pressure generated by the .357 Magnum cartridge).......

[Anduril]

Tim,
I thought this board was part of the internet, so I posted here first.
Thanks for the quick answer.
..

[coyotejoe]

Same explanation as to why .44s use bullets from .425-.430".  It started with the .44 S&W American which used the heel type bullets as described for the .38 caliber.  The Russian government placed a large order for S&W revolvers but wanted the bullets seated into the case as is now standard. They reduced the bullet diameter to fit inside the lengthened case and thus the .44 Russian cartridge used a .43 caliber bullet. The .44 special and magnum evolved from the .44 Russian and thus it stuck.
  Fortunately, S&W also reduced their bore diameters to match the new bullets, something Colt got around to only many years later. Old Colt revolvers in .38, .41 and .44 Colt caliber retained the oversize bores which required hollow based bullets to obtain even some pretense of accuracy.

[SHOOTALL]

they already had a 36 cal cap and ball and wanted to make sure of no confusion is one theory , maybe to sound bigger like 460 S&W of 480 Ruger ! remember when it came out the race to better was on so don't discount ad. hype !

[m-g Willy]

That's easy,  just do an internet search.

Tim

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/.38_Special

History
Despite its name, its caliber is actually .357–.358 inches (9.0678 mm), with the ".38" referring to the approximate diameter of the loaded brass case. This came about because the original .38-caliber cartridge, the .38 Short Colt, was designed for use in converted .36-caliber cap-and-ball (muzzleloading) Navy revolvers, which had cylindrical firing chambers of approximately .374 inch diameter, requiring "heel-based" bullets, the exposed portion of which was the same diameter as the cartridge case (see the section on the .38 Long Colt). Except for its length, the .38 Special case is identical to that of the .38 Long Colt, and to the .357 Magnum which was developed from the earlier cartridge in 1935. This allows the .38 Special round to be used in revolvers chambered for the .357 Magnum (but not the reverse, the longer length prevents potential accidents from the significantly higher pressure generated by the .357 Magnum cartridge).......

BINGO! Give the man a cigar.


Willy