I have some photos of some early large caliber US pistol cartridges in use
before the introduction of the Colt 45 in 1873

1) 44 American came out in 1869 for the S&W Model 3 revolver, also used as
a US military sidearm from 1871 to 1873 but used longer

2) 44 Russian was developed by S&W in 1870 for the different models sold to
Russia also used in America by some well known pistol shooters

3) 45 S&W Schofield used by the US Cavalry starting in 1874

4) 44 Colt used in Richards-Mason conversions of the Colt 1860 revolver and
briefly adopted by the US Army from 1871 to 1873p1010019_0018.jpg