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Old 06-21-2018, 05:23 PM
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How do I figure out how old my ammo is? How do I figure out how old my ammo is? How do I figure out how old my ammo is? How do I figure out how old my ammo is? How do I figure out how old my ammo is?  
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Default How do I figure out how old my ammo is?

I purchased an old box of .32 S&W long center fire cartridges made by Western 98 grain Lubaloy for $20. I guess I will now have to buy an old .32 HE to keep them company. I am trying to find out how to identify the era and ages of several old boxes of ammo. Any suggestions on sources?
Here are a few photos.

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Old 06-21-2018, 06:08 PM
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How do I figure out how old my ammo is? How do I figure out how old my ammo is? How do I figure out how old my ammo is? How do I figure out how old my ammo is? How do I figure out how old my ammo is?  
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The first clue is the "Warning Keep Out of Reach of Children" which began in 1962. I believe that your Peters cartridge box is from early in that era (1962-68). The International Ammunition Association (cartridgecollectors.org) has a number of links showing cartridge boxes from various manufacturers and various time periods (1800's to present).
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Old 06-21-2018, 07:13 PM
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How do I figure out how old my ammo is? How do I figure out how old my ammo is? How do I figure out how old my ammo is? How do I figure out how old my ammo is? How do I figure out how old my ammo is?  
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Yep look like early 60s to me. Recall having that yellow Winny box in the late 60s or 70s.
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Old 06-22-2018, 10:27 AM
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How do I figure out how old my ammo is? How do I figure out how old my ammo is? How do I figure out how old my ammo is? How do I figure out how old my ammo is? How do I figure out how old my ammo is?  
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+1 in the Winy box.
I had the Western name back when I first got my 270 bolt action, when in the service.
I think Super -X came out maybe later ?
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Old 06-22-2018, 12:22 PM
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How do I figure out how old my ammo is? How do I figure out how old my ammo is? How do I figure out how old my ammo is? How do I figure out how old my ammo is? How do I figure out how old my ammo is?  
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"How old is my ammo"

Olin states that the muzzle velocity of this round as/when loaded was 705 fps.

I happen to know that a Binford 3200 chronograph set at 3'11-5/8" was used to obtain this information from a S&W HE of 1905 with an 8-3/8" taper barrel.

Since the energy level of H110 deteriorates at 0.03 percent per year, determining the ballpark date of manufacture is a snap.

(Using the equation mv=(e/fb)/(q*0.03)-7)

Just kidding.
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Old 06-22-2018, 01:26 PM
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How do I figure out how old my ammo is? How do I figure out how old my ammo is? How do I figure out how old my ammo is? How do I figure out how old my ammo is? How do I figure out how old my ammo is?  
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Another time and place - time machine. Just think about walking into a local hardware store and tell the guy with that peters box of 38's that you needed "three shells" and he would have rang up 3 at 15 cents each, added tax and said " that will be 47 cents"
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Old 06-23-2018, 01:32 AM
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Slice one in half and count the number of rings.


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Old 06-23-2018, 09:18 AM
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Slice one in half and count the number of rings.


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LOL!!!! Too funny!
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Old 06-23-2018, 10:08 AM
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How do I figure out how old my ammo is? How do I figure out how old my ammo is? How do I figure out how old my ammo is? How do I figure out how old my ammo is? How do I figure out how old my ammo is?  
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Are there any teeth to count?
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Old 06-23-2018, 10:43 AM
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How do I figure out how old my ammo is? How do I figure out how old my ammo is? How do I figure out how old my ammo is? How do I figure out how old my ammo is? How do I figure out how old my ammo is?  
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Another time and place - time machine. Just think about walking into a local hardware store and tell the guy with that peters box of 38's that you needed "three shells" and he would have rang up 3 at 15 cents each, added tax and said " that will be 47 cents"
I worked in a hardware store as a kid. Folks would come in and buy ONE asphalt shingles and TWO roofing nails.
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Old 06-27-2018, 10:38 AM
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How do I figure out how old my ammo is? How do I figure out how old my ammo is? How do I figure out how old my ammo is? How do I figure out how old my ammo is? How do I figure out how old my ammo is?  
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The boxes in the original post are 1960's era. If the poster has questions about other old boxes post them here (several collectors hang out here) or for learning about old ammo the best source is the International Cartridge Collectors website and forum. Lots of very knowledgeable people on there.
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Old 06-28-2018, 04:12 PM
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How do I figure out how old my ammo is? How do I figure out how old my ammo is? How do I figure out how old my ammo is? How do I figure out how old my ammo is? How do I figure out how old my ammo is?  
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Here are a couple others that I have. I believe they are a little older.

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Old 06-28-2018, 07:12 PM
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How do I figure out how old my ammo is? How do I figure out how old my ammo is? How do I figure out how old my ammo is? How do I figure out how old my ammo is? How do I figure out how old my ammo is?  
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Collects View Post
Another tip off is the lack of area codes on the boxes. I think we first got area codes in 1968.
The use of zip codes began in 1963. I have used this method to help date cans of powder.
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Old 06-28-2018, 07:29 PM
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How do I figure out how old my ammo is? How do I figure out how old my ammo is? How do I figure out how old my ammo is? How do I figure out how old my ammo is? How do I figure out how old my ammo is?  
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Quote:
Originally Posted by LittleCooner View Post
Another time and place - time machine. Just think about walking into a local hardware store and tell the guy with that peters box of 38's that you needed "three shells" and he would have rang up 3 at 15 cents each, added tax and said " that will be 47 cents"
Yep, used to buy 9mm like that in the late '50's for a schoolmates MP38! Spent my lunch money on a mag dump!
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Old 07-04-2018, 02:32 PM
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Default Old ammo box dating

The earlier posts re the yellow Win box and late Peters box are correct: ca mid-'60s. The green 2-pc Win 38 S&W is 1925-27 and is the last black powder loading by Win in that caliber. I can't help with the early Peters box except to say I believe it to be earlier than 1920, prob 'Teens.
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Old 07-04-2018, 02:47 PM
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Put the ammo in a gun, point it down range and pull the trigger. If it goes bang, it's not too old.
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Old 07-05-2018, 03:13 PM
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For much of the 20th Century lot codes were stamped somewhere on boxes from Winchester, Western, Remington, and Peters. These are usually alphanumeric codes such as H23D, etc. It is fairly easy to date boxes precisely from those codes. Box graphics are also useful as some lot codes repeat periodically. As mentioned, the presence of ZIP codes and the child warning will date a box as being from later than the early 1960s. Winchester and Western company legends are also useful as are Remington Index codes. Shuey's book on Winchester cartridge boxes is valuable for dating older Winchester boxes as it contains a large number of pictures.

Lots of resources on the International Ammunition Association (IAA) website - probably the best single source of ammunition information on the internet. All of the ammo fanatics and experts hang out there, it covers everything in the ammunition area from small arms to nukes.

Last edited by DWalt; 07-05-2018 at 03:26 PM.
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