Old 22 help

[weatherby]

Can someone date the box style ?
I'm kind of a junkie for the old stuff but know only a little.

 

[s&wchad]

UMC merged with Remington about 1911, so that pre dates the merger. I suspect it could easily be pre-1900. Cool box and I imagine it’s quite valuable! In the early years, 50 round boxes were called 1/2 boxes.

I’m guessing they’re shorts. Does it mention the type of powder? Is it full?

Edit to add: The only UMC box I could find with that logo has a S&W No. 1 pictured on the label. I’ll bet an early S&W collector would give his eye teeth for your box!

 

[weatherby]

Yes they are shorts and full Dave
Thanks.

 

[Eric300]

That a cool box to have! That is worth a few bucks. I like collecting old cartridge boxes.

Here's my humble collection of rimfire.

And an old Winchester box.

 

[30-30remchester]

That a cool box to have! That is worth a few bucks. I like collecting old cartridge boxes.

Here's my humble collection of rimfire.

And an old Winchester box.

Eric, a bit of unsolicited advise from a cartridge collector with 60+ years behind him, The advise?

Run.

This is an addict hobby. Us 22 cartridge box collectors are a dedicated group. Before I slowed down I thought I was doing well with 457 different boxes of different make and models. Then I talked to a man that had in excess 3,000 different boxes.
Made me feel a bit of a beginner. If you ever get to central Colorado, drop me a message and maybe I can help you with your collection.

 

[DWalt]

On the International Ammunition Association website, you can access a large catalog showing almost every .22 cartridge box ever made. There are many serious .22 box collectors. The very early 19th century boxes can get pricey.

 

[s&wchad]

This is the oldest box of .22's I have and they're Longs. It's a half box (50 cartridge) and probably dates to the late 1800's. They have the incorrect patent date.

I suspect yours are older, since they reference the S&W Number 1. That's a great find and very scarce.

 

[DWalt]

Apparently, the IAA connection to the .22 RF catalog I mentioned above has been changed and is no longer operational. However, look here for UMC .22 box information from Wards Collectibles: https://www.wardscollectibles.com/22-box-id/USA/UMC.pdf

Your box type is undated and listed only as "Early", likely 1880s. Later boxes included the caliber as yours does, and do not show a picture of the S&W revolver on the label. I would expect that this one may be valuable if full and unopened. You may wish to contact Wards Collectibles for an opinion. Old ammo is their business.

 

[DWalt]

I thought I was doing well with 457 different boxes of different make and models. Then I talked to a man that had in excess 3,000 different boxes.
Made me feel a bit of a beginner.

In reference to .22 boxes made world-wide, 3,000 might be just a starting point. I don't actively collect .22 boxes, but I do pick them up if I find them cheap and in relatively good condition. I haven't counted mine, maybe several hundred.

 

[DWalt]

This is the oldest box of .22's I have and they're Longs. It's a half box (50 cartridge) and probably dates to the late 1800's. They have the incorrect patent date.

The correct Stetson's patent date is October 31. The patent addresses grooving of the bullet after its having been seated in the case. The Winchester box is probably from ca. 1890s, no success in getting any closer on a date. I have several similar boxes in other RF calibers.