Prewar 44 special ammo value?

[paplinker]

I found a full box of Remington 44 special in a dogbone box at a local gunshow. R368

I am not having much luck learning of its value

Box looks great but one end flap is missing.

Also wondering why the box has a oilproof sticker on the front?

Will try to take pics tonight.

 

[DWalt]

The R368 is simply an index code used by Remington and is not related to a loading date. However Remington did use the R prefix only before and during WWII.
If you can find another Alphanumeric stamping on the box it can be precisely dated. With a missing end flap I fear it would have very little attraction to ammo collectors.

 

[paplinker]

The R368 is simply an index code used by Remington and is not related to a loading date. However Remington did use the R prefix only before and during WWII.
If you can find another Alphanumeric stamping on the box it can be precisely dated. With a missing end flap I fear it would have very little attraction to ammo collectors.

So the ammo itself has little value?

I assumed the R code meant it was likely prewar
I guess I will look for a empty box sometime. It was so affordable I bought it even though I had no interest in it.

 

[desi2358]

I would agree that the missing flap hurts the collector value quite a bit. Might interest someone who hasn't been able to find a better example but wouldn't bring much of a premium. As to the "Oilproof" marking I have seen this on various boxes and suspect it was just a marketing thing to convince buyers that the ammo was well sealed and couldn't be contaminated by exposure to gun oils. The idea of ammo failing due to oil or other things contaminating the powder or primer is not a new idea, it's been around a long time.

 

[DWalt]

About all I know about "Oilproof" is that it was simply an advertising slogan used by Remington in the 1930s (and maybe later) meant to indicate that gun oil, etc., could not seep into their cartridges and affect the propellant or primer.
I imagine that wasn't anything different than what Winchester, Western, etc. ammunition used.

 

[AJ]

You have a box of shootable .44 Special ammo. The majority of the value is in the box. With the end flap gone it is of negible value. The missing end flap is common from back then, it made it easier to get at the ammo. A collector with a good box, but no ammo may be interested in the ammo. As stated before someone with a trashed box may be interested in your ammo box.

 

[DWalt]

Some ammo collectors like ratty boxes as they may combine several of the same type to produce one better-looking box. Sort of box restoration.

Like other collectibles, the value of a box of old ammo depends on box condition, originality of contents, and scarcity. Many serious collectors will not be interested in boxes in less than high condition unless it is a real rarity. Some 19th century boxes in good condition can bring astonishing prices.