I recently acquired an open box of .40-60 WCF cartridges from a local antique shop. This is the first open 20 round (not sealed in plastic) box I have owned. I have been able to take off the top and have a look inside. I was a little surprised to see the “step” between the front and back rows of cartridges. It appears to be a wood or carboard shelf that allows the back row to stand a little bit higher in the box. I am guessing that all the 20 round boxes had this step.
I call myself a collector as it sounds better than hoarder
Hey Bill,
Yes, most of the earlier 20 round big bore cartridge boxes had a wooden stick under one row in the bottom of the box with the bullet end of the cartridge on the stick. This would put one row higher than the other. The lower row had the same style stick laying loose across the base of the cartridges. This was to keep the box from crushing. I guess the theory behind the high/low idea, was to make it easier to extract the cartridges from the box and also keep the rims from rubbing against each other. Quite rare to find either stick, let alone both of them. Good find.
1 Guest(s)
