Without seeing a photograph or the like it is difficult to be certain 
but from your description this casing seems to be a .44 flat nose round 
which was used in such lever action rifles as the Henry and Winchester 
1866. Both these rifles used double firing pins located 180 degrees 
 from each other in order to provide more consistent ignition of the 
fulminate/ground glass mixture which was often imperfectly distributed 
around the base of the cartridge. If there is any headstamp such as a 
raised or impressed "H" this would further ease the identification and 
provide a firmer date range for the manufacture of the round.  If you 
would like to send a photo and some dimensions I would be happy to 
further identify this for you.

 Stathi Pappas

 ______________________________________________________

 Efstathios I. Pappas, MS
 Doctoral Student
 Department of Anthropology/096
 University of Nevada, Reno
 Reno, NV 89557
 (775) 323-5730

 -----Original Message-----
 From: Marty Pickands <[log in to unmask]>
 To: [log in to unmask]
 Sent: Tue, 20 Dec 2005 16:38:25 -0500
 Subject: Rimfire cartridge

 This is particularly addressed to Smoke, though if anyone else has some
 info please jump in.

 I have a rimfire cartridge, around .40-.46 cal., somewhat bent. It has
 a base that is crowned in the center, and appears to have been fired
 from a weapon with a double firing pin. Can you tell me what kind of
 weapon would have been used with this? I have been unable to find
 reference to a double firing pin anywhere and cannot get the exact
 caliber because of distortion.

 Marty Pickands, New York State Museum