Author Topic: Who collects cartridges? (Read 9105 times)

marlinman93 · « **on:** July 22, 2004, 05:15:02 PM »

Does anyone here collect old ammo?
I collect Remington, UMC, and Rem-UMC marked ammo from the late 1800's and early 1900's.
Have a bfair amount of old Winchester ammo for trade, if you have old Rem, or UMC ammo to trade?

Double D · « **Reply #1 on:** July 23, 2004, 12:22:26 PM »

MarlinMan93,

Two suggestions for you.

First put up some posts here describing your collection and how and what to collect.

Then send Graybeard a message and tell him you want to be the Cartridge Collecting and Trading forum moderator. The pay and benefits can not be described.

John Traveler · « **Reply #2 on:** July 23, 2004, 12:41:06 PM »

GEEEZE, DD!

I was about to volunteer to moderate the Cartridge Collecting forum, and now you tell me that the "pay and benefits can not be described"

?

*FROWN*

Double D · « **Reply #3 on:** July 23, 2004, 01:17:10 PM »

Oh John you are good, but ssshhh, let's not tell Marlinman93 you can't describe what doesn't exist, until after he takes the job....

marlinman93 · « **Reply #4 on:** July 24, 2004, 08:07:10 AM »

Double D, I thought I did describe my collection? "Early Rem and UMC ammo, from the late 1800's and early 1900's."
Seems the cartridge forum doesn't need a moderator, as there don't seem to be any other cartridge collectors here? :wink:

Double D · « **Reply #5 on:** July 24, 2004, 10:51:51 AM »

How about starting a discussion on cartridge collecting. Tell us about your collection. Post some pictures. Tell us how to identify which cartridge goes in the collection and which go in the shooting box.

My guess is there are closet collectors lurking out there. We just need a moderator/cheerleader to get them fired up. We need to breath some life into the forum!

Oh, and don't forget to fire off a PM to Graybeard telling him you want to be the moderoter...then just keep an eye on your email for the company benefits package...keep watching

Ladobe · « **Reply #6 on:** July 24, 2004, 09:05:35 PM »

Early on I tried to light some fires here as he Mod to no avail... but maybe more folks have joined GBO now that do collect carts. I don't spend much time on it anymore, but I collect wildcat carts myself.

marlinman93 · « **Reply #7 on:** July 26, 2004, 03:45:11 PM »

OK, I'll give a brief description of mine, but can't tell you about other brands, as Remington, and UMC are all I collect.
I try to stay with the old lift top rifle and pistol ammo boxes. Calibers don't matter, and I have gotten into some of the newer green "dogbone" labeled Remington boxes. The dogbone labeled boxes are green, with a red-white dogbone shape in the middle. Each end of the dogbone has a circle with "Remongton UMC" in it, and the area between the two circles reads, "Kleanbore", with "reg. US PAt. App." underneath Kleanbore.
Some of the earliest UMC boxes were square, tan, with light blue labels on the top. Most of the early cartridge makers put a picture on the top or side of their boxes, of the cartridge that was inside. The caliber and a brief bit of info was on the cartridge picture.
Some early Remington, and Remington UMC boxes were red, with white and black lettering. Most were the same tan color as used by all the major manufacturers. Remington also used light green labels on their tan lift top boxes.
I'll try to post an example picture later.

marlinman93 · « **Reply #8 on:** July 26, 2004, 04:15:10 PM »

Here's the best I can do, with my cheap camera.
From top left:
Rem-UMC .45-70 Goverment, 435 grain soft point.
Below:
JM Marlin mfg. .38-55, 255 grs. paper patched bullets for relaoding. Box of 25.
Second from left top:
UMC mfg. .25-25-86 Stevens, 86 grain solid head.
Below second:
UMC mfg. .22-15-60 Stevens, 60 grain inside lubed bullet.
Top third from right:
Winchester mfg. .40-60 Marlin, 260 grain grooved bullet.
Below third from right:
Peters mfg. .32-40 caliber, 160 grain grooved bullet.
Red box second from right:
Remington-UMC .32 Long Rimfire, wooden shot capsules, marked "SHOT" on top of box.
Right:
UMC mfg. .43 Spanish, Military Cartridges, inside lubed, bullet weight unmarked.

WJM · « **Reply #9 on:** August 13, 2004, 06:53:21 PM »

I think I fit into an even smaller portion of this field. I collect dummy rounds (bullet but with no powder or primer). A small commercial loader I buy regular ammo from and who sells a lot of ammo at gun show makes them for me. I have over 100 different rounds, including most of the common American rounds (including for example the Weatherbys, etc), most of the African hunting rounds and a lot of the obsolete American black powder rounds (but these BP are usually modern brass). This includes things like .600 and .577 NE, 505 Gibbs and even a few wildcats that I wanted (450 Alaskan or 45-348 improved).

marlinman93 · « **Reply #10 on:** August 15, 2004, 05:11:07 PM »

WJM,
That's a unique way to collect cartridges! Maybe you could get this fellow forum member in touch with your supplier? He's looking for a WSM cartridge.
http://www.graybeardoutdoors.com/phpbb2/viewtopic.php?t=39185

dave hall · « **Reply #11 on:** October 02, 2004, 08:16:18 PM »

i collect cartridges i have 118 rounds. i have everything from .17 hrm to 338-378.thats case size.they are all case/w bullets.i only have 2 empty cases one a[WRA case] 33 Win.,and the other is a Norma 7.62 Russ.I want to get as many big bore,and african game rounds as i can.thats what the collection started out as ,but all my friends helped me out .now i have a wide range of calibers.i've looked on gunbroker for african game rounds.these people must think we are-D. Trump. i know these rounds are not cheap,but if they are just lying around why not sell they at a reasonable price.if someone's got some they want to part with let me know. thanks :-)

w30wcf · « **Reply #12 on:** October 19, 2004, 06:43:24 AM »

Marlinman 93, Nice collection! Thank you for sharing.

I collect mostly cartridges, but I have about 15 or so boxes of pre 1940 .30-30 and .30 W.C.F. ammunition. Most is Winchester with some UMC, REM-UMC, PETERS and U.S. Cartridge Co. boxes also. I don't have any duplicate boxes or I would be interested in trading.

If you are interested in trading cartridges I collect mostly .22 W.C.F., .25-20, .32 W.C.F., .32-20, .30 W.C.F., .30-30, .38 W.C.F., .38-40, .44 W.C.F., .44-40 and .45-70. My goal has been to get at least 1 example of at least every variation made if possible with the exception of the .45-70.
Those can get vveerryy expensive.

A variation that I have also been collecting are the all of the "Short Range" loadings: 25-35, .25-36, .30 W.C.F., .30-30, .303 S. .32-40, .38-55 and .45-70.

Others are the W.H.V., H.V. and H.P. headstamped ctgs'. and the .30-30 & .303 Savage "Miniature" cartridges that were loaded with light full patch bullets.

Of course along the way, I have picked up other cartridges as well that are not my focus but are historic and interesting.

Also of interest are the old 25 count 2 piece bullet boxes. I have found several of those, all for the .30 W.C.F. and .30-30 (110gr. -170 gr.)and one for the.32 W.C.F. (115gr.)

I guess I am a cartridgaholic! (In the above categories anyway.)

John Witzel has a massive collection of .30-30 / .30 W.C.F. cartridges along with the .25-35, .32 W.S. and .32-40.

Go to http://www.armorypub.com/witzelindex.htm to see it.

Sincerely,
w30wcf

marlinman93 · « **Reply #13 on:** October 21, 2004, 12:21:02 PM »

W30wcf,
Thanks for the info, and the offer! I don't collect individual cartrdges really, but do have some anyway.
I also have some 25 count boxes of bullets. Something about them that really interests me, but I rarely see them. I have one box of .30 cal metal patched, one box of .32 metal patched, one box of .32 cast, (all are Win.)and a rare box of JM Marlin marked paper patched for the .38-55 Ballard.
Bought most of these when they were cheap, and now it's tough to even afford them when they do show up!

flatlander · « **Reply #14 on:** November 20, 2004, 01:02:22 AM »

I just started. I thought it would be neat to build a display of the cartridges (regular or dummy rounds) that have been chambered for the contender, so I put an ad on the TC forum for dummy rounds. Then I started compiling a list, and it turned out to be a lot bigger than I expected. I posted the listing on the TC handgun forum, and we are now up to around 180 different chamberings at this point. This has turned into a fairly fun hobby, and I'm going to begin collecting higher pressure rounds as well, but the Contender list is going to be my first priority for now. Any advice on how to locate some of the very obscure wildcat rounds out there?

marlinman93 · « **Reply #15 on:** November 20, 2004, 03:14:22 PM »

Sounds like a very unique collection, and as you said, it sure can grow, with all the T/C calibers. I'd suggest you post at the various firearms forums in reloading sections, to see if anyone has a cartridge to spare for the wildcat rounds. It's going to be tough to find guys who reload for some of the more obsure T/C loadings, such as the .17 Bumble Bee, or the Cheetah!

papajohn428 · « **Reply #16 on:** November 21, 2004, 10:23:43 AM »

I started collecting twenty years ago, don't even know how I got started. Probably came across an oddball round, and tossed it in a drawer. Then another, and so on. I'd guess right now I have around 100 or more, most are commercial offerings, but a lot of oddballs! 351 WSL, 401 WSL, 445 Supermag, 414 Supermag, 50BMG Imp, 30-378 Wby, 6BR, 17 Rem, lots of weird stuff I've come across. I don't go to gun shows anymore, (work every weekend) so my collection has stagnated quite a bit. But it's nice to know I'm not the only guy who collects this fascinating old junk!

Papajohn

marlinman93 · « **Reply #17 on:** November 22, 2004, 04:50:33 PM »

I'm fortunate to live close enough to the home of the cartridge collector's assn. They hold their annual show nearby at Castle Rock, Washington and it's a neat little show.

sixguntec · « **Reply #18 on:** November 27, 2004, 04:04:53 PM »

I'll accept being a "junky" with some of the uncommon cartridges. Admission is the first step to recovery, right? LOL The Jurras Howdah calibers are what I keep looking for especially since I bought one of the guns. I guess stumbling across some "old" Super-Vel cases is where it started for me. My ignorance is a terrible handicap though, so I'm not the one for moderator or any knowledge on the subject. I'm just following along and trying to gather some info as well. Good luck and remember there will always be another coming out of the closet.
Mark

Dalton Masterson · « **Reply #19 on:** February 02, 2005, 06:18:50 PM »

I collect anything I can find. Most are emptys. I want one example of everything made, Ideally. Realistically, I want 1800s US cartridges, and military of any type. I also collect some boxes.
I do have some Mk19 grenades, and a few of the larger military 30mm etc, cases.

djh · « **Reply #20 on:** March 04, 2005, 11:25:39 AM »

I have a particile box, 14ea, of:

.38 Revolver Ball Cartridges
for Colt Double Action Revolver
Smokeless Powder Muzzle velocity 775+-25 feet per second
Dupont Bulls Eye Powder, H. Lot57 of 1912
Frankfort Arsenal

Information from box.
Bullets are RN lead

Box is in poor shape, Does anyone know anything about them?

djh

marlinman93 · « **Reply #21 on:** March 04, 2005, 12:02:49 PM »

Hi DJH,
You might get a reply if you post this as a separate topic. They get lost inside other threads.

lisa1lacy2 · « **Reply #22 on:** April 22, 2005, 05:15:23 PM »

It all started when I started reloading I would drive to every firing range I could find and get the brass that the shooters would leave behind I would pic up every thing I saw then when I got home I would sort them out I would get some very neat cases some old some new and I got hooked I collecit every thing factory and military

davem270win · « **Reply #23 on:** July 22, 2005, 08:52:57 AM »

I've been collecting on and off, for nearly 30 years. I have somewhere over 250 different cartridges. This includes American, European, British, blackpowder, rimfire, shotgun, and wildcats. I can occasionally pick up cartridges at gun shows, but I'm fortunate in that there's a couple of cartridge shows near me in my home state of PA.

It didn't take me long to figure out that I wouldn't be able to afford the guns, but I could at least have the cartridge for it!

cwlongshot · « **Reply #24 on:** September 11, 2005, 06:42:56 AM »

I have been doing the same as papajon. Now the drawer is overflowing!!

I have a bunch of strange ones, the Kangaroo cartridges. Long and skinny!

Many early american buffalo cartridges and many african calibers as well as the obscure pistol stuff.

Then I started looking for old boxes, full boxes of old cartridges, I have a complete shelf of those now as well...where will this end???

I would like to find a way to display them....any ideas???

CW

marlinman93 · « **Reply #25 on:** September 12, 2005, 02:54:36 PM »

Yes, a couple ideas come to mind, mainly because I display mine this way! I found an old Remington ivory colored display case. All sheetmetal, with upper and lower shelves, and sliding glass doors. I built what looks like "stadium seating" inside it, and my old boxes of ammo are in there mostly. (some overflow always!)
Around my reloading room, I built boards for my loose ammo, categorizing them to various types, such as old black powder rifles, pistols, etc. The boards are 3/8" thick, with wood strips about 3/4" square running horizontally across the boards at spacing for the types of cartridges displayed. Every cartridge has two holes behind it, so a small wire passes around the cartridge,near the base, and secures each cartridge. I have a label below each, with caliber markings. The boards were fun to make, and cheap. I covered each with a different color cloth, before adding the strips, so inexpensive wood could be used, but still look decent.
Hope this helps.

Jim 44-40 · « **Reply #26 on:** May 10, 2006, 12:40:24 AM »

I'm getting started, picked up cigarbox full of old shells today. 219 Zipper,44WCF lots to check out yet,and write them down. Looks like a new hobbie knocking at the door!

marlinman93 · « **Reply #27 on:** May 10, 2006, 03:32:18 PM »

That's how it starts Jim! Most cartridge collectors I know are collecting individual cartridges. Most just don't want to take up the space it takes to store whole boxes.

OR-E-Gun Bill · « **Reply #28 on:** August 17, 2006, 03:30:01 PM »

If having more than one of anything describes one who collects, then I guess I qualify as a collector. This photo shows some of the military cartridges found on my property. Wartime 30-06 cartridges left by soldiers training iin Oregon before shipping out to Europe. My property was once part of Camp Adair which spread out over 50,000 Acres in Oregon's Willamette Valley.
The headstamps indicate the year made and manufacture locale.
SL = St. Louis Armory
DM = Des Moines Armory
TW = Twin Cities Armory
The cases are in poor shape and probably worth little in $$$ but the search for info has proven very interesting.

Dalton Masterson · « **Reply #29 on:** August 17, 2006, 04:37:12 PM »

Very nice finds there. Monetary value means little when you think of the fella that carried those around and fired them for practice, to hopefully bring him home after the war. I have a very beat up 50 BMG SL43 I found in my parents garden. Wouldnt get rid of it for nothin, just thinkin about how it got there. DM