I have had this old Winchester box around a long time. It is actually in very good shape as you can see with all the little labels etc still attached. There is some ammo in it but not a full box. Can one of you experts tell me how old this box and ammo might be and what the value might be?
August – this might be a rare one. I looked thru the Giles & Shuey book and cannot find this exact box – close but not exactly. Somebody on this Forum will know more than me and figure it out. I don’t think it is my eyes – I just don’t think it is in the book. Over the years I had a lot of old Winchester ammo and have always been able to find it in the book.
The reason I wanted to find it in the Giles & Shuey book is because they have estimated values for each box in the book as well as describing the rarity and time period. There is not a sample of this exact box in their book. Shortly before the turn of the century, “Central Fire” gave way to “Center Fire”. In the Giles & Shuey book there are only 2 examples which contain “Center Fire” and “Solid Head” – both of those in the book have “Model 1873” on the photo of the cartridge. This exact box is not identified in the book.
Just because it isn’t in the book doesn’t always make it rare. Not all types of boxes made it into the book. I have come across a few that aren’t in the book and are not rare. You can email Ray with a picture and he can help you out. It is close to a couple of the ones on page 69 of the book. That front label, 380 doesn’t appear until around 1912.
Eagle said
I don’t know a Ray. Can you help me there pls?
Ray Giles – he lives in Dallas. His business for a long time has been RTG Ammo – you can find him with an internet search. He has a website – I think he is semi-retired and does not make the big shows any more. I would send him a couple of photos and ask if he can identify the box – he does not like text messages so e-mail him at his website. If anyone can identify the box it will be him.
Ray T. Giles who along with Daniel L. Shuey wrote the book “One Hundred Years of Winchester Cartridge Boxes”. The value of this box is to someone who has the other 27 rounds of the original cartridges of the same or all the rounds in a bad box. I’d guess the way it is your not talking about a great deal of money. Maybe $150-200. Shipping charges, UPS& Fed EX rules, and State laws make selling tricky. T/R
Eagle said
I sent Ray pictures. He said if he saw it at a gun show for $150.00, he would buy it. Not being full hurts it he said. Anyone have any old 44 ammo?
Stuffing the box full with random loose cartridges you might find does not increase the value of the box. The replacement cartridges need to be exactly the same as those still in the box… headstamps, primer type, and patina.
WACA Historian & Board of Director Member #6571L
Eagle,
To sell boxes of collector cartridges today your box cannot have tape on it, steamed off labels, glued seams, stains, and like Bert said must have all the proper matching cartridges. I have sold to Ray Giles in the past, he buys only what he can sell and only if it’s priced under the money. The buyer for your box is to a 1892 collector who wants to display his gun with cartridges and loading tools. Retail value $150-200. T/R
TR said
Eagle,To sell boxes of collector cartridges today your box cannot have tape on it, steamed off labels, glued seams, stains, and like Bert said must have all the proper matching cartridges. I have sold to Ray Giles in the past, he buys only what he can sell and only if it’s priced under the money. The buyer for your box is to a 1892 collector who wants to display his gun with cartridges and loading tools. Retail value $150-200. T/R
Bert H. said
Eagle said
I sent Ray pictures. He said if he saw it at a gun show for $150.00, he would buy it. Not being full hurts it he said. Anyone have any old 44 ammo?
Stuffing the box full with random loose cartridges you might find does not increase the value of the box. The replacement cartridges need to be exactly the same as those still in the box… headstamps, primer type, and patina.
Thanks for the input Bert. I do understand that cartridges would all have to match or they would not benefit the situation. Me hoping for a miracle of course.
TR said
Eagle,To sell boxes of collector cartridges today your box cannot have tape on it, steamed off labels, glued seams, stains, and like Bert said must have all the proper matching cartridges. I have sold to Ray Giles in the past, he buys only what he can sell and only if it’s priced under the money. The buyer for your box is to a 1892 collector who wants to display his gun with cartridges and loading tools. Retail value $150-200. T/R
TR thanks for the input. The only thing I see about this box is that it looks like part of the top label was loose and has been reattached professionally. To me it looks very good considering the age, but I really don’t know about any deductions that may cause. It certainly can’t be called mint, but as a collector, and being poor, I would be happy to have it in my collection the way it is.
RickC said
Eagle,Were you only looking for an estimate on value to know what you have or are you thinking of selling.
Hi Rick, I am probably going to sell this along with my guns and all my other older ammo, and I will load it all up and take it to Wards Auctions this Friday. I am 6 months away from being 80, and that is the simplest way to do it for me and, from what I see and hear, the items will bring good money and the sell fee is very reasonable.
Eagle said
RickC said
Eagle,
Were you only looking for an estimate on value to know what you have or are you thinking of selling.
Hi Rick, I am probably going to sell this along with my guns and all my other older ammo, and I will load it all up and take it to Wards Auctions this Friday. I am 6 months away from being 80, and that is the simplest way to do it for me and, from what I see and hear, the items will bring good money and the sell fee is very reasonable.
That seems to be the quickest. Hopefully you will get a decent return. I guess we all know the day will come. Good luck selling.
Rick C
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