I picked up some ammo today, and it looks pretty old. The price was right, but, considering the age of this stuff, is there any collectible value to it? I do not want to cheat the man who sold it to me.
There's two partial boxes of 32 S&W, & 1 box of 32 S&W Long.
Thanks for your advice in advance.
TACC1

Attached Images

OLD 32 S&W AMMO.jpg (65.5 KB, 223 views)

If they are partial boxes I'd shoot the ammo and save the boxes. Though looking at that Lapua I see it's wadcutter ammo, so there is an outside chance a target shooter might find it more interesting. If I had a good K32 and wanted a display box of ammo that box would be similar to what I was looking for. Though I would probably still shoot the ammo.

wanutred;
Thanks for the reply. I'd hoped that would be the answer. Only the
Winchester box had a lot number, but this stuff looks as old as I am, and I needed the advice.
TACC1

I love old ammo, it’s one of the things I look for at gun shows. Full or almost full boxes like those can often be picked up for around $10, which is much cheaper than current factory fodder. If the boxes are in really nice condition, I wrap it in plastic and put it in a pile at home! If I’m gonna collect ammo boxes, I want them to be full. It’s nice to have vintage ammo with the older guns and it adds to a display. I shoot it at the range if it’s rough or the boxes are common, provided it‘s non-corrosive like yours are. It usually works just fine, although some of it’s dirty and leaves a lot of fouling on the gun. Watch out for squibs, but that‘s something you should always be conscious of.

The Western box is post 1962, that’s when the fed’s required the child safety warning. The ammo is very good, the style of box is fairly common, but it’s in the best condition of the three. I’d shoot it, but I already have some boxes like that put away.

The red, yellow and blue Winchester boxes are fairly collectable. Winchester introduced stainless priming in 1927 and used that style of box until just after WWII. You can narrow down the vintage by the parent company name on the back. Your box is a bit rough, but you may be able to mend some of the frayed edges and split seams and make it look a lot better with a careful application of white glue. Use a tooth pick or a pin, go slowly and use just a tiny bit at a time. I’ve repaired two piece boxes that were completely flat. If that box was in excellent condition and full, a dealer would likely have it priced between $40-$60, but it wouldn‘t jump off the shelf. If it was a .357 box or ammo for a lever gun, it would bring a good bit more. I’d fix it and wrap it until I found a better example for the pile, then I‘d shoot it!

I don’t know the vintage of the Lapua box, but they’ve been around since the 1920’s. I don’t see a warning, so it may be pre-1962. They make excellent brass and ammunition and I would shoot that in a heartbeat.

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s&wchad;
Thank you for the quick lesson on box repair. On looking, I see that
the Winchester box is still full. It'll go on the shelf. Half a box of Western, and 3 gone from the Lapua. Looks like range-time!
TACC1