JimW
Member
Never got into this so I was wondering if collectors collect the boxes or the boxes with the ammo? Seems to me that the old corroded ammo would have no value. I presume it's the graphics on the boxes that the collectors covet.
Ammo collecting question
- Thread starter JimW
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Being an ammunition collector for over 5 decades gives me some insight. First and foremost it IS ammunition collecting. It is all about the rounds of ammo. And it depends on where you live if older ammo is corroded. I have many rounds in my collection that are from the 1860's still in excellent condition. I even fired a 130 year old round of ammo to harvest a buffalo with great authority. But there are many types of collectors. I am a single round collector trying to get every example of every cartridge. This is quite an undertaking as there is nearly 10,000 different 30-06 rounds all different. Some collectors collect full boxes which I do to some extent. Boxes are a major offshoot of cartridge collecting that many of us enjoy.
Keith44
Member
like 30-30remchester said it is the ammo, for me having original ammo in the original box (like the box of 9mm kurtz I have) is great, but some more rare ammo (like the two loaded rounds from the single shot buffalo hunting era) is equally as valuable. The newer the ammo, the more important the box IMO, unless you find the really old wooden military crates with lead sealed tins.
CTG_COLLECTOR
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Yes, many people will collect full boxes of ammo as it may be more desirable to have a full box rather than a partial box. Others my just collect empty boxes just for their design or rareness.
I primarily collect handgun rounds in 9x19mm, 38 Spl & 357 Mag, but I will still pick up other rounds for my "general" collection. I have many full boxes of handgun ammo along with partially full boxes.
As new loads are introduced to the market (ZQI, BrassMaxx, Perfecta, Fed Champion alum cased etc.) I'll buy a box or two, pull a single round for my collection as an exemplar sample, shoot the rest except for 5 rounds and keep those 5 rounds in the box and then save the box.
I primarily collect handgun rounds in 9x19mm, 38 Spl & 357 Mag, but I will still pick up other rounds for my "general" collection. I have many full boxes of handgun ammo along with partially full boxes.
As new loads are introduced to the market (ZQI, BrassMaxx, Perfecta, Fed Champion alum cased etc.) I'll buy a box or two, pull a single round for my collection as an exemplar sample, shoot the rest except for 5 rounds and keep those 5 rounds in the box and then save the box.
OK - here is my chance to ask a question about collecting full boxes of ammo. I have bought and sold shrink wrapped boxes of ammo without ever opening the box. No big dollar boxes, but many sellers/collectors do not want to unseal a box to inspect the ammo for every prospective buyer, so I buy the box assuming the contents are as advertised. The contents could be a box of sand, but wonder how others deal with this issue. Pay the money and take your chances of pass?
Rare ammunition boxes are another story. I do buy empty boxes of some unusual calibers because you just do not see them for sale. 44 American boxes and 44 Henry boxes are examples that just do not show up - empty or full. About 10 years ago, I bought a very nice empty 44 Henry box and finally filled it with matching original cartridges last year. I do not even want to know how much I paid in total over the years to do that.
Rare ammunition boxes are another story. I do buy empty boxes of some unusual calibers because you just do not see them for sale. 44 American boxes and 44 Henry boxes are examples that just do not show up - empty or full. About 10 years ago, I bought a very nice empty 44 Henry box and finally filled it with matching original cartridges last year. I do not even want to know how much I paid in total over the years to do that.
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BRush
Member
I collect boxes to display with my vintage firearms. Over the years I have purchased more than I like to admit and it's an on going process. While I've picked up some knowledge along the way, I would in no way consider my self an cartridge collector or an expert in the field.
I prefer open boxes in VG or better condition so I can display the boxes and rounds. I don't mind tears or split seams as these can be repaired.
I have a few unopened boxes but only in selected calipers of personal interest. But I don't like these as I can't inspect the original ammo and I feel the extra burden of care taking the boxe's condition.
When I started I always unsealed the box after purchase. I was burned a couple of times, non-native rounds or short counts. Now, I don't buy sealed boxes of scarce ammo unless the price is very good except from Ray Giles or other trusted sellers. At a show, I require the seller to unseal the box for inspection as a condition to purchase.
That being said, I've found most sellers, even on GB or GsA, to be honest and trust worthy except one Rat who hid behind a couple of girls who burned me for a couple of $100 bucks.
I prefer open boxes in VG or better condition so I can display the boxes and rounds. I don't mind tears or split seams as these can be repaired.
I have a few unopened boxes but only in selected calipers of personal interest. But I don't like these as I can't inspect the original ammo and I feel the extra burden of care taking the boxe's condition.
When I started I always unsealed the box after purchase. I was burned a couple of times, non-native rounds or short counts. Now, I don't buy sealed boxes of scarce ammo unless the price is very good except from Ray Giles or other trusted sellers. At a show, I require the seller to unseal the box for inspection as a condition to purchase.
That being said, I've found most sellers, even on GB or GsA, to be honest and trust worthy except one Rat who hid behind a couple of girls who burned me for a couple of $100 bucks.
Like most I collect about any cartridge, but 30-30's and large bottleneck cartridges are what does it for me. And after an experience I had at the Colorado Cartridge Collectors show, I now open all wrapped boxes.
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I am not what I would consider a "real cartridge collector" because I do not actively seek out vintage ammo or boxes. That said, I have occasionally come across old vintage ammo that I'll usually scoff-up.
Most of my vintage ammo and pristine boxes came from an "old timer" at the Range one evening. He was about to shoot up some vintage .45 ACP ammo that looked like it was pre WWll vintage. I quickly said to him "if you are going to just shoot that stuff would you mind trading me for a box of my new stuff (re-loads) for this box"? He had no problem with that and said I should come over and see the boxes and boxes of old ammo he had. I did and now it's mine- traded him my modern reloads for all of it.
Other vintage ammo I've gotten was purchased at our LGC swap meets. When ever a member passes, his wife or best friend will usually bring down his lifetime stash to sell off. I've also inherited quite a bit of vintage ammo from my Dad.
Again, I do not seek it out, but if it's in front of me I'm usually a sucker for it if I can get it reasonably. Some stuff I had gotten in such huge quantities that I actually shot much of it. For instance I inherited 200 pristine boxes of Remington 148 grain Wadcutter Target Master ammo made in the late 50's I believe. I still have about 20 boxes that I'll keep, but the other 180 boxes have been shot up. All the Nickel plated Brass will of course be re-loaded. I could not justify NOT shooting most of that since it was all free and GREAT target ammo.
ADDED: And just so you know I tried to sell one of the sealed cases (40 boxes of 50 rounds = 2000 rounds) right here on the Forum a few years back - NO TAKERS so I just shot it. When it comes right down to it, even though it's a nice side hobby, the vintage ammo isn't really worth much.
Most of my vintage ammo and pristine boxes came from an "old timer" at the Range one evening. He was about to shoot up some vintage .45 ACP ammo that looked like it was pre WWll vintage. I quickly said to him "if you are going to just shoot that stuff would you mind trading me for a box of my new stuff (re-loads) for this box"? He had no problem with that and said I should come over and see the boxes and boxes of old ammo he had. I did and now it's mine- traded him my modern reloads for all of it.
Other vintage ammo I've gotten was purchased at our LGC swap meets. When ever a member passes, his wife or best friend will usually bring down his lifetime stash to sell off. I've also inherited quite a bit of vintage ammo from my Dad.
Again, I do not seek it out, but if it's in front of me I'm usually a sucker for it if I can get it reasonably. Some stuff I had gotten in such huge quantities that I actually shot much of it. For instance I inherited 200 pristine boxes of Remington 148 grain Wadcutter Target Master ammo made in the late 50's I believe. I still have about 20 boxes that I'll keep, but the other 180 boxes have been shot up. All the Nickel plated Brass will of course be re-loaded. I could not justify NOT shooting most of that since it was all free and GREAT target ammo.
ADDED: And just so you know I tried to sell one of the sealed cases (40 boxes of 50 rounds = 2000 rounds) right here on the Forum a few years back - NO TAKERS so I just shot it. When it comes right down to it, even though it's a nice side hobby, the vintage ammo isn't really worth much.
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rburg
Member
I don't trust anyone in the cartridge business. I used to, but I discovered many of them are crooks. The turning point came when I bought an old Colt revolver in 32 Colt caliber. A friend gave me about a dozen rounds, but I went on an active search for more. And I bought a box of what appeared to be 32 Colt cartridges. Got it home and opened it. It was half Colt and half 32 S&W. No, they're not the same thing. So as I went along over the next year or so, I'd see a box and ask what was in it. If it was sealed, I'd ask to open it prior to buying it. Universally they would refuse.
So I wouldn't buy. Then I did buy a box with the saran wrap cover. And right there in front of him I opened it to see. And sure enough, it was full of .32 S&W ammo. And being less than pleasant, I pointed out to him he was a liar and a thief. He was plenty upset with me, but he did give me back my money. Not sure what he could say, since he was caught trying to pull a fast one.
I've been told since that many folks don't realize they are two different dimensions. I'm not buying excuses. Ammo sold as one thing should be that thing, not something else.
For a while I was in the habit of buying the correct vintage 22 ammo box to go with my older K22s. Not real difficult. I'm not sure why I stopped.
So I wouldn't buy. Then I did buy a box with the saran wrap cover. And right there in front of him I opened it to see. And sure enough, it was full of .32 S&W ammo. And being less than pleasant, I pointed out to him he was a liar and a thief. He was plenty upset with me, but he did give me back my money. Not sure what he could say, since he was caught trying to pull a fast one.
I've been told since that many folks don't realize they are two different dimensions. I'm not buying excuses. Ammo sold as one thing should be that thing, not something else.
For a while I was in the habit of buying the correct vintage 22 ammo box to go with my older K22s. Not real difficult. I'm not sure why I stopped.
