.32 Teat fire ammo

displayit · February 22, 2010, 07:01 PM

Where can I buy some .32 teat fire ammo?

SigP6Carry · February 22, 2010, 07:07 PM

I honestly wouldn't hold my breath on that.... you're the first person I've ever heard use the phrase "teat fire." I thought I was just insane thinking it was real.

SDC · February 22, 2010, 07:07 PM

You can find single rounds occasionally at cartridge-collectors shows, but you might also find a few on online sites; these were known as the 32 Moore teat-fire. I hope you're not planning on trying to actually FIRE any of these, as they're long obsolete and worth more as historical oddities.

DocDizz · February 22, 2010, 08:49 PM

Rather intrigued as to why you would WANT to fire something in this caliber (I assume you have one, as you're asking about ammo). Why risk damaging a piece of history?!

ClayInTx · February 22, 2010, 09:14 PM

I saw something on these some time ago where a box of twenty sold at auction for (IIRC) $1500.00.

**Mike Irwin** · February 22, 2010, 09:23 PM

I have 4 of the early pattern (flat nipple) .32 caliber rounds. They usually bring higher prices than the later round nipple ammo.

No matter what, though, you're looking at $5 or more a shot for the ammo.

If you were looking for the .45 caliber version? You'd be talking $75 or more a shot, IF you could even find a gun.

Fishslayer · February 24, 2010, 10:33 AM

Teat fired ammo? Wasn't that in an Austin Powers movie?

The .45 cal teat fired ammo usually has a very high content of silicone...

Sport45 · February 24, 2010, 09:06 PM

I'm curious. Can someone post a picture of one of these rounds? Blur the middle a bit if needed to keep it family friendly.

gearchecker · February 24, 2010, 10:03 PM

This is what I found for you.
I found this family friendly link:
http://www.ammo-one.com/IgnitionTEAT.html

At $17.50 per cartridge I wouldn't be shooting it.

ScottRiqui · February 24, 2010, 10:08 PM

Wow - the cartridge looks even more obscene than the name would suggest. Kind of like a bullet stuck backwards into a brass reservoir-tipped condom.

SDC · February 25, 2010, 12:31 PM

This unusual layout was an attempt to get around the Rollin White patent on bored-through cylinders held by S&W, while still using self-contained cartridges; the revolvers made for these cartridges have a flat piece of steel screwed onto the frame that's supposed to hook under the rolled mouth of the case to pull fired cases out the front of the cylinder.

James K · February 25, 2010, 04:23 PM

The Moore was a pretty popular gun in its day and they are often seen at gun shows. They are not expensive, usually running around $600-700. I counted six at last year's Timonium (Baltimore) Show. I bought one and asked the seller if he would thrown in a box of ammo. For some reason, he looked at me funny.

Here are some pics of a Moore and a teat-fire cartridge. Note the small holes in the rear of the cylinder and the shape of the hammer that strikes down on the "teat" to fire the cartridge. The piece of steel SDC mentions (swung down in the pictures) is not actually an extractor, it is a loading gate to keep a round in the loading position from falling out forward. Once the gate is opened, a fired case is ejected forward by means of a rod inserted into the small notch at the bottom of the frame boss (best seen in picture 3).

Incidentally, the larger holes in the rear of the cylinder are for the "teat"; the smaller ones are for the cylinder stop, which comes forward out of the frame to stop cylinder rotation. The ratchet and stop holes are in a raised part of the cylinder which provides a support for the "teat" when the hammer strikes down on it.

Jim

Fishslayer · February 25, 2010, 05:48 PM

Who woulda thunk it? I thought this was a spinoff of someone's typo of "test fired." The "a" IS right next to the "s."

There really IS a "teat fired" ammo! Ya learn something new every day. Dunno how useful it is, but I learned something...

Mello2u · February 25, 2010, 07:29 PM

This thread has added to my firearms knowledge.

Sport45 · February 25, 2010, 08:23 PM

Very interesting. I'd never heard of such a thing. Thanks for the thread!

James K · February 26, 2010, 03:32 PM

Well, if you want more excitement, there was also a cup fire cartridge.

I have all three of those interesting guns, but rather than going to the trouble of posting more pictures, here is a site that has good pics, plus descriptions.

http://armscollectors.com/mgs/rollins.htm

The Plant cup fire is also made to load from the front and its operation is described on the site. Incidentally, some of those revolvers have a small button on the bottom of the center pin. To remove the center pin, the button is PUSHED up; trying to pull it down will break it.

The third revolver in that group is the Slocum; Flayderman calls it a front loader, but it actually uses a conventional rimfire cartridge but evades the White patent by loading from the side. Its operation is explained at the above site.

P.S. Sorry, but I don't know where to get cup fire cartridges either.

Jim

Locoweed · February 26, 2010, 07:38 PM

Well, there is also a lip fire cartridge and the Crispin annular rimfire which had the rim around the middle of the case.

James K · February 26, 2010, 08:23 PM

Those odd ball rounds were made in several calibers. The Allen lip fire was made in .25, .32, .36, and .44; the Ellis & White (Plant) cup primed was made in .28, .30, and .42 calibers; and the teat fire was made in both .32 and .45, though there may have been .30 and .36 as well.

Then there were the early center fires, like the Martin and the Benet, both of which were used by the U.S. Army; the latter may have contributed to the problems of a certain Lt. Col, formerly brevet Major General, named Custer.

Jim

caesarsfish · May 30, 2013, 10:18 AM

I just bought a couple of boxes of old ammo which includes teat rounds, paper shells and old copper rim fire ammo. Does anyone know of a auction site where I can sell these.

sgms · May 30, 2013, 01:42 PM

top 2 left round and flat teat fire
bottom 2 left brass and paper pin fire Paper were generally shot shells but this one is a slug
right side are cup fires top is cross section to show primer at bottom of cup
Don't have pictures of my other odd ignition rounds yet, just starting to photo cartridge collection.

g.willikers · May 30, 2013, 05:03 PM

Very interesting.
All new to me, too.
In the real world, were these any advantage over the cap and ball revolvers?

sgms · May 30, 2013, 08:20 PM

In a word, yes, self contained cartridges would not break like the paper cartridge, much faster to reload, close to water proof, and a lot easier to carry loose rounds than loose powder ball and cap.

WIL TERRY · May 30, 2013, 09:40 PM

IT SEEMS TO ME GUYS, there are a whole bunch of you here who need to buy " CARTRIDGES OF THE WORLD."

Newton24b · May 30, 2013, 10:58 PM

i believe that when i was 8 or 9 i read a copy of that great book, and i realized that these three systems would work well with a colt 1860.

**Mike Irwin** · May 31, 2013, 06:20 AM

"IT SEEMS TO ME GUYS, there are a whole bunch of you here who need to buy " CARTRIDGES OF THE WORLD."

I've yet to see an issue of COTW that has dealt with patent ignition cartridges like the Moore or Crispin.

February 22, 2010, 07:01 PM	#1
displayit Junior Member Join Date: February 22, 2010 Posts: 1	.32 Teat fire ammo Where can I buy some .32 teat fire ammo?

February 22, 2010, 07:07 PM	#2
SigP6Carry Senior Member Join Date: August 27, 2009 Posts: 1,086	I honestly wouldn't hold my breath on that.... you're the first person I've ever heard use the phrase "teat fire." I thought I was just insane thinking it was real. __________________ -liberal gun nut = exception to the rule- -1.24274238 miles, because Russians don't need scopes- -Gun control was the Klan's favorite law, how can you advocate a set of laws designed to allow the denigration of a people?-

February 22, 2010, 07:07 PM	#3
SDC Senior Member Join Date: January 23, 2001 Location: People's Republic of Kanada Posts: 1,652	You can find single rounds occasionally at cartridge-collectors shows, but you might also find a few on online sites; these were known as the 32 Moore teat-fire. I hope you're not planning on trying to actually FIRE any of these, as they're long obsolete and worth more as historical oddities. __________________ Gun control in Canada: making the streets safer for rapists, muggers, and other violent criminals since 1936.

February 22, 2010, 09:14 PM	#5
ClayInTx Senior Member Join Date: November 17, 2009 Location: Texas Posts: 1,066	Valuable antiques I saw something on these some time ago where a box of twenty sold at auction for (IIRC) $1500.00.

February 22, 2010, 09:23 PM	#6
Mike Irwin Staff Join Date: April 13, 2000 Location: Northern Virginia Posts: 41,390	I have 4 of the early pattern (flat nipple) .32 caliber rounds. They usually bring higher prices than the later round nipple ammo. No matter what, though, you're looking at $5 or more a shot for the ammo. If you were looking for the .45 caliber version? You'd be talking $75 or more a shot, IF you could even find a gun. __________________ "The gift which I am sending you is called a dog, and is in fact the most precious and valuable possession of mankind" -Theodorus Gaza Baby Jesus cries when the fat redneck doesn't have military-grade firepower.

February 22, 2010, 08:49 PM	#4
DocDizz Senior Member Join Date: August 17, 2008 Posts: 257	Rather intrigued as to why you would WANT to fire something in this caliber (I assume you have one, as you're asking about ammo). Why risk damaging a piece of history?!

February 24, 2010, 10:33 AM	#7
Fishslayer Senior Member Join Date: January 1, 2010 Location: San Diego, PRK Posts: 182	Teat fired ammo? Wasn't that in an Austin Powers movie? The .45 cal teat fired ammo usually has a very high content of silicone... __________________ He is your friend, your partner, your defender, your dog. You are his life, his love, his leader. He will be yours, faithful and true, to the last beat of his heart. You owe it to him to be worthy of such devotion."

February 24, 2010, 09:06 PM	#8
Sport45 Senior Member Join Date: May 25, 1999 Location: Too close to Houston Posts: 4,196	I'm curious. Can someone post a picture of one of these rounds? Blur the middle a bit if needed to keep it family friendly. __________________ Proud member of the NRA and Texas State Rifle Association. Registered and active voter.

February 24, 2010, 10:03 PM	#9
gearchecker Senior Member Join Date: April 6, 2009 Location: North IDAHO, Big Bear Country Posts: 466	Found a link fro the teatfire cartridge This is what I found for you. I found this family friendly link: http://www.ammo-one.com/IgnitionTEAT.html At $17.50 per cartridge I wouldn't be shooting it. __________________ When the time comes that I don't want a new gun, Call the undertaker! My firearm is an investment on my life. http://www.takdriver.com http://www.corneredcat.com

February 24, 2010, 10:08 PM	#10
ScottRiqui Senior Member Join Date: January 27, 2010 Location: Norfolk, VA Posts: 2,905	Wow - the cartridge looks even more obscene than the name would suggest. Kind of like a bullet stuck backwards into a brass reservoir-tipped condom.

February 25, 2010, 12:31 PM	#11
SDC Senior Member Join Date: January 23, 2001 Location: People's Republic of Kanada Posts: 1,652	This unusual layout was an attempt to get around the Rollin White patent on bored-through cylinders held by S&W, while still using self-contained cartridges; the revolvers made for these cartridges have a flat piece of steel screwed onto the frame that's supposed to hook under the rolled mouth of the case to pull fired cases out the front of the cylinder. __________________ Gun control in Canada: making the streets safer for rapists, muggers, and other violent criminals since 1936.

February 25, 2010, 05:48 PM	#13
Fishslayer Senior Member Join Date: January 1, 2010 Location: San Diego, PRK Posts: 182	Oh for the love a... Who woulda thunk it? I thought this was a spinoff of someone's typo of "test fired." The "a" IS right next to the "s." There really IS a "teat fired" ammo! Ya learn something new every day. Dunno how useful it is, but I learned something... __________________ He is your friend, your partner, your defender, your dog. You are his life, his love, his leader. He will be yours, faithful and true, to the last beat of his heart. You owe it to him to be worthy of such devotion."

February 25, 2010, 07:29 PM	#14
Mello2u Senior Member Join Date: February 21, 2009 Location: Georgia Posts: 1,424	This thread has added to my firearms knowledge. __________________ NRA Life Member - Orange Gunsite Member - NRA Certified Pistol Instructor "When plunder becomes a way of life for a group of men living together in society, they create for themselves in the course of time a legal system that authorizes it and a moral code that justifies it." Frederic Bastiat

February 25, 2010, 08:23 PM	#15
Sport45 Senior Member Join Date: May 25, 1999 Location: Too close to Houston Posts: 4,196	Very interesting. I'd never heard of such a thing. Thanks for the thread! __________________ Proud member of the NRA and Texas State Rifle Association. Registered and active voter.

February 26, 2010, 03:32 PM	#16
James K Member In Memoriam Join Date: March 17, 1999 Posts: 24,383	Well, if you want more excitement, there was also a cup fire cartridge. I have all three of those interesting guns, but rather than going to the trouble of posting more pictures, here is a site that has good pics, plus descriptions. http://armscollectors.com/mgs/rollins.htm The Plant cup fire is also made to load from the front and its operation is described on the site. Incidentally, some of those revolvers have a small button on the bottom of the center pin. To remove the center pin, the button is PUSHED up; trying to pull it down will break it. The third revolver in that group is the Slocum; Flayderman calls it a front loader, but it actually uses a conventional rimfire cartridge but evades the White patent by loading from the side. Its operation is explained at the above site. P.S. Sorry, but I don't know where to get cup fire cartridges either. Jim Last edited by James K; February 26, 2010 at 03:39 PM.

February 26, 2010, 07:38 PM	#17
Locoweed Senior Member Join Date: August 8, 2008 Location: Alabama Posts: 661	Well, there is also a lip fire cartridge and the Crispin annular rimfire which had the rim around the middle of the case.

February 26, 2010, 08:23 PM	#18
James K Member In Memoriam Join Date: March 17, 1999 Posts: 24,383	Those odd ball rounds were made in several calibers. The Allen lip fire was made in .25, .32, .36, and .44; the Ellis & White (Plant) cup primed was made in .28, .30, and .42 calibers; and the teat fire was made in both .32 and .45, though there may have been .30 and .36 as well. Then there were the early center fires, like the Martin and the Benet, both of which were used by the U.S. Army; the latter may have contributed to the problems of a certain Lt. Col, formerly brevet Major General, named Custer. Jim

May 30, 2013, 10:18 AM	#19
caesarsfish Junior Member Join Date: May 23, 2013 Posts: 2	old ammo (teat, paper shells and old copper rim fire) I just bought a couple of boxes of old ammo which includes teat rounds, paper shells and old copper rim fire ammo. Does anyone know of a auction site where I can sell these.

May 30, 2013, 05:03 PM	#21
g.willikers Senior Member Join Date: September 28, 2008 Posts: 10,442	Very interesting. All new to me, too. In the real world, were these any advantage over the cap and ball revolvers? __________________ Walt Kelly, alias Pogo, sez: “Don't take life so serious, son, it ain't nohow permanent.”

May 30, 2013, 08:20 PM	#22
sgms Senior Member Join Date: May 30, 2010 Location: Arizona or Ohio depending Posts: 1,021	In a word, yes, self contained cartridges would not break like the paper cartridge, much faster to reload, close to water proof, and a lot easier to carry loose rounds than loose powder ball and cap.

May 30, 2013, 09:40 PM	#23
WIL TERRY Senior Member Join Date: July 6, 2000 Location: BLACK HILLS Posts: 1,322	IT SEEMS TO ME GUYS, there are a whole bunch of you here who need to buy " CARTRIDGES OF THE WORLD."

May 30, 2013, 10:58 PM	#24
Newton24b Junior member Join Date: February 10, 2009 Posts: 974	i believe that when i was 8 or 9 i read a copy of that great book, and i realized that these three systems would work well with a colt 1860.

May 31, 2013, 06:20 AM	#25
Mike Irwin Staff Join Date: April 13, 2000 Location: Northern Virginia Posts: 41,390	"IT SEEMS TO ME GUYS, there are a whole bunch of you here who need to buy " CARTRIDGES OF THE WORLD." I've yet to see an issue of COTW that has dealt with patent ignition cartridges like the Moore or Crispin. __________________ "The gift which I am sending you is called a dog, and is in fact the most precious and valuable possession of mankind" -Theodorus Gaza Baby Jesus cries when the fat redneck doesn't have military-grade firepower.