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Hi Al,
If you are only looking at Winchester boxes, the Red and Yellow Superspeed “1946“ style box is appropriate, as they were made from 1946 through 1954. It is the second from the bottom on the left side of the photo. The next style box, is I think the “1954“ style box which looks darned near identical, except maybe marked Olin Industries. This box from what I can tell, was made from 1954-1958. Will dig some more to make sure this is correct. Either would be ok, and really not much difference between the two.
Matt
When I started collecting Winchesters in the early 60’s, I thought I’d buy a box of ammo to go with each of my guns. Well, that idea soon folded like a cheap paper kite. It wasn’t long before I was picking up ammo for guns I didn’t have. Then I discovered the wonderful world of Winchester molds and reloading tools. Now I have over 150 boxes of early ammo and almost as many molds and tools. I am particularly interested in the 1873 and 1876 stuff. I love it when my wife says ” you bought another what” or “don’t you already have several of those”? I tell her it’s like fishing gear, you can’t have too much.
tionesta1 said
Thanks Matt, that helps.
Al,
Was speaking to Ray Giles about the best Winchester box for your year 71. He referred to that second style box as the 55-58 box, and said either would be just as good for your year gun. Like I was saying not much difference between the two.
Matt
1873man said
Kevin,I collect ammo for the 73’s and what would look good with your carbine is the early 73 44-40 picture box.
Bob
Bob you sent me on a mission! 
I won the Wards Auction on this sealed box of 44-40s. They will go nicely with my 1873 SRC 44-40. Got it for just under $800, so guess I did OK. Don, thanks for the link! Any info on how to shrink-wrap these would be greatly appreciated!!
Winchester Model 1873 44-40 circa 1886
Kevin,
Congrats on the winning that ammo on the Ward’s auction. That’s a nice looking box. I had my sights set on the really nice sealed WRACO 30 WCF box, but it went for crazy money in my opinion. Here’s the link. What do others think about the selling price?
https://www.wardscollectibles.com/viewitem.php?item=3077
Don
Don,
I am not surprised at the price. Mint ammo boxes are like 99% Winchesters. This may be a one of a kind. Nice box. I am glad I did not see it.
Walter
Kevin,
That is about the going price of the sealed boxes I have seen. As to sealing them I just use the 3M windows insulator kit plastic and wrap them like a christmas gift and shrink with a hair drier.
Bob
WACA Life Member--- NRA Life Member---- Cody Firearms member since 1991 Researching the Winchester 1873's
Email: [email protected]
matt74 said
Al,
Was speaking to Ray Giles about the best Winchester box for your year 71. He referred to that second style box as the 55-58 box, and said either would be just as good for your year gun. Like I was saying not much difference between the two.
Matt
Matt,
Thanks for checking. Do you have a picture of the second style box, (55-58)?
Al
deerhunter said
Kevin,Congrats on the winning that ammo on the Ward’s auction. That’s a nice looking box. I had my sights set on the really nice sealed WRACO 30 WCF box, but it went for crazy money in my opinion. Here’s the link. What do others think about the selling price?
https://www.wardscollectibles.com/viewitem.php?item=3077
Don
Very high compared to Ward and Giles book estimates, the immaculate condition must have made the deference.
Looks like brand new.
Winchester Model 1873 44-40 circa 1886
I wish i would have never found out about Wards Collectibles! i seem to be giving them money every few months! haha I’ve been able to find some pretty cool things in their auctions. Especially their ammo boxes.
I have to give kudos to Ray Giles as well. He is a wonderful man to deal with. I got a beautiful sealed box of 38-40 from the late 1800’s for my 73 from him.
1873man said
Kevin,That is about the going price of the sealed boxes I have seen. As to sealing them I just use the 3M windows insulator kit plastic and wrap them like a christmas gift and shrink with a hair drier.
Bob
Thanks Bob, I will give it a try!
Winchester Model 1873 44-40 circa 1886
Note, there’s other photos in this thread showing carbine photos on either side.
Winchester Model 1873 44-40 circa 1886
Kevin,
The picture is normally on the backs side like the one on the left from what remember seeing but the side labels are separate from the top so its conceivable they put them on with a different orientation. Now there are 2 different pictures that are on the 44 boxes, one is a 44 caliber gun and the other is a 32 caliber gun which came out later. Actually I like the picture on the front side, it displays a lot better.
Bob
WACA Life Member--- NRA Life Member---- Cody Firearms member since 1991 Researching the Winchester 1873's
Email: [email protected]
1873man said
Kevin,The picture is normally on the backs side like the one on the left from what remember seeing but the side labels are separate from the top so its conceivable they put them on with a different orientation. Now there are 2 different pictures that are on the 44 boxes, one is a 44 caliber gun and the other is a 32 caliber gun which came out later. Actually I like the picture on the front side, it displays a lot better.
Bob
Thanks Bob!
I agree that it doesn’t display as well. I put the new box in my case beside the old an immediately saw ‘something isn’t right here’!
I thought I better check to make sure I had’t gotten a bogas box.
Winchester Model 1873 44-40 circa 1886
I assume from earlier posts in this thread that the 7-7 in the lower right corner of the below ammo box is the date code?
So what year would that make this box, and how does it translate as such? I assume the one “7” indicates 1897 or 1907?
What does the second “7” stand for?
Winchester Model 1873 44-40 circa 1886
Kevin,
I would say its July 1907.
Bob
WACA Life Member--- NRA Life Member---- Cody Firearms member since 1991 Researching the Winchester 1873's
Email: [email protected]
July 1907. Winchester didn’t start using the “Date Code” system until 1906. In 1902 Winchester started using Trade Mark on boxes. Also your box uses the term CENTER FIRE and not CENTRAL FIRE which they changed in 1898. So your box is no older than 1907.
Sincerely,
Maverick
WACA #8783 - Checkout my Reloading Tool Survey!
https://winchestercollector.org/forum/winchester-research-surveys/winchester-reloading-tool-survey/
Maverick said
July 1907. Winchester didn’t start using the “Date Code” system until 1906. In 1902 Winchester started using Trade Mark on boxes. Also your box uses the term CENTER FIRE and not CENTRAL FIRE which they changed in 1898. So your box is no older than 1907.Sincerely,
Maverick
Thanks Maverick.
My dilemma was not knowing if the “7” represented 1897 or 1907. Thanks for clearing that up!
Winchester Model 1873 44-40 circa 1886
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