.46 rimfire

• Name —.46 Short • Origin — United States • Type — Revolver • Designer — Remington • Design Date — 1868 • Production Date — 1868–1917 • Case Type — Rimmed, straight • Bullet —.456 • Neck —.458 • Base —.458 • Rim Dia —.530 • Case Length — 0.836 • Length — 1.336 • Primer — Rimfire

• Illustration — Remington Conversion, Rollin White Patent The.46 Short was used in the first large-caliber metallic cartridge revolvers available. Previously Smith & Wesson, who owned the Rollin White patent, had produced the Model 1 in.22 Short and Model 2 in.32 Short. In 1868, Remington paid a royalty fee to Smith & Wesson for use of the Rollin White patent and began to produce.46 Short metallic cartridge conversions for their New Model Army. These converted revolvers were also capable of firing the.46 Long cartridges when they were introduced a few years later.

The Remington New Model Army was a.44 caliber percussion cap revolver. In the nomenclature of the time,.44 caliber referred to the bore diameter of the barrel which was nominally 0.440". The grooves of the rifling were.006-.007" deep so the groove diameter was nominally 0.451-0.454". These revolvers were generally loaded with a.457" diameter lead ball (48-gauge), ensuring a good seal in the chamber. On conversion to cartridge ammunition, the nomenclature changed so that the name of the cartridge was based on the size of the projectile, hence the.46 Short (0.458" diameter bullet) fit the.44 caliber revolver.