.577 inch Other Ball

In addition to the regular Marks of .577 inch Ball described previously there were a number of other ball rounds approved for use in the Dominions.

India

Although apparently only issued in India, the Ball Mark X was numbered in the same series as the British ball rounds so has been included with these. There were however two further rounds shown only in Indian Lists of Changes.

"Cartridge SA Ball Breech-loading Smoothbore Mark I (Rifle & Carbine 2 1/2 Drs)" was not shown as introduced or approved in Indian LoCs, but was shown in Paragraph 3232 dated June 1898 as being replaced by the Mark II.

Like subsequent Indian versions of the Martini round it is presumed that this round had a single spherical lead ball and was intended for internal security use. It is known from the title that the charge was 70 grains of blackpowder and it is mentioned that the Mark I did not have a strawboard wad soaked in beeswax placed between charge and bullet.

"Cartridge SA Ball Breech-loading Smoothbore Mark II (Rifle & Carbine 2 1/2 Drs)" was approved in 1898 and shown in Indian LoC Paragraph 3232 dated June 1898.

The case was either newly manufactured or converted from previous marks of obsolete ball cartridge, and if new would not have a disc of fine white paper. If made from converted cartridges the carded wool above the propellant would be removed.

As with the Mark I, it is presumed that the bullet was a single spherical lead ball and that the propellant charge was 70 grains of blackpowder.

No examples of either of these rounds are known to survive.

The following sections will be updated later.

Australia

Canada

New Zealand