Where did the term Magnum come from?
 

I was watching a program on T.V. about magnum rifles and pistols and they discussed a theory about where the name Magnum came from. I was wondering if any one on the board has any other ideas.

RE: Where did the term Magnum come from?
 

Magnum is Latin for large or great. The term magnum was often used to designate large bottles of wine or spirits long before firearms came into being. Since magnum cartridges are usually larger or greater than normal cartridges the term was used for them. I don' t think there is any true industry standard as to what constitutes a magnum.

RE: Where did the term Magnum come from?
 

Ok frizzellr you pretty much covered it . On T.V. they said that term might of came from a large bottle of wine or spirits. Well I learned something new yesterday.

RE: Where did the term Magnum come from?
 

In the firearms industry the term " Magnum" means absolutely nothing.....let me give you a few examples.: the 17 HMR, the 22WRF The .222 Rem Mag, the .224 Wby Mag, The .32 H&R mag, the .410 3" mag, The .256 Win Mag,

I think it' s a marketing thing more than a descriptive thing.

RE: Where did the term Magnum come from?
 

Fer what it' s worth, I agree with vapodog, the term is mostly used today by marketers just to make sales, basically it' s a fast for caliber round (in average loadings, not heavy loads), nowadays, that' s assuming something like 3000+fps for rifles, and 1200-1400+fps in pistol cart' s...but it' s mostly a marketing thing.

again, the " magnum" is an old winery term...nuff said on that though...why do they call them the V-8magnums? it' s big, and the name sells.

RE: Where did the term Magnum come from?
 

So much for my theory on Magnum PI. :D

Maine Hunter

RE: Where did the term Magnum come from?
 

Wanted to get a 357.maximum barrel for my t/c (still looking) guess that sounds better then a 357.magnum,magnum.;)

Had a 10 mm ( they make 10 mags to right?) 10mm wouldequal & be like a 40.cal s&W mag?

A lot of old revolver cartriges are based on Bp & so the cases are big (38.44. etc) they could be magnums? compared to say 9mm cases.

they have those 357.sigs etc now too...i cant keep up, esp buying im lol

RE: Where did the term Magnum come from?
 

The term magnum became associated with firearms when Davey Wesson was inventing a cartridge and was wondering what to call it. After having a few tussels trying to name the cartridge he finally stated to a collegue, " I have always liked the magnum bottles of champagne the French have so let' s call it that." And thus was born the .357 " Magnum" which was the largest handgun caliber of its time way back in the 1800' s. The only reason I know this to be true and the only reason I would post it and possibly edure any blowback is because I caught it on the History Channel' s " Tales of the Gun" . Cool huh!

RE: Where did the term Magnum come from?
 

See who says TV is no good for people.

RE: Where did the term Magnum come from?
 

Thank you very much, I am just wasting time until October when I can get back to the woods and escape the loop of current events and knowledge for four months!

RE: Where did the term Magnum come from?
 

357. mag in the 1800,s? never heard of such a thing... i thought it was some guy(elmer kieth), working with some gun companys during the 1950(or around there)? that came up with the 357.mag& 44 mag also.

those guys in the 1800,s? put it into production then?
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Not to seem argumentive at 4 am lol , but without looking it up on the net etc.

my hornaday reloading manual says smith& wessen intoduced& put into production the 357. mag in 1935 ( the 44mag must be the 50,s?) for a more powerfull hunting& law inforcmemt improvement over the 38 speical... bigger/ longer to so not to fit &blow up some weaker 38,s too maybe?

before say 1900 wernt (pistol?)bullets seated on the outside of the case rim somehow?

RE: Where did the term Magnum come from?
 

But i liked some of john brownings ?early experments with full auto, lever rifles...
assult weopon if the 1800,s?;)

RE: Where did the term Magnum come from?
 

Not to be argumentative, the .357 Magnum wasn' t a 1800' s cartridge.....the first use of the term Magnum in firearms cartridges as far as I know was the Holland and Holland 1912 introduction of the .375 H&H " MAGNUM" The .357 Magnum is a 1935 introduction.....sorry ...lets find an arbitor on this issue.....can someone find a " Magnum" prior to 1912?

RE: Where did the term Magnum come from?
 

Alright, I could be wrong, it is humanly possible anyways. It has been months since I have seen the show. Dates can be confusing, sorry!

RE: Where did the term Magnum come from?
 

Okay, did a little research. The .22lr was invinted in the late 1800' s, 1887 to be exact. I think this is where I got the association of the earlier centuries. However, I do remember someone quoting the phrase I posted earlier when trying to think of a name for their cartridge. Perhaps I just plucked Wesson out of the stratosphere and somehow subconscienciously (may have misspelled that one) associated the two with the .357 which was previously stated to be invented in 1935. Sorry for causing a disruption in the flow of knowledge. Sometimes you are just so sure you think you are right, but I am not above humility.

The site I found on dates of cartridge introduction in pretty neat and anyone interested in cartridge history should take a look.

http://www.kimdutoit.com/dr/essays/essays.php?id=P13

I don' t know how to post a link, but there is the website all the way down to the page. I hope this redeems me!

RE: Where did the term Magnum come from?
 

Well, as applied to bottles, it came from, are you ready?? France!! If there' s anything they need ifn France, it' s BIGGER BOOZE BOTTLES!!