Western 357 Lubaloy age?

[cooperduper]

Can anyone help me on the age of these? How about some history? I had never seen SWC in "copper". The others are some more old stuff I'm intrigued by. Obviously the 38 S&W was stored poorly.

Rich

 

[smith17]

Because Winchester and Western merged in 1939, there are some similarities in dating both brands.
Winchester boxes with Winchester Repeating Arms Co. on the top should be the 1935-39 era. The same box design with a mention of Western Cartridge Co. on one of the sides should be the 1939-1945 era. The same design with Olin Industries should be 1945. Your .38 S&W should fall into one of those categories.
Western with no mention of Olin should be prior to 1945. Earliest is the East Alton address only and then the Bridgeport address. I think the .357 Magnum with the black/blue Super X on the end flaps are before the red Super X. The same general design with Olin is 1945-about 1955 when they merged with Mathieson, thus Olin Mathieson is 1955 and after. But, I could be wrong.

 

[cooperduper]

Thanks, Smith. In looking at dates companies merged, etc., I figured the .357 was post 1954/55, but didn't know whether the first Olin Mathieson ones were that style and how long they lasted looking what way.

 

[smith17]

That was the first Olin Mathieson style and then in about 58-59 (I think) the yellow box without the Child Warning semi-circle on one end showed up, followed by the identical box with the warning in '62.
Ed

 

[sub-moa]

Sometimes, as in now, the level of expertise here is absolutely amazing ...

Compliments...