Terminology

The cartridge collector, like any collector, must know what they are collecting. So I will begin by going over the basics of cartridge nomenclature, categories, basics of design, and the evolution of the cartridge from it's earliest beginnings to the cartridge as we know it today.

Case Types

Brass cases can be divided into two categories: Straight (left) and Bottleneck (right). With various rim types combined with the two basic case types create a multitude of combinations.

Rim Types

There are five basic rim types: Rimmed, Semi-Rimmed, Rimless, Rebated and Belted. The rims of cartridges at times can be more useful to the identification of a cartridge then the basic shape of the case. Case types of similar calibers can lead to incorrect identification, however when combined with the rim type you may be successful in your identification.

Primers

Priming is probably the most intriguing portion of cartridge design. The types and methods of priming are vast and various. Modern priming as we know it is very simple in principle compared to earlier relatives. I would guess primers as we know them today are a result of Darwinism: survival off the fittest, or the strong shall survive.

Anatomy of a Cartridge