Need Help from the Ammo Experts (Antique)

[S. Hammer]

Had a guy turn this in to me today as he didn't want it in his house.

It's half full. Any ideas on value/age?

As I have a gun for it, it came home with me.

 

[Roundsworth]

1932 to 1937. That is a very nice box. It will display nicely with the gun.

 

[smith17]

Not often seen. Nice box.
Ed

 

[S. Hammer]

Thank you gentlemen.

 

[Old Corp]

I've somehow accumulated a quantity of old ammo from people who 'didn't want it in the house'. (Getting assigned to work the PD Desk occasionally helped facilitate that to a degree....)

Often wondered - what do they think old ammo IS?? Is it akin to nuclear waste, or going to detonate magically and destroy the house?
Even had people bring bags of it into the GS's I've worked in. Kinda funny.

 

[S. Hammer]

I've somehow accumulated a quantity of old ammo from people who 'didn't want it in the house'. (Getting assigned to work the PD Desk occasionally helped facilitate that to a degree....)

Often wondered - what do they think old ammo IS?? Is it akin to nuclear waste, or going to detonate magically and destroy the house?
Even had people bring bags of it into the GS's I've worked in. Kinda funny.

It's sometimes a race to the substation when these calls come in, depending on who is working.

 

[SMSgt]

Bids, anyone?

 

[smith17]

Bids, anyone?

Sarge:
If you mean what is it worth, if it was full of original ammo and was put on Ward's Auction, it would bring over a hundred. At a small gun show, you might get 50 bucks if it even sells. Those blue boxes from the late 20s and early 30s are not common in good shape and the OP's looks to be in nice shape.
Ed

 

[P&R Fan]

I have no idea what it's worth, but I notice you show a photo of a revolver with it. That is rifle ammunition, as it says on the box it is for Winchester rifles. If you do sell it, make sure you advise the buyer of that fact, on the off chance they would shoot it. It would ruin their day if they shot it in a revolver.
Wouldn't help the revolver much either.
Jim

 

[lebomm]

Since the .32-20 was introduced as a rifle cartridge, it stands to reason that Winchester would bill it that way. I think if this were the later Hi-Velocity ammo, it would be so labeled on the box. Particularly since these are lead bullets, I guess I'd shoot 'em up and preserve the box.

Larry

 

[Roundsworth]

Please don't shoot them! A full box will always be worth a premium, of course, but a partial box is still worth more than an empty box. If you wish to shoot your revolver, there are sources for ammunition. Graf's and Midway are a couple of places that can help you.

http://www.midwayusa.com/find?usersearchquery=32-20&itemsperpage=20&newcategorydimensionid=13950&

 

[Masterpiece]

I have no idea what it's worth, but I notice you show a photo of a revolver with it. That is rifle ammunition, as it says on the box it is for Winchester rifles. If you do sell it, make sure you advise the buyer of that fact, on the off chance they would shoot it. It would ruin their day if they shot it in a revolver.
Wouldn't help the revolver much either.
Jim

S. Hammer,

Very sound advice Jim (P&R Fan) has posted as there "Is" a considerable bit of difference in the loading of .32 W.C.F./(32-20) Cartridges for Revolvers & Rifles!!

FYI, I have a friend that will attest to that as he learned the hard way!! Also, I'm not sure when Colt started Heat-Treating their Cylinders, but S&W's were not until sometime Mid-1919!! Given that, even with the Smith's produced Post 1919, I've always recommended that Ammo be purchased or hand-loaded specifically for Revolvers as they are loaded down for less pressure!! Better safe than sorry!!

 

[S. Hammer]

I have no intention of shooting this ammo. It and the box will be preserved. The Colt was made in 1916, and ammo is readily available from Ultramax and Remington via the internet.

 

[125JHP]

Last year I sold some recent manufacture Winchester & Remington 32-20 -at a gun show - two different Dealers no less - for $50 a box - And they paid it without dickering - that says something.