Found box of 32 Rimfire

[depicts]

I found this box of original .32 rimfire rounds at a new gun shop in Middleboro, MA today. I paid $15 for all 50 rounds.

The cases are marked "U", "P" and "H", along with many that have no markings at all.

While they look corroded, for the most part I think it is dried lubrication on the bullets.

Can anyone tell me what the "H" stamp would be for? I'm pretty sure the "U" is UMC, and guessing the "P" is Peters, but have no idea what the non marked ones and the "H" marked ones are.

Any information would be appreciated. When I got my .32 Rimfire Model 1 1/2, I never thought I'd find original ammo for it, and even empty boxes were going for hundreds of dollars. I'm pretty pleased with my find.

What do you more experienced collectors think?

 

[depicts]

I found this box of original .32 rimfire rounds at a new gun shop in Middleboro, MA today. I paid $15 for all 50 rounds.

The cases are marked "U", "P" and "H", along with many that have no markings at all.

While they look corroded, for the most part I think it is dried lubrication on the bullets.

Can anyone tell me what the "H" stamp would be for? I'm pretty sure the "U" is UMC, and guessing the "P" is Peters, but have no idea what the non marked ones and the "H" marked ones are.

Any information would be appreciated. When I got my .32 Rimfire Model 1 1/2, I never thought I'd find original ammo for it, and even empty boxes were going for hundreds of dollars. I'm pretty pleased with my find.

What do you more experienced collectors think?

 

[metrotps]

The " H " stands for Henry a mark used by Winchester. Here is a link for more info:
http://www.ammo-one.com/32-SHORT-R-F.html

 

[Win712]

Winchester used the "H" headstamp for years on all of its rimfire cartridges in honor of, Benjamin Tyler Henry, one of the pioneer inventors of Winchester's past. B.T. Henry along with a couple of other earlier inventor's by the name of Horace Smith and Daniel Wesson. Smith & Wessons early rifle & handguns, the Volcanic Repeating Firearm was improved on by Henry who invented the rimfire cartridge and changing the S&W "Volcanic" to the "Henry", both of which were purchased by Oliver Winchester and became the Winchester model 1866 with a few improvements. Greg

 

[depicts]

Good information, thanks guys. Anyone know a scource for further information about case markings and bullet configuration? I suppose google can help.

 

[Win712]

You might want to browse some of the pages on this site, there is lots of interesting old ammo stuff here. Greg http://www.oldammo.com/index.htm

 

[depicts]

Win712, thanks for the tips.

I checked out Old Ammo web site, and wrote to Guy Hildebrand.

He thought many of my shells were pre 1880, as the "U" stamped cases started production in 1880, and the earlier, plain bottom cases would be earlier than 1880. Close to the 1865 birth date of the Model 1 1/2 I found. Some might even be Smith&Wesson rounds, but I'm trying to determine if I have the correct bullet type of the 5 versions I have.