44 Special Brass

[Sam McCord]

I bought some 44 S&W Special brass today. Neat packaging. Does anyone have an idea on vintage? I think I'll leave it unopened and put it in my display case...and then buy some more empties to reload.

 

[bigedp51]

I'm going to guess they were made some time after Chesty Puller was born.

 

[dr. mordo]

I'd keep 'em in the box fer sure.

 

[Gunhacker]

I bought some 44 S&W Special brass today. Neat packaging. Does anyone have an idea on vintage? I think I'll leave it unopened and put it in my display case...and then buy some more empties to reload.

The printed address lacks a zip code, which became effective in 1963. The red "63" on the bottom could indicate the year.

 

[6string]

I would really want to open that box to see at least if they're solid head or balloon head cases, and to see if they have a cannelure.

After all, Howard Carter didn't discover King Tut's tombjust to say "He's still in his original packaging, let's go home."

Jim

PS: Of course, they did all die one by one under eery circumstances.....

 

[s&wchad]

I believe that’s pre-WWII. Olin bought out Winchester in 1931. After the war, the ammunition was marked Winchester-Western Division Olin Industries.

 

[jerrydm60]

44 special

Don't use them keep them in original box for display. if you need brass midway is having a sale on starline brass just got some!

 

[DWalt]

Post- December 1944. That is when the "Division of Olin Industries, Inc." on the label began, used until about 1954. The lot number would date it as December 1946, but I am not sure the typical Winchester lot numbering sequence for ammunition was used for components. 12616 translates to December 16, 1946.