Frankford Arsenal calibration bullets for the 45 ACP?

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Rangerone

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Has anyone ever seen these before? I am guessing they are used during the bullet manufacturing process?

I ended up with boxes of old reloading components from a woman who used to work for me, her father had died many years ago and he had quite a bit of reloading components and bullet casting supplies. Among the bullets were five boxes of these "calibration components" from the Frankford Arsenal. I did a bit of research online but I found nothing, not even an image.

When I measured the OD, all of them are under .450, but this was just with my vernier, I did not break out the micrometer to go to four places but I am assuming that the label is correct so none of these would be useful for reloading.

If they have no value to a collector, I may just throw them in the lead pot the next time I cast and melt the lead out of them and send the jackets to recycling…
 

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There is a similar label shown in "History of Modern US Military Small Arms Ammunition, Vol II" by Hackley, Woodin and Scranton. There is no explanation as to what instrument the bullets were used to calibrate but it seems to be associated with pressure testing .45 ACP ammunition.

I think they would be of interest to an ammunition collector especially since you have the box with the I.D. info on it.
 

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That’s an odd size diameter for 45 ACP and I’m not sure what “calibration component” means, but I’d guess a complete box in that condition would have more value plain lead. I know I’d trade 10 lbs of lead for a box like that any day.
 
I've seen mention in TM9-1990 "Small Arms Ammunition" of "fit testing projectiles" used for checking neck tension on small arms ammunition. This TM is dated September 1947 and is labeled as a War Department publication. This would explain the different size projectiles.

I agree that there would be some collector interest and I don't think melting them down for lead would be the thing to do.
 
You should very carefully check the OD of these slugs one by one!
They may be sequentially packaged in increments.
Could be for testing lands diameters in barrel manufacturing?

When you said "Frankford Arsenal" I thought you meant the current budget priced company making inexpensive tools.
Coming from the real place adds significant interest.

You could inquire at the CMP forum, where there is considerable interest in period correct 1911 minutae.

Jim
 
Thank you for all of the responses, I am not going to melt these down, it was just a way to salvage something from them if they had no value.

In this lot of ammo, bullets and reloading equipment, there were numerous boxes of old Remington, Norma and Speer bullets, all of them sealed and all of them with (I am assuming) penciled dimensions (the Norma bullets are written to four decimal places) and weight right on the box. I do not know that I have ever run across a bullet collector, so these might simply be shot up. 30-06 was his favorite caliber and I have probably a thousand rounds of brass, dating all the way back to the first world war, and all of it in near pristine condition.

It makes sense that these 45 bullets have different outside diameters, but I am guessing that someone using these would open a box and simply randomly place bullets in case mouth's until they had whatever was considered proper tension and then measure that particular bullet.

I think I will go over to the CMP forum and post this up if it will allow a new member to post a photograph. I would like to pass these on to someone who would appreciate them if they have collectors value, and a little extra money for the ammo fund is always a good thing.
 
Gads! Don't melt them. Those are unique. More research on collector forums or the CMP


I wonder why there are "49" and not 50??
 
I suggest you go to the International Ammunition Association (IAA) forum and ask there. That is where all the really astute ammunition experts hang out. If anyone knows, they will be on that forum.
_______________________
I have already asked the question on the IAA forum. So far, no good answers yet.
 
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You might try the Colt collectors forum. I doubt there is any question about things 1911 that can't be answered by someone there. Also check the folks at Ward's auctions, they might be able to give you some idea as to value.
C.G.B.
 
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