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December 2, 2025
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Are these worth more as collectibles, or just give them to my daughter to practice with?
November 7, 2015
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The “Machine Gun” cartridges I’m familiar with were reputedly a bit higher velocity than standard velocity. May have just been a different powder blend. It may be within the capabilities of a modern +P rated pistol but I would see if you can determine the velocity of this ammo before firing it in a modern pistol. Will need to get an answer about collectibility from someone more knowledgeable in that area.
Mike
November 19, 2006
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I can’t claim to know much about these, but I would say compared to a new box of 9mm shooter ammo – that can be purchased for about $10 – these are collectible for sure. I wouldn’t shoot them.
December 9, 2002
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steve004 said
I can’t claim to know much about these, but I would say compared to a new box of 9mm shooter ammo – that can be purchased for about $10 – these are collectible for sure. I wouldn’t shoot them.
I’m certainly in agreement with Steve!
Maybe Maverick can weigh in on these, as he’s pretty astute along these lines!
Tony
May 23, 2009
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You might try contacting Ray Giles at RTGAMMO.COM
You can search his website sight and see if something similar is on it.
Ray likely won’t want to give you a estimated value on them, but if you offer to sell them to him. He will likely make you an offer if he wants them and he’s fair in that regard. But they may not be what he’s looking for.
When it comes to cartridges, the older the better and while these are from the 1930s or so. Relatively speaking they’re not that old.
I would also search sold auction listings to see what they’ve sold for.
Are they collectible yes. Do you have some very rare ammo that worth a lot of money? NO.
But in my opinion they’re worth more than buying a new 9m/m cartridge.
Sincerely,
Maverick
P.S. I don’t have a clue what they’re worth, as they’re not what I collect and not what I would consider a standard Winchester caliber round.
WACA #8783 - Checkout my Reloading Tool Survey!
https://winchestercollector.org/forum/winchester-research-surveys/winchester-reloading-tool-survey/
January 8, 2025
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I’m starting an ammunition collection and would be interested in a box if you want to sell them that way. I wouldn’t shoot it in a modern 9mm.
December 2, 2025
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Didn’t mean to start a thread and walk away, just got busy with other things.
Haven’t done anything with the 9mm, I’ll have to find time this winter to deal with them. Never occurred to me that they might be too hot for modern handguns, I’ll pass on giving them to my daughter to shoot. Same lot of stuff these came from, got a few thousand modern 9mm, so she can shooot those up for a while.
January 8, 2025
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ssdave said
Didn’t mean to start a thread and walk away, just got busy with other things.
Haven’t done anything with the 9mm, I’ll have to find time this winter to deal with them. Never occurred to me that they might be too hot for modern handguns, I’ll pass on giving them to my daughter to shoot. Same lot of stuff these came from, got a few thousand modern 9mm, so she can shooot those up for a while.
I’ll buy a box when you’re ready to sell them.
May 14, 2025
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These appear to be World War II military cartons of Winchester 9mm Parabellum, packed 64 rounds for submachine guns (Sten and similar Allied contracts). The Imperial War Museum has the same style dated 1941. What you have looks like a mixed lot, and the printed boxes are the ones with value.
Of the the Five boxes
• Two full-legend boxes (top left and bottom left): “WINCHESTER / 9m/m PARABELLUM / 64-CARTRIDGES / FOR USE IN Sub-Machine Guns,” with the W.R.A. Co. mark and “Division of Western Cartridge Co., New Haven.” These are the collector pieces.
• Three plain cartons marked only “9m/m PARABELLUM CARTRIDGES 64,” two with later yellow “9mm Luger” stickers and one with red ink (“W.S.” and a date-style note). Those are the common inner or later military cartons.
Condition on all of them is fair and used: soiling, edge wear, and tape residue. None look sealed or near-new.
Looking at recent comps online I found one:
• A full vintage Winchester “for use in sub-machine guns” box is about $70 retail at Checkpoint Charlie’s (50-round version). A dated 1942–43 full box is listed at $200, which is an asking price, not a sale.
Just my opinion, the realistic U.S. range, as they sit:
• Full printed box, complete and original: about $40–80. Early headstamps (1941–43 WRA) and clean cartridges push the top of that; a shop might ask $100–150.
• Empty printed box: about $15–35, as a display piece next to a Sten or Luger. Or add a zero if from one of our crazy eBay sellers 😀
• Plain 64-round carton: about $20–40 if full (mostly the ammo), $5–15 empty.
As a lot, if all five are full and original, figure roughly $150–300 at a gun show or local sale, maybe $350 if the two labeled boxes check out with matching WRA rounds. If they are empty, the two printed boxes carry almost all the value, about $40–70 together.
The photo only shows the tops, so contents, headstamps, and whether the rounds are original to the boxes are the difference between the low and high end. A side shot of the end flaps and a cartridge headstamp would tighten this. Old military 9mm is a collector item first; don’t assume it is safe to shoot without checking the primers and cases.
The devil is in the details and as always, the value of collectibles can vary wildly by the market you choose and the pool of buyers. Bottom line in my opinion is “Do Not” let your daughter shoot them! They are collectible, a nice conversation piece and should increase in value.
November 19, 2006
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Buck94 said
These appear to be World War II military cartons of Winchester 9mm Parabellum, packed 64 rounds for submachine guns (Sten and similar Allied contracts). The Imperial War Museum has the same style dated 1941. What you have looks like a mixed lot, and the printed boxes are the ones with value.
Of the the Five boxes
• Two full-legend boxes (top left and bottom left): “WINCHESTER / 9m/m PARABELLUM / 64-CARTRIDGES / FOR USE IN Sub-Machine Guns,” with the W.R.A. Co. mark and “Division of Western Cartridge Co., New Haven.” These are the collector pieces.
• Three plain cartons marked only “9m/m PARABELLUM CARTRIDGES 64,” two with later yellow “9mm Luger” stickers and one with red ink (“W.S.” and a date-style note). Those are the common inner or later military cartons.
Condition on all of them is fair and used: soiling, edge wear, and tape residue. None look sealed or near-new.
Looking at recent comps online I found one:
• A full vintage Winchester “for use in sub-machine guns” box is about $70 retail at Checkpoint Charlie’s (50-round version). A dated 1942–43 full box is listed at $200, which is an asking price, not a sale.
Just my opinion, the realistic U.S. range, as they sit:
• Full printed box, complete and original: about $40–80. Early headstamps (1941–43 WRA) and clean cartridges push the top of that; a shop might ask $100–150.
• Empty printed box: about $15–35, as a display piece next to a Sten or Luger. Or add a zero if from one of our crazy eBay sellers 😀
• Plain 64-round carton: about $20–40 if full (mostly the ammo), $5–15 empty.
As a lot, if all five are full and original, figure roughly $150–300 at a gun show or local sale, maybe $350 if the two labeled boxes check out with matching WRA rounds. If they are empty, the two printed boxes carry almost all the value, about $40–70 together.
The photo only shows the tops, so contents, headstamps, and whether the rounds are original to the boxes are the difference between the low and high end. A side shot of the end flaps and a cartridge headstamp would tighten this. Old military 9mm is a collector item first; don’t assume it is safe to shoot without checking the primers and cases.
The devil is in the details and as always, the value of collectibles can vary wildly by the market you choose and the pool of buyers. Bottom line in my opinion is “Do Not” let your daughter shoot them! They are collectible, a nice conversation piece and should increase in value.
Buck94 –
I didn’t know anything about these, but that’s a fine detailed analysis.
July 17, 2012
Online
steve004 said
Buck94 –
I didn’t know anything about these, but that’s a fine detailed analysis.
I agree, that is more detailed information than would have come from a professional appraiser. Nice job Buck94!
Best Regards,
WACA Life Member #6284 - Specializing in Pre-64 Winchester .22 Rimfire
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