Western Super Match 148gr wadcutters

[linde]

Went to an estate auction Sunday. Most everything sold high . . . no, make that VERY high . . . but I did manage to pick up some .38 Mid-Range Super-Match wadcutters.

I’m familiar with .38 Mid-Range wadcutters but this is the first “Super Match” I’ve seen. I’m assuming the box on the left is older than the box on the right but have no idea of what year(s) they were made.

Please help me date these two boxes and advise if they’re pretty common and will do well for me at the range . . . or belong in someone’s cartridge collection.

Thanks, Russ

[Trooperdan]

I'd say the box on the right looks very much as if it is from the '60's but have no opinion on the other..very good ammo in any event!

[BRush]

1st box mid to late 1940's (Olin) , 2nd box late 1950' to maybe 1961 (pre-child warning). Both boxes have some collector value, especially for period 45 ACP gun owners.

[Old 44 Guy]

Yeah, I remember the early one. About from the '40's I would guess. They shot very well in my old M&P then. The later box is similar to the ones I bought in the late '50's. I'm not a cartridge collector so I may be off a few years.

[smith17]

BRush:
If the second box doesn't have the Olin-Matthieson callout, instead just Olin, wouldn't it be of the same vintage as the first ?
Ed

[linde]

Here are close-ups

[smith17]

You were correct.

[BRush]

Ed. As I recall the chronology, Olin Industries from 1944, Olin Mathieson from 1954 and Olin from 1964. The boxes probably reflected the name changes at varying times after they occurred.

[pharmer]

I got these from a buddy who died 7 years ago. Beside that fact, these are just about the best looking cartridges WW ever made. Nickel cases, lacquer seal, perfect crimp. I have lots of .38 ball ammo to shoot up. I'll keep these around, just because. Joe

[linde]

Many thanks to all who responded. Very helpful information . . . as usual.

Russ

[J. R. WEEMS]

Have a couple cases of the one on the right. Good stuff and shoots well in my Mdl 52. Have a couple versions of .22LR as well. I used the .45 to help me load my first WC's. All was perfect as it will get for me. I'll hold on to the factory as a back-up. Here is my 52 with her Ivory shoes.