The .38 Short Colt, also known as .38 SC, was a
heeled bullet
A heeled bullet is a specific design of bullet where the internal diameter of the barrel is often, but not always, the same diameter as the cartridge case, and the bullet has a step at the rear to allow it to fit inside the case. Heeled bullets ...
cartridge intended for metallic cartridge conversions of the
cap and ball Colt 1851 Navy Revolver from the
American Civil War
The American Civil War (April 12, 1861 – May 26, 1865; also known by other names) was a civil war in the United States. It was fought between the Union ("the North") and the Confederacy ("the South"), the latter formed by state ...
era.
Later, this cartridge was fitted with a diameter inside-lubricated bullet in the 125–135 grain range.
Case
Visually, it resembles a
.38 S&W but the case dimensions are slightly different. The .38 Short Colt case is the parent to the
.38 Long Colt and
.38 Special.
Remington is one of the few producers of this cartridge today with a 125 gr LRN bullet. Magtech produces this grain weight and Ten-x manufactures a 95 gr load, as well as blanks.
This cartridge can be safely fired in revolvers chambered for
.38 Special or
.357 Magnum.
References
{{DEFAULTSORT:38 Short Colt
Pistol and rifle cartridges
Colt cartridges