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pinfire

American  
[pin-fahyuhr] / ˈpɪnˌfaɪər /

adjective

  1. of or relating to a cartridge fitted with a pin that, when struck by the hammer of the firearm, causes the cartridge to explode.

  2. of or relating to a firearm that uses such a cartridge.


Etymology

Origin of pinfire

First recorded in 1850–55; pin + fire

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

Does the opal contain recognizable patterns such as harlequin, peacock tail or pinfire?

From New York Times

On our arrival, the only weapons the guard possessed were ancient pinfire rifles, firing a huge lump of lead.

From Project Gutenberg

In the first place, the ammunition expert who was called at the inquest to give evidence about the bullet extracted from the body testified that in weight and in length it corresponded with the seven millimetre bullet made for a pinfire revolver.

From Project Gutenberg

She had been killed by a bullet which fitted Nepcote's revolver, which was a pinfire weapon.

From Project Gutenberg

Odds and ends, some pipes, a few novels, two of them in Spanish, and old-fashioned pinfire revolver, and a guitar were among the personal property.

From Project Gutenberg