Apologies right from the get-go as I cannot provide a picture of this ammo. Here is a pic swiped from the web of boxes that are very, very similar to what I'm holding:
http://i880.photobucket.com/albums/ac4/Craftsmanpics/Picture551_zps7d09517b.jpg
However, my box is different slightly in that instead of saying simply "MATCH", mine says "MATCH WADCUTTER" and the horizontal line in the picture appears to be a double line, mine has a single fine line. Also marked OLIN CORPORATION.
Also, in the picture, the lot number appears to be entirely stamped on the box whereas on my box, the leading part of the lot number is printed on the box just as all of the other information is printed, and only the last four digits are inked-stamped at the end.
The full lot number is indicated as LOT WCC-40-6005
The headstamp on each round is a simple W-W and .45 Auto as if it were commercial ammo, it's not a GI headstamp as I've been accustomed to seeing. (such as WCC93 or TZZ90 or the like)
Furthermore, while the cartridge case is traditional brass, the primer is more nickel plated or silver in color and it is a domed primer. This domed primer just makes me want to think this stuff is very old.
The condition of the box is absolutely superb. As I am not an ammo box collector, I am simply not qualified to call the condition "mint" but as a casual gun guy who has seen plenty of -OLD- stuff at gun shows, I'd say the condition of the box is awfully, awfully good if the ammo is old.
The bullets appear to be a 185 grain jacketed SWC, but I haven't pulled any to weigh them. Loaded rounds seem to weigh around 275 grains.
So it's obvious that this was an Olin/Winchester product but can someone tell me the age of it? And while I simply wouldn't imagine that it is corrosive ammo, the domed primer has me at least asking at this point if perhaps it might be corrosive? Did the US ever issue corrosive primed handgun ammo.
I have little doubt that you guys can nail this one, I look forward to hearing it.
http://i880.photobucket.com/albums/ac4/Craftsmanpics/Picture551_zps7d09517b.jpg
However, my box is different slightly in that instead of saying simply "MATCH", mine says "MATCH WADCUTTER" and the horizontal line in the picture appears to be a double line, mine has a single fine line. Also marked OLIN CORPORATION.
Also, in the picture, the lot number appears to be entirely stamped on the box whereas on my box, the leading part of the lot number is printed on the box just as all of the other information is printed, and only the last four digits are inked-stamped at the end.
The full lot number is indicated as LOT WCC-40-6005
The headstamp on each round is a simple W-W and .45 Auto as if it were commercial ammo, it's not a GI headstamp as I've been accustomed to seeing. (such as WCC93 or TZZ90 or the like)
Furthermore, while the cartridge case is traditional brass, the primer is more nickel plated or silver in color and it is a domed primer. This domed primer just makes me want to think this stuff is very old.
The condition of the box is absolutely superb. As I am not an ammo box collector, I am simply not qualified to call the condition "mint" but as a casual gun guy who has seen plenty of -OLD- stuff at gun shows, I'd say the condition of the box is awfully, awfully good if the ammo is old.
The bullets appear to be a 185 grain jacketed SWC, but I haven't pulled any to weigh them. Loaded rounds seem to weigh around 275 grains.
So it's obvious that this was an Olin/Winchester product but can someone tell me the age of it? And while I simply wouldn't imagine that it is corrosive ammo, the domed primer has me at least asking at this point if perhaps it might be corrosive? Did the US ever issue corrosive primed handgun ammo.
I have little doubt that you guys can nail this one, I look forward to hearing it.