Does anyone collect vintage ammo boxes?

Mdeng · April 8th, 2012, 04:57 PM

I came across some vintage ammo boxes while helping a friend clear out items from another friends estate.

There was a large assortment of vintage ammo boxes in pretty good condition. Many of them had brass inside, I assume the previous owner was a reloader.

I have pulled a few of the best condition to keep in my gun room.

Here's a few pics, any value to them? Some are in better condition than others.

august1410 · April 8th, 2012, 04:58 PM

Those are sweet!

I have a small assortment of old shotgun shell boxes, and an old S&W ammo box, but nothing that old.

BradMacc82 · April 8th, 2012, 05:19 PM

I have the beginnings of a collection - Peter's .45 Police Match courtesy of Mdeng (thanks again). The Peters 12ga boxes are marked US Property and I still have a few that are in the old brown paper/foil packaging - still shoot well thru my 12 ga. too. My other's I just kind of happen across in my travels.

Attachment 55858

(Mdeng - if you want to do something with that Pontiac, just get me the specifics on the motor that's in it - and we'll go from there.

)

Mooseman · April 8th, 2012, 05:58 PM

I don't think there is a large value to them, but it is a neat collection.

metalman3006 · April 8th, 2012, 07:01 PM

Don't really collect them but here are a couple I have and some off the shot gun shells and bullets I have saved. The shotgun shells came mainly from more memorable hunts i had or odd ones I came across on my hunts.

Mdeng · April 9th, 2012, 04:07 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by metalman3006

Don't really collect them but here are a couple I have and some off the shot gun shells and bullets I have saved. The shotgun shells came mainly from more memorable hunts i had or odd ones I came across on my hunts.

I see a plum colored bolt in the second pic. It appears to be from an SVT-40? What year? Numbers Matching? I have a few Russian rifles (mosins) and a SVT-40. I'm still looking for a SVT-38 to add to my collection.

Oh and nice assortment of vintage ammo boxes.

engineerbrian · April 9th, 2012, 05:31 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mooseman

I don't think there is a large value to them, but it is a neat collection.

The last time i was at the Chantilly show there was a vendor with a bunch of old ammo boxes for sale. I couldn't believe how much they were going for! Although, i doubt the market for them is huge

metalman3006 · April 9th, 2012, 04:10 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mdeng

I see a plum colored bolt in the second pic. It appears to be from an SVT-40? What year? Numbers Matching? I have a few Russian rifles (mosins) and a SVT-40. I'm still looking for a SVT-38 to add to my collection.

Oh and nice assortment of vintage ammo boxes.

It is from a 1941 mismatched Finnish capture, I replaced the bolt but changed it back to the original:

KMK1862 · April 10th, 2012, 12:36 PM

Is that German WW2 Parabellum crate empty? Either way, very cool!

I have a torn up WW2 German 7.92x57 battle pack. I wanted the ammo more than the pack though, especially given the pack's condition.

Mdeng · June 16th, 2012, 02:17 PM

I went through more of the estate the OP boxes came from today.

In the many ammo cans and boxes of junk I found several boxes of vintage ammo. Most of them full in good to moderate condition. I did find a few that were destine for the garbage though.

I will add a few pics from my phone shortly.

mbz300sdl · June 16th, 2012, 04:22 PM

I have some but Mdeng next time you are at the shop look at the ceiling there are I would bet over 100.

BlueHeeler · June 16th, 2012, 05:01 PM

I love the art on the old American boxes. That Police Match is uber cool. However the combloc surplus really does it for me. To think that ammo was built to kill Americans when the cold war goes hot is amazing to me. Now com bloc ammo is my low cost target ammo, lol. It is a funny old world.

Post more pics if you have them.

Mdeng · June 16th, 2012, 05:21 PM

The one I really find interesting is the last two pics.

If you know the history of the 223/5.56 cartridge then you know it was developed by bench rest shooters.

The ammo box is marked 222 Remington but has been remarked 223. It was probably at a time when there was a demand for the 223 but they only had the 222 boxes available. I don't think ammo companies would do this today.

The first photo is of 1938 Nazi marked 8mm ammo still in the original box.

The one with Japanese writing is 8mm Nambu pistol ammo.

April 8th, 2012, 05:19 PM	#3
BradMacc82 Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2011 Location: Calvert County Posts: 10,829	I have the beginnings of a collection - Peter's .45 Police Match courtesy of Mdeng (thanks again). The Peters 12ga boxes are marked US Property and I still have a few that are in the old brown paper/foil packaging - still shoot well thru my 12 ga. too. My other's I just kind of happen across in my travels. Attachment 55858 (Mdeng - if you want to do something with that Pontiac, just get me the specifics on the motor that's in it - and we'll go from there. ) __________________ NRA Member Utah NR CFP Holder Last edited by BradMacc82; April 22nd, 2012 at 05:39 PM.

April 10th, 2012, 12:36 PM	#9
KMK1862 Senior Member Join Date: Oct 2010 Location: White Marsh Posts: 2,025	Is that German WW2 Parabellum crate empty? Either way, very cool! I have a torn up WW2 German 7.92x57 battle pack. I wanted the ammo more than the pack though, especially given the pack's condition. __________________ -KMK1862 "They who can give up essential liberty to obtain a little temporary safety, deserve neither liberty nor safety." Benjamin Franklin "If everyone is thinking alike, someone isn't thinking." "People who are not themselves are nobody." - Gen. George S. Patton Phased plasma rifle in the 40 watt range Member of: The human race

June 16th, 2012, 04:22 PM	#11
mbz300sdl Hustler Join Date: Apr 2010 Location: Boonsboro, MD Posts: 9,331	I have some but Mdeng next time you are at the shop look at the ceiling there are I would bet over 100. __________________ 9mm and .45ACP are the only center-fired pistol calibers... others need not apply. MDS's resident cheap A$$

June 16th, 2012, 05:21 PM	#13
Mdeng MSI Executive Member Join Date: Nov 2009 Location: Southern Maryland Posts: 3,432	The one I really find interesting is the last two pics. If you know the history of the 223/5.56 cartridge then you know it was developed by bench rest shooters. The ammo box is marked 222 Remington but has been remarked 223. It was probably at a time when there was a demand for the 223 but they only had the 222 boxes available. I don't think ammo companies would do this today. The first photo is of 1938 Nazi marked 8mm ammo still in the original box. The one with Japanese writing is 8mm Nambu pistol ammo. __________________ Rest in Peace Bill Plath, we will continue the fight in your memory. Utah Concealed Firearm Permit Course Schedule May 19 Frederick IWLA, Frederick, MD May 26 Cambridge Vol Rescue Fire Company, Cambridge, MD June 23 Greensboro Vol. Fire Company, Greensboro, MD June 29 Indian Head, Moose Lodge, Indian Head, MD June 30 Engage Armament, Rockville, MD C&R Firearms Collection For Sale My Web Page http://WWW.GenesisFirearms.com

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April 8th, 2012, 04:58 PM	#2
august1410 Forty-Five Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: New Bern, NC Posts: 17,030 Images: 23	Those are sweet! I have a small assortment of old shotgun shell boxes, and an old S&W ammo box, but nothing that old.

April 8th, 2012, 05:58 PM	#4
Mooseman Hooligan #4 Join Date: Jan 2012 Location: Western Maryland Posts: 7,660	I don't think there is a large value to them, but it is a neat collection.

June 16th, 2012, 05:01 PM	#12
BlueHeeler Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2010 Location: Washington, DC Posts: 5,408	I love the art on the old American boxes. That Police Match is uber cool. However the combloc surplus really does it for me. To think that ammo was built to kill Americans when the cold war goes hot is amazing to me. Now com bloc ammo is my low cost target ammo, lol. It is a funny old world. Post more pics if you have them.

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