Collectable Ammo?

[Hornett]

My father in law and I were talking about how he needs a 1911 the other day and he said "I have some old ammo if you would like to shoot it."
I said "Sure!"
He goes back to the safe and hands me this!

And Here is the head stamp.

From my limited research, this is OLD military surplus ammo.
The Evansville Ordnance Plant closed in the late 30's from what I understand.
I have come to believe that the head stamp reflects the year of manufacture
It probably has corrosive primers, but I don't intend on NOT cleaning my gun after s range session anyway.

The question is: Is this worth something to a collector or should I just shoot it up?

 

[Indy_Guy_77]

That's a hard one to determine!

I'm inclined to think that due to the condition of the packaging, and the fact that the boxes are full (presuming?) that it'd be in the "collectible" category.

Get a rag and set about cleaning the creeping crud off the copper. Don't scrub it, just wipe it.


-J-

 

[Sylvain]

If you are not sure and have two boxes then shoot half of them.

 

[BlueEagle]

Awesome find!

 

[revsaxon]

That a keeper right there...

Don't shoot, to the right collector that would be worth something.

 

[VERT]

If nothing else I am sure somebody would swap you a couple of new boxes of .45 for them. At least then you can shoot new, non corrosive ammo. It would be a shame just to shoot something like that up.

 

[Hornett]

They are full boxes BTW.

 

[muncie1]

I did a quick search and found this site that buys collectible ammo.

www.ammo-one.com

also, you could try gunbroker.com and see if anybody else is selling it.

 

[Gunaria]

Don't clean it! Let it be. I'm sure sure it's worth something to somebody down here in southern Indiana. Exactly what, I'm not sure. Since it's not a more well known arsenal but rather a regional hoosier one, the Evansville stuff may sell for $25 to $50 to a WWII collector. Maybe more. Test the waters on gunbroker. It's a very neat piece of history and I'm sure there's not very many other full boxes of this stuff in existence. DON'T SHOOT IT. But it's yours to do with. It would be a Greek tragedy to see it wasted.

 

[edsinger]

Agreed dont shoot it! Not for safety reasons but a collector one...

 

[JoshuaW]

If you havent already got the picture, dont shoot it. I will trade you THREE boxes of nice, new 45ACP for those two, old, dirty ones.

I can think of a few people that would love those, but I am not sure what a dollar amount on them would be.

 

[ghitch75]

don't shoot it...trade it to JoshuaW....i have a couple boxs too....

1918..

1943...

 

[Hornett]

I am getting a distant, faint undertone here that you guys think I should not shoot it.

 

[revsaxon]

I am getting a distant, faint undertone here that you guys think I should not shoot it.

And that most of us will trade you 2-3 boxes of new ammo for it too

 

[Silvertree]

It doesn't surprise me. I have seen several people show up to shoot trap over the years with paper shells over the years, sometimes in boxes that look like they are right off the shelf. Congrats on your find.

 

[Hornett]

Thanks for all the input.
My initial thoughts were correct.
I think tomorrow (Monday) I will put an ad in the ammo thread and trade it off to one of you lucky guys.

 

[snapping turtle]

I picked up a box of 38 ACP from the 1930's. After taking it to a couple of gun shows i got a nice trade offer from a guy that had a vintage 1908 pistol and wanted vintage ammo to go with it.

I had 5 dollars in the ammo (garage sale find) (I did ask if they had the gun for it) . I got a match 22 lr barrel 16 in t/c barrel for the ammo and 60 dollars.

 

[Hornett]

The ammo is up in the Ammunition for Sale or Trade thread.
Drop over there and make me some offers.

 

[Kirk Freeman]

This may help you: International Ammunition Association

You may want to contact one of my fellows at the IAA and verify exactly what you have. Some collector surplus goes for a great deal of money.

 

[Barbecue]

This may help you: International Ammunition Association

You may want to contact one of my fellows at the IAA and verify exactly what you have. Some collector surplus goes for a great deal of money.

where in Lafayette are you located? I have some stuff I'd like you to take a look at.