Mr. Metz,

I too have been doing some limited research on percussion caps. I’m currently away from my reference materials put I’ll try to see i can find you a specific answer. I believe they sold Goldmarks Caps well in the 1920-30s if not even later, but I’ll double check this. Also need to check on do see if I can find when Winchester Bought them out.

As far as I know the earliest the Red W appears is in 1906 ammo packages. I haven’t yet found anything earlier than 1906 with the Red “W”. I believe Winchester made significant changes to their Trademark & Logo in 1906, along with other company practices. 

Just send me a PM if I don’t respond soon enough, but I’ll try to see about finding something this evening or tomorrow.

Sincerely,

Maverick

Geoffrey Metz said

Great! Looking forward to any material you might find!

I found a great catalog of .22 boxes from Winchester here: http://22box-id.com/

There is a red W on one of the “1890’s Issues”, but only on one of many.

At http://blackpowderarchive.proboards.com/thread/50/goldmark-winchester-caps-245 I found some good info but no references. Such as – they were sold in Stoeger’s as late as 1947. He states that W bought Goldmark’s in 1879, but again no reference.

At http://americanlongrifles.org/forum/index.php?topic=22816.0 the 1947 catalog date is confirmed and it mentions that in the 1952 catalog, it stated that percussion caps were not available.

Thanks!
Geoff

I have seen that reference before also. It is a good one but I’m not totally convinced they’ve got it 100% nailed down just yet, but always look forward to new information. 

On the box you mention that is one of the 1890 Issues. If read their description they discuss them being from 1890-1906. So I’m of the assumption that the box in question is of the 1906 timeframe. Also they mention another box being of the year 1907. It also is somewhat hard to read and getting blury when I try to zoom in to see any real detail. 

Winchester may have bought Goldmark’s in 1879, but I still need to find that out for sure. I also don’t currently have a very extensive catalog collection, just a few original catalogs from various years. I don’t think I have anything as late as the 1950s. 

Anyway I’ll keep digging, was rather busy last night when I got home, and got family coming over tonight for dinner. But I’ll try find the time to carve out something. As I do believe I recall seeing something more concrete somewhere. Then again someone more knowledgeable may chime in as well.

Sincerely,

Maverick