Legend:
BP=Black Powder, 2pc=Two piece lift-top box, Sld=Sealed, Lbl=Label, Pr=Primer
HS=Headstamp, NHS=No Headstamp
Color Codes: BL, GRN, WH, YEL, BLK, PLD (PLAID), ETC. |
Caliber |
Description |
$ |
10 Second Fuzes |
Frankford Arsenal,
1864. SEALED, drilled wooden packet of five
"10-Second" cannon ball fuzes. Great Civil War item, CHEAP!
![](images/fuzesFA21380_small.jpg) |
$85 |
|
36 Whitney or Colt |
Civil War era wood-block
packet, wrapped & SEALED with string-pull intact. For the Whitney or Colt's
Mod 1851 Navy revolvers.
[From my personal collection] |
$525
sold |
|
36 Colt, Whitney or
Remington's Navy Pistol |
D.C. Sage. Another Civil War
packet, these are the desirable "Hotchkiss Patent" (of Feb 11, 1862)
"Seamless Skin Cartridges", wrapped & SEALED in a wood-block pkt of six with
string-pull intact.
[From my personal collection] |
$575
sold |
|
36 Colt's Navy Pistol |
D.C. Sage.
Similar to the above pkt, but calling out only the Colt
Navy, these are the desirable "Hotchkiss
Patent" (of Feb 11, 1862) "Seamless Skin Cartridges", wrapped & SEALED in a
wood-block pkt of 6. HOWEVER, the pull-string is missing and upon close
inspection it may be discerned that this pkt has been very skillfully
re-sealed and lightly re-coated, looking, to the untrained eye, very much as
it did when it left the factory. Truth be told,
I have seen this "work" before on Frankford Arsenal boxes from the 1870s.
All I can say here is that a trusted dealer has had a hand in it. Can't deny
that it's a very displayable item however, and a lot cheaper here, I'm sure,
than when it was first sold after "restoration". Fortunately, I
have X-rays from all 3 angles (they'll come w/ the pkt) and the contents are
absolutely correct. It's just been very nicely re-sealed!
|
$265 |
|
9 m/m Pinfire |
Eley Bros., London. This is
one of those great English "tins" (actually steel) and it retains 6 original
Pinfire ctdgs.
![](images/9mmPfE787_small.jpg) |
$75 |
|
41 Volcanic |
Clean, showing some
oxidation & no base
distortions. (Have more than one, this may not be the one you receive).
![](images/41volcanic19406.jpg)
|
$150
inquire |
|
44 Colt Packet
(REPRO) |
Paul R. Murphy, Boston Mass. This packet of 6 reproduction
.44 Colt "Combustible Envelope Cartridges", while not a risk to being passed
off as a genuine, "period" packet, it is minty and quite possibly (and feels
like) it contains repro cartridges (unlike the phony packets going around).
Measures
2-7/8" x 1-5/8"
x 1/2". Anybody know anything about these, when they were made or who Paul Murphy
was? Neat item at any rate!![](images/44coltPkt8528_small.jpg) |
$45 |
|
44 Colt Army Packet |
Hazard Powder Co. Top line: "Pressed Waterproof" (which
can't be seen in pic because of reflection on wrap). "Patented March 18,
1862". Nicely sealed soft pack. Has darkening at lower left and missing
small bit of upper right label ("F" in "WATERPROOF"), but over-all is in
very nice shape for one of these scarcer soft-packs (over 150 yrs old!). The
largest of these Colt packets, these 44s are always the most expensive,
usually ranging in the $500-600 area for common ones, more for rarer ones.
This one priced at the level of a common .36 Colt pkt! |
$350 |
|
"44 Army Revolver" |
Watervliet Arsenal, 1864. A TRUE CIVIL WAR PACKET! No BS about
this one. If you want a genuine article from that terrible war, this is it!
SEALED AND COMPLETE!
![](44watervliet11000_small.jpg) |
$1100
sold |
|
44 Colt 1861 Army/
Dragoon |
Johnston & Dow, NYC.
"Waterproof & Combustible / CARTRIDGES / Cal. 46-100, with Percussion Caps,
/ For Colt's Army Revolvers, Cal. 44-100. / Patented Oct 1st, 1861, Jan 7th,
and June 24th, 1862."
Early Civil War soft-pack of 6, SEALED.
(Scanned, not photo'd.) [From my personal
collection] |
$650
sold |
|
44 Colt & Rem |
Frankford Arsenal, "Martin
[primed] Cartridges, For Colt's
and Remington's Revolvers". Very early (1st year) SEALED 12-pack, dtd
June, 1871. Pull string intact w/ none of the common edge splits. NOT a
glued-edge, repaired packet as are so many of these.
![](images/44ColtF17628_small.jpg) |
950
sold |
|
44 Colt & Rem |
As above:
"Frankford Arsenal, Martin
[primed] Cartridges, For Colt's
and Remington's Revolvers. Very early (1st year) SEALED 12-pack, dtd June,
1871. Pull string intact w/ none of the common edge splits.
NOT a glued-edge, repaired packet as are so many of these."
HOWEVER--as you can see from the close-up photo of the bottom edge of
this box (pic below), it was common for box labels, which were coated
with a waterproofing like shellac, to stick to one another in the wooden
crates in which they were packed & shipped.
![](images/44cr6'71FA21239b_small.jpg)
This box evidently lost several letters of the word
"Cartridges" when the box above it in the crate was removed. Then someone
with an artistic bent reprinted the word so the labeling looks totally
original upon all but the closest inspection. In fact, the previous owner, a
very discerning, quality conscious collector, never noticed it during all
the years he owned it. You will happy with it as well, especially at this
price!
|
$775
sold |
|
44 Colt & Rem |
Frankford Arsenal "For Colt's
and Remington's Revolvers". Early SEALED pkt of 12, dtd January 1873.
Pull string intact. Spot on upper rt edge
(visible in scan) is a drop of the original shellac coating. Rare in any
condition, especially so this nice!
From my personal collection. |
950
sold |
|
44 Henry |
New Haven Arms (predecessor
to Winchester). Circa 1863-65, these rare New Haven labelings are the "true"
Henry boxes. Winchester evolved from New Haven Arms in 1866 at roughly the
same time they introduced their new Model 1866, the Company's successor to
the Henry Rifle. This particular box is reportedly from an original
(partial) case found in the basement of the Browning Bros' Ogden, Utah
building in the 1870s. The outstanding condition of this box does nothing to
belie that claim. The cartridges also appear entirely native to the box.
This is the exact box pictured at the top of pg 31 of Giles & Shuey and has
been in my personal collection since the 1980s. Similar boxes in less
condition have sold at auction in recent years for in excess of $12,000. Own
the best for display with your Henry!
![](images/44hNHA21342ins_small1.JPG)
[More pix on request but there are no other labels on these boxes.]
|
sold |
44 S&W |
National Armory. "For Smith &
Wesson's Army Revolver". Very scarce early (April 1871) SEALED box of "Martin-primed"
cartridges. The National Armory, founded in Spfld MA in 1777, was George
Washington's concept designed to safeguard our young nation's armament from
the British. The last dated ammo I have seen from Nat'l Armory is 1871, the
year of this box. Thereafter everything is from Frankford Arsenal. Virtually
perfect: no tears or splits, pull string intact. This is a real piece of our
country's history!
[This packet is virtually identical
to 2 other such packets sold during the past two years off this very page. You may
recognize that I have not changed the description from the original listing: it is
reprinted here exactly as it appeared then, including the price].
(click to enlarge) |
$975
sold
|
|
45 Colt
Nov 1873 |
Frankford Arsenal. While Oct 1873 is the
earliest of these packets, it is virtually unobtainable making this Nov
offering the earliest of the dates that (occasionally, at least) come on the
market. Sealed, with pull string and all seams intact. Nice!
![](images/45coltFA9840_small.jpg) |
$1250
sold |
|
45 Colt
Nov 1873 |
Frankford Arsenal. As stated above: While Oct 1873 is the
earliest of these packets, it is virtually unobtainable making this Nov
offering the earliest of the dates that (occasionally, at least) come on the
market. While still full, this one however appears to have had its string
pulled and then skillfully pasted back. Fortunately, the appearance of this
packet is exceptionally nice and bright and it displays beautifully with a
couple barely noticeable seam or edge splits that lack the varnish or
lacquer that would normally fill them in. A real bargain at...
![](images/45LCfa8088_small1.jpg) |
$695
Sold |
|
45 Colt
Dec 1873 |
Frankford Arsenal. These early
Benet-primed "Colt's Revolver, Cal; .45" (pre-Schofield) packets were
month-dated from Oct 1873-Aug 1874 only. Thereafter, the .45 "Revolver Ball"
cartridges, which were shorter and less powerful to accommodate use in the
S&W Schofield as well as the Colt, were year-dated till 1882. This box is dated December 1873, the 1st month of actual Colt SAA
shipments from the factory. This box is still SEALED w/ string-pull intact! This is one
of the most sought-after of ALL Colt packets!
[Photo'd in shrink-wrap] |
$1150
sold |
|
45 Colt |
Frankford Arsenal, April, 1874. These
early Benet-primed "Colt's Revolver, Cal; .45" (pre-Schofield) packets were
month-dated from Oct 1873-Aug 1874 only. Thereafter, the .45 "Revolver Ball"
cartridges, which were shorter and less powerful to accommodate use in the
S&W Schofield as well as the Colt, were year-dated till 1882.
Sealed, excellent original condition.
![](images/45coltFA4-747481_small.jpg) |
$835
|
|
45 Colt |
Frankford Arsenal, June, 1874. These early
Benet-primed "Colt's Revolver, Cal; .45"
(pre-Schofield) packets were month-dated from Oct 1873-Aug 1874 only.
Thereafter, the .45 "Revolver Ball" cartridges, which were shorter and less
powerful to accommodate use in the S&W Schofield as well as the Colt, were
year-dated till 1882. Great early box, CLEAN & SEALED!![](images/45lcFA19515_small.jpg) |
$895
sold |
|
45 Colt |
Frankford Arsenal, August, 1874, the last month these
"Long Colts" were produced. While the pull-string has
broken off (or been cut) at the corner, it's obvious that it has never been
pulled to open the box as the underlying imprint of the string remains
"under the skin" (see pic). These early
Benet-primed "Colt's Revolver, Cal; .45"
(pre-Schofield) packets were month-dated from Oct 1873-Aug 1874 only.
Thereafter, the .45 "Revolver Ball" cartridges, which were shorter and less
powerful to accommodate use in the S&W Schofield as well as the Colt, were
year-dated till 1882. Great early box, CLEAN, SEALED and CHEAP!
![](images/45coltFA21222_small1.jpg) |
$750
sold |
45 Colt & Schofield
Blanks |
Frankford Arsenal. Packet of 12 blanks, date stamped on
side: "Sep 28 1889". Am told they were used primarily for horse training in
the cavalry. SEALED!
![](images/45revBlnkFA21375_small.jpg) |
$85
sold |
45 Colt & Schofield
1875 |
Frankford Arsenal, 1875, sealed. This is the toughest date
in this series except for 1876. String-pull is
intact. Nice!
![](images/45schof75F21325_small.jpg) |
$565
sold
|
45 Colt & Schofield
1876
! |
Frankford Arsenal, 1876, Colt & Schofield. This, the year
of Custer's demise at the Little Bighorn, is by far the most sought after,
and least encountered, date in the series, 1875-1881. While the
right end edges show some glue touch-up and there are traces of tape residue
at the right end of the top, it is not significantly detracting (see
pix). The pull-string has definitely never been pulled and the long-side
edges are unquestionably original & intact as is the left end. A great, eminently displayable
example of this extremely historic, 1876-dated box!
[All 6 sides of the box shown, click to enlarge]
![](images/45coltFA21338_small1.jpg) |
$925
sold
|
45 Colt & Schofield
1877 |
Frankford Arsenal, 1877, Schofield & Colt. Harder date
than any but 1875 & 1876. SEALED.
![](images/45SchofFA21388_small.jpg) |
$525
sold
|
45 Colt & Schofield
1878 |
Frankford Arsenal, 1878, sealed. Completely
original, "no excuses" box. Cheap!
![](images/45SchofFA21387_small.jpg) |
$340 |
45 Colt & Schofield
1879 |
Frankford Arsenal, 1879, Schofield & Colt. The last year
of the coated/shellacked boxes. Much less common than the 1878 packets.
Nice--sealed, clean and tight!
![](images/45SchofFA21386_small1.jpg) |
$395 |
45 Colt & Schofield
1880 |
Frankford Arsenal, 1880, Schofield & Colt. 1880-1882
are the only years of this original 1870s style of these packets that
were not shellacked. Velocity/date stamp on side ("Velocity 779 Feet.
Dec 16
1880") is very clear. Much less common than the
1878 packets. Nice, SEALED!
![](images/45Schof1880FA21751_small1.jpg) |
$425
sold
|
45 Colt & Schofield |
Frankford Arsenal, Schofield & Colt, date-stamped "June
1887". Sealed and tight, pull-string still in place. None of the common seam
separations. These later Boxer-primed dates are far harder to find than the
1877-81 packets.
![](images/45schofF20863_small1.jpg) |
$465
sold |
|
45 Colt & Schofield
1891 |
Frankford Arsenal, "Nov 2 1891" (stamped on lid top),
Schofield & Colt. This the last type packaging by the Arsenal in this
caliber, a style which ended in 1892. Cartridges by this time were
externally ("Boxer") primed and labeled "Reloading" or reloadable. Sealed,
with string pull in place. Scarce!
![](images/45colt91FA21242_small1.jpg) |
sold |
45 Rifle & Carbine Blank |
Frankford Arsenal. Date stamp
no longer discernable but thought to be 1870s/early-'80s. SEALED!
![](images/4570blnkFA21374_small.jpg) |
$110
sold |
50-70 Govt |
Frankford Arsenal.
String-pull box dated Oct 1873. When I got this box the string had been
pulled and the ends were loose. I have since repaired the box but a small
gap exists at the top of both ends. However, the Benet-primed cartridges are
clean & nice and the integrity & color of the box make it eminently
displayable. Much nicer box than some of the still-sealed boxes I encounter
which have label chips and serious edge damage & splits. [Add'l pix on request.]
|
$750
sold
|
50-70 Govt |
U.M.C. From an original
factory case dated Dec 24, 1873 (will send photo of crate to buyer). THIS
BOX IS FLAT OUT MINT! Nothing more needs be said!
![](images/5070U12951_small1.jpg) |
$950 |
56-50 Spencer |
J. Goldmark (NY). This
rather fragile "soft-pack" contains 42 rds with the label on the end of the
wrapper. According to John Barber's book, The Rimfire Cartridge 1857-1984,
this company was only in the cartridge business from 1864 to 1866. Later,
the name is found on Winchester percussion cap tins indicating that
Winchester acquired the Goldmark business at some point after the Civil War.
Obviously a very scarce packet that, unlike most Goldmark pkts I've seen,
has somehow held together this very heavy load in a rather delicate wrapping
for 150 years!
![](images/5650jg21390_small1.jpg) |
$650
sold |
56-50 Spencer |
Sage Ammunition Works. Ca
mid/late-1860s, this square box contains 42 ctdgs in 6 sealed, unmarked packets of 7 rds each (the magazine capacity of the Spencer). While the label shows
scuffing and there are small tape removal stains at the lid corners, the box
is very solid with none of the usual bottom seam splits. A great early &
historical display item--CHEAP!!
![](images/5650SpSAW21384_small.jpg) |
$595
sold |