.38 Special Box

[AJ]

Not sure where to post this, so decided to start here. I was given this box by a friend who knows that I collect this sort of thing. I have never seen a box like this. Notice it is for 18 rounds. Any info you can give would be appreciated.

 

[9mmsubgun-m11]

First I have ever saw an 18rd box. Cool though.

 

[AJ]

First I have ever saw an 18rd box. Cool though.

I thought so too.

 

[Stevens]

Maybe 3 reloads of a six shooter=18rds was the idea?
Steve W

 

[lihpster]

Maybe 3 reloads of a six shooter=18rds was the idea?
Steve W

That's what I was thinking. Possibly in a survival kit?

 

[kaaskop49]

I've seen boxes such as this one. An NYPD officer gave me one many years ago, but IIRC it contained 20 rounds. Again, I'm probably wrong. He DID tell me that they would expend their current duty ammo from their revolver and belt pouches on the range during qualification. They were given this small box of fresh factory .38 service rounds to replace them.

Kaaskop49
Shield #5103

 

[AJ]

I've seen boxes such as this one. An NYPD officer gave me one many years ago, but IIRC it contained 20 rounds. Again, I'm probably wrong. He DID tell me that they would expend their current duty ammo from their revolver and belt pouches on the range during qualification. They were given this small box of fresh factory .38 service rounds to replace them.

Kaaskop49
Shield #5103

That could possibly be the case. The guy that gave it to me was from NYC, not PD though.

 

[raygixxer89]

Maybe 3 reloads of a six shooter=18rds was the idea?
Steve W

That's what I think. Loaded gun and two speedloaders. Cool find OP.

 

[VictorLouis]

I just got a brand new old-stock box of S&W branded NyClad in 125gr.
Unless it's worth 3-figures, LOL...I plan to sight-in and carry some.

 

[banger]

I must confess, I have never actually seen the 18 round boxes depicted in the photos.

What I can say is.... This packaging is almost certainly Government or agency packaging.

At least as far back as WWII, German and Russian ammunition was issued (in their calibers) in 16 round boxes.

Consider, each pistol was issued as a Pistol, spare magazine, and holster.

So, two 8 round magazines, one box of 16 cartridges equaled a neat issue and no pesky loose rounds.

Personally, I still have oodles of 16 round boxes of Soviet Makarov ammo.

 

[PeteC]

I bought some 18-round boxes of SWC at a show last weekend. Posted a separate thread unfortunately, but they seem to be similar but in boxes from a different manufacturer. So 18/box must have been common at one time, whatever the reason.