Bertram 500-450 #2 Musket Magnum Westley Richards Brass
Bertram
$647.90
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Bertram
Bertram 500-450 #2 Musket Magnum Westley Richards Brass
Quick Facts
| Manufacturer | Bertram |
| Cartridge | .500/.450 No. 2 Musket |
| Alternate designation | Westley Richards No. 2 Musket / 11.43×59R |
| Product | New, unprimed brass cartridge cases |
| Case type | Rimmed, bottleneck |
| Primary firearm association | Westley Richards No. 2 Musket and related Martini-type sporting rifles |
| Country of manufacture | Australia |
| U.S. distributor | Desert Tech Munitions |
Important: This listing is for new, unprimed brass cartridge cases only. It is not loaded ammunition and contains no primer, powder, or projectile.
Why Choose Bertram .500/.450 No. 2 Musket Brass?
- New-production brass for a historic or obsolete cartridge
- Manufactured by Bertram in Australia
- Provides an alternative to scarce, aged, or altered original cases
- Imported and supported in the United States by Desert Tech Munitions
Cartridge History
The .500/.450 Westley Richards No. 2 Musket is a late-nineteenth-century British rimmed, bottleneck cartridge associated with Westley Richards rifles and other Martini-type sporting and target rifles.
Royal Armouries preserves loaded cartridges and cartridge cases identified specifically as the .500/.450 Westley Richards No. 2 Musket. An Imperial War Museums specimen catalogued as 11.43×59R records a 69.2 mm case and 11.3 mm bullet.
Historical Firearms
- Westley Richards No. 2 Musket rifles
- Westley Richards Improved Martini and related actions chambered for the cartridge
- British sporting, target, and combination guns specifically marked for No. 2 Musket
Compatibility warning: Similar rifle models and similar cartridge names do not establish interchangeability. Verify the precise chambering marked or measured on the firearm.
Collector Notes
Despite its name, this is not the same cartridge as the .577/.450 Martini-Henry or the various .500/.450 Express and Nitro Express cartridges. Several British cartridges share similar numerical names; exact chamber identification is essential.
Product and Reference Specifications
| Manufacturer | Bertram |
| Condition | New |
| Primed | No |
| Material | Cartridge brass |
| Reloadable | Yes, subject to inspection and correct loading practices |
| Museum designation | 11.43×59R; .500/.450 No. 2 Musket |
| Documented case length | 69.2 mm / 2.724 in |
| Documented cartridge length | 73.8 mm / 2.906 in |
| Documented bullet diameter | 11.3 mm / .445 in |
| Documented head diameter | 14.7 mm / .579 in |
| Documented rim diameter | 16.6 mm / .654 in |
| Country of manufacture | Australia |
| U.S. distributor | Desert Tech Munitions |
Historical and reference dimensions do not replace inspection of the actual component, chamber, dies, or firearm.
Case Preparation Before Loading
- Inspect every case before use
- Check the mouth, body, primer pocket, and flash hole
- Size, expand, chamfer, deburr, and measure as appropriate
- Confirm chambering and loading-tool compatibility before assembling ammunition
- Use reputable published information appropriate to the exact cartridge and firearm
Antique-firearm note: Age, modification history, proof status, metallurgy, and mechanical condition vary. Have an unfamiliar or historic firearm inspected by a qualified gunsmith before firing.
Availability & Production
Bertram manufactures many historic and obsolete cartridge cases in scheduled production runs rather than continuously. Desert Tech Munitions maintains U.S. inventory when available and offers dealer and OEM programs to qualified buyers.
Still Shooting Today
Newly manufactured brass allows properly inspected historic rifles to remain functional range and collecting pieces rather than relying on increasingly scarce original ammunition.
Why Buy from Desert Tech Munitions?
- Authorized U.S. Bertram distributor
- U.S. inventory and domestic shipping when available
- Direct working relationship with Bertram
- Knowledgeable support for rare and obsolete cartridge brass
- Dealer and OEM programs for qualified buyers
Frequently Asked Questions
Is this loaded ammunition?
No. This listing is for new, unprimed brass cartridge cases only.
Can this brass be reloaded?
Yes. Case life depends on chamber dimensions, loading pressure, preparation, sizing practices, and inspection between loadings.
Should new cases be sized before loading?
Inspect every case. Sizing or expanding may be appropriate to establish correct shape and neck tension for the specific chamber and loading tools.
Why is this brass produced intermittently?
Demand for obsolete cartridges is specialized, so production is normally scheduled in batches rather than maintained continuously.
Is this the same as .577/.450 Martini-Henry?
No. They are separate cartridges.
Is this the same as .500/.450 Nitro Express?
No. The No. 2 Musket is a distinct cartridge. Match brass, dies, and loading information to the exact chamber marking.
Historic Military & Obsolete Cartridge Collection
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