collecting - The Firearms Forum

merc · 11-23-2003, 12:36 PM

Does anyone collect ammo?
I just got some wicked old .30-06 ammo
The top of the boxes say .30 SPRINGFIELD (1906) Smokeless
The side of the box says for Springfield Model 1903 and Winchester Model 1895 Rifle
They are Remikngton Arms-Union Metallic Cartridge Co. 190 grains
Headstamp is Rem-UMC 1906 and the primer seems to be copper with a U on it.
Also how stable is the powder of an old bullet?
I am thinkong that it looses it's potency and will not blow up just sitting there. I don't want to shoot them because I think there is a collector value here and I think that shooting them would have duds because the powder is too old and this would cause problems (like squibs. and stuck bullets in the barrel and stuff)
Any thoughts??
thanks

butch lambert · 11-23-2003, 04:47 PM

It would go well with my Model 95 in 30US. Thebarrelman

armedandsafe · 11-23-2003, 05:43 PM

You are basically correct in your thinking, merc. Those almost certainly collectables, and, no, the powder does not get unstable just sitting around in a cartridge.

I most definitely would not shoot them. One potential would be if the powder in the cartridges has been pulverized by being shaken in the cartridge over the years. The resulting smaller grains increases the rate of burn and, therefore, the chamber pressure.

Pops

merc · 11-23-2003, 05:48 PM

Thanks Pops
I just learned something.
I would not have thought I would get "higher pressures"
I was thinking the opposite to happen--no pressure.
But that makes more sense-I can now see how the powder would break down and thus burn faster.
This topic should come up a little more often.
Thanks again

inplanotx · 11-24-2003, 09:57 AM

I agree about not shooting them. However, you have to remember that the primers are corrosive. I also believe that both the primer and bullet are sealed with a sealant to be waterproof.

Admin · 11-28-2003, 11:24 PM

They are definately collectable, I've sold and still do
(on occasion) collectable ammo.

Do a search at http://www.*********.com and you
should be able to see what the ammo (or similar)
you have is selling for, or go to their catagory section
and click on the collectable ammo link.

Tac

merc · 11-29-2003, 07:15 PM

Yikes!!!!!
I just went lookin' around for similiar ammo and have seen some for as much as 75.00 a box
Man this stuff is expensive.

Thanks for the direction .

Iconoclast · 05-14-2004, 08:09 AM

Merc, I collect / deal in obsolete & exotic ammo. Without pictures, it would be hard for me to appraise this material, but I would caution you about relying on the asking prices on GB. For collectible ammo, the site to reference is Auction Arms. Many of the sellers on GB are completely clueless and ask blue sky prices for pedestrian items. From your description, I would concur it is a collectible item, but likely more on the order of $30 - $40 if in real good condition. This sort of box is relatively common while the market is thin & quirky. Just for example, I recently sold a box of 1914 Winchester Palma Match in VG condition at auction for $75. This was on the low side, but it is far less common than what you have. To bring good bucks, collectible boxes have to be in real good condition, be scarce and have cachet. Without pix I cannot be sure, but my guess yours would only satisfy the first condition.

11-23-2003, 12:36 PM	#1
merc V.I.P. Member Join Date: Jun 2003 Location: Pelham, NH Posts: 309	collecting Does anyone collect ammo? I just got some wicked old .30-06 ammo The top of the boxes say .30 SPRINGFIELD (1906) Smokeless The side of the box says for Springfield Model 1903 and Winchester Model 1895 Rifle They are Remikngton Arms-Union Metallic Cartridge Co. 190 grains Headstamp is Rem-UMC 1906 and the primer seems to be copper with a U on it. Also how stable is the powder of an old bullet? I am thinkong that it looses it's potency and will not blow up just sitting there. I don't want to shoot them because I think there is a collector value here and I think that shooting them would have duds because the powder is too old and this would cause problems (like squibs. and stuck bullets in the barrel and stuff) Any thoughts?? thanks __________________ Merc Living without Liberty is not Living -->

11-23-2003, 05:48 PM	#4
merc V.I.P. Member Join Date: Jun 2003 Location: Pelham, NH Posts: 309	Thanks Pops I just learned something. I would not have thought I would get "higher pressures" I was thinking the opposite to happen--no pressure. But that makes more sense-I can now see how the powder would break down and thus burn faster. This topic should come up a little more often. Thanks again __________________ Merc Living without Liberty is not Living

11-24-2003, 09:57 AM	#5
inplanotx Advanced Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2002 Location: Texas Posts: 8,897	I agree about not shooting them. However, you have to remember that the primers are corrosive. I also believe that both the primer and bullet are sealed with a sealant to be waterproof. __________________

11-29-2003, 07:15 PM	#7
merc V.I.P. Member Join Date: Jun 2003 Location: Pelham, NH Posts: 309	Yikes!!!!! I just went lookin' around for similiar ammo and have seen some for as much as 75.00 a box Man this stuff is expensive. Thanks for the direction . __________________ Merc Living without Liberty is not Living

05-14-2004, 08:09 AM	#8
Iconoclast V.I.P. Member Join Date: May 2004 Location: NH, USA Posts: 66	Merc, I collect / deal in obsolete & exotic ammo. Without pictures, it would be hard for me to appraise this material, but I would caution you about relying on the asking prices on GB. For collectible ammo, the site to reference is Auction Arms. Many of the sellers on GB are completely clueless and ask blue sky prices for pedestrian items. From your description, I would concur it is a collectible item, but likely more on the order of $30 - $40 if in real good condition. This sort of box is relatively common while the market is thin & quirky. Just for example, I recently sold a box of 1914 Winchester Palma Match in VG condition at auction for $75. This was on the low side, but it is far less common than what you have. To bring good bucks, collectible boxes have to be in real good condition, be scarce and have cachet. Without pix I cannot be sure, but my guess yours would only satisfy the first condition. __________________ "There is nothing lower than the human race - except the French." (Mark Twain) ". . . And liberals / DemoWipes" (me)

11-23-2003, 04:47 PM	#2
butch lambert Member Join Date: Oct 2003 Location: Poetry, Tex Posts: 16	It would go well with my Model 95 in 30US. Thebarrelman

11-23-2003, 05:43 PM	#3
armedandsafe Former Guest Join Date: Dec 2002 Location: Moses Lake, WA Posts: 10,344	You are basically correct in your thinking, merc. Those almost certainly collectables, and, no, the powder does not get unstable just sitting around in a cartridge. I most definitely would not shoot them. One potential would be if the powder in the cartridges has been pulverized by being shaken in the cartridge over the years. The resulting smaller grains increases the rate of burn and, therefore, the chamber pressure. Pops

11-28-2003, 11:24 PM	#6
Admin Site Network Webmaster Join Date: Feb 2001 Location: Site Control Panel Posts: 11,654	They are definately collectable, I've sold and still do (on occasion) collectable ammo. Do a search at http://www.*********.com and you should be able to see what the ammo (or similar) you have is selling for, or go to their catagory section and click on the collectable ammo link. Tac