Rimfire
/ˈrɪm.faɪər/noun
A firearm ignition system in which the priming compound is contained in the rim of the cartridge case.
Did you know?Rimfire is a purely technical 19th-century firearm term, but it captures a real historical shift: the explosive primer was moved into the cartridge rim, making ammunition self-contained and dramatically changing gun design.
Etymological Timeline
Proto-Indo-European
PIE
*ret-
“To run, roll, or turn.”
Old English
English
rima
“Edge, border, or margin.”
Middle English
English
rim
“An edge or border, especially of a circular object.”
19th Century
English
rim-fire
“A cartridge ignition system in which the priming compound is set in the rim of the case.”
Modern English
English
rimfire
“A firearm or cartridge using rim ignition.”