"Vintage" 32 S&W Ammo

[BC38]

I have a full box of Winchester-Western 32 S&W ammo in the yellow box with a dark blue banner and the word "Western" in white cursive script overlaying the big red X on the top of the box.

It is 85 grain, inside lubricated, Luballoy.

Is this ammo worth anything? Maybe for people with 32 S&W tip-ups or break tops?

Or should I just shoot it in my 3 revolvers chambered for 32 S&W Long?

EDIT: I found a picture online - the box looks like this

 

[Alk8944]

That box style dates to the 1960's-1970's. It is worth whatever current retail price is, just shoot it!

Look up "Vintage", it does not mean "old", it properly refers to the year of a grape crop which a specific wine was made from was harvested. It does not properly apply to firearms, etc.

 

[tops]

I think the .32S&W is more expensive and more difficult to locate than .32L. Maybe you could sell it and buy .32L and make a profit. Larry

 

[thadheth]

Might depend upon the condition of the box ( you say the photo in your post is not yours). If yours is in excellent condition, it may be of value to someone for displays or photos with guns and items of the same age.

 

[BC38]

That box style dates to the 1960's-1970's. It is worth whatever current retail price is, just shoot it!

Look up "Vintage", it does not mean "old", it properly refers to the year of a grape crop which a specific wine was made from was harvested. It does not properly apply to firearms, etc.

Depends on which dictionary you use to look up the word. Yours is ONE definition of the word, but being the one that you like does not make it the only acceptable definition.

VINTAGE | definition in the Cambridge English Dictionary

As usual, a little info of substantive value, and a large unnecessary dose of condescending snark.

But thanks for playing.

 

[DWalt]

That box is of the style used in the 1960s. If you provide the alphanumeric lot number, I can date it precisely. It is not old enough, nor is the cartridge itself unusual enough, to have any significant collector value, unless the box is in absolute pristine condition. If you want to shoot it in a .32 Long-chambered revolver, don't feel guilty. Actually, I like to shoot .32 S&W in my .32 Long revolvers. Very mild loads, and they don't make much noise. But not much fun to reload unless you have small hands.

 

[Mistered]

It is not old enough, nor is the cartridge itself unusual enough, to have any significant collector value, unless the box is in absolute pristine condition.

Old ammo is a lot like vinyl record albums. Artist(or 'key' caliber), year and condition.

Even if somewhat old and in pristine condition very few calibers have any 'intrinsic' value.

Like albums however two are at the top - Elvis and The Beatles and with ammo its .45 LC and .44 Henry.

 

[BC38]

Thanks for the info guys. My box is not pristine, but it is almost as nice as the one in the picture - except for the bottom. There is what appears to be a rust stain covering about 1/4 of the bottom - probably from sitting in the bottom of an ammo can or something of that nature. The top, sides, and ends are all in very nice condition, as are all the flaps etc.

Looking on Gun Broker there is a lot of 32 S&W Long, a lot of 32 S&W blanks, but not that much 32 S&W ammo. What there is has a price on it of between $1-$3 per round, with some even a little higher.

In the active auctions I found 4 boxes of the same vintage Winchester-Western X brand, though two of them were only partial boxes. The asking price on all of them is in the $2-$3 a round range. Since I wasn't sure if any of it sells at that price, so I checked the completed auctions.

There I found one partial box offered at nearly $4 a round - no takers. One other partial box auctioned off for 75 cents a round + $14 shipping. So not a lot to go on.

If I can find someone needs or wants it I'd trade it 1 32 S&W for 2 S&W Long, or 1 for 1 for 32 H&R magnum or 327 magnum. I think I'll put up an ad for it and include pictures of the actual box.

 

[DWalt]

The .32 box in the picture is far from pristine, a collector might classify it as "Fair". .32 S&W ammunition is not that easily found, but I believe that it is still loaded. The last time I bought any was about three years ago when Academy had some on sale (Remington) for $10/box. They had six boxes and I bought them all. Of course I also load .32 S&W but not often.

 

[BC38]

The .32 box in the picture is far from pristine, a collector might classify it as "Fair". .32 S&W ammunition is not that easily found, but I believe that it is still loaded. The last time I bought any was about three years ago when Academy had some on sale (Remington) for $10/box. They had six boxes and I bought them all. Of course I also load .32 S&W but not often.

LOL, $10 a box is also what 9mm was going for 3 years ago.
Those are "the good old days" now!

 

[AJ]

I collect ammo boxes, some full and some empty. At the prices I paid for them and comparing that to today's prices, they are all shootable. About six months ago went to buy a box of .380 ACP ammo for my S-I-L's Aunt. The gunshop wanted $65.00 a box. Gave her a box out of my collection that I had about $5.00 in, she was happy.

 

[BC38]

I collect ammo boxes, some full and some empty. At the prices I paid for them and comparing that to today's prices, they are all shootable. About six months ago went to buy a box of .380 ACP ammo for my S-I-L's Aunt. The gunshop wanted $65.00 a box. Gave here a box out of my collection that I had about $5.00 in, she was happy.

I imagine she would be!
Good on you for helping her out.

 

[Green Frog]

Thirty-two S&W [short] is not a commonly sold nor used round these days, as this thread indicates. It seems like most people who have a revolver that is designed for them don’t shoot them a huge amount. I was able to get a near pristine blue and white S&W branded box of 32 “shorts” at an OGCA gun show for less than I’ve ever found any other caliber. I really wanted 32 S&W Longs, but they were what I found… oh well, The point is, I think your box of WW 32 S&Ws have their primary value as shooters.

Froggie

 

[Racer X]

There are a few companies that still list .32 S&W in their catalogs. MagTech is one. 32 S&W 85GR LRN - Magtech No idea when they will run another batch FWIW. I think Remington DID until their bankruptcy.

I have an old TopBreak S&W in .32 S&W. that I can't locate to have someone here identify. I do have a partial box of 32 S&W 88 grain loads for it.

 

[Eddie Southgate]

Shoot it like you would new stuff .