Is it worth anything? 1954 7.62x54r spam can

Status
Not open for further replies.
N

Njal Thorgeirsson

Member
Joined
Feb 14, 2011
Messages
234
Location
Colorado, USA
Hello,

I have a sealed spam can of 7.62x54r, produced in 1954. It has the Д marking, meaning it has a heavy Type D 182 grain lead core bullet.

I acquired it at a Christmas party, so I was curious about its value.

If it isn't really worth anything, is it still safe to shoot?

Thanks!!
 
Sure, it's worth something! I couldn't say how much, but people are always buying spam cans of surplus 54R, I've bought several myself. And yes, it's good to shoot. Probably better in a long rifle like a 91/30 rather than a carbine like a 38 or 44, but some rifles prefer lighter ammo over heavier. The cases won't be reloadable is all, being steel and Berdan primed.
 
Thanks rondog, i'm sure it is indeed safe to shoot.

I was mainly curious as to whether it had any particular value over the standard cans of 147 grain 7.62x54r, or if it was worth about the same amount (~$100)?
 
While i was able to pick up the standard can of 147 grain at a local show for around $100, the same vendor was also selling tins of the 182 grain rounds. these were going for about $180. Although I didn't look into it much to verify the value, it was claimed that these heavier weight bullets were actually match grade ammo for competitions offering better accuracy and performance.

I have not shot this type of ammo to confirm whether or not this is true or whether it is actually justifiable to spend the extra money, but this is the only time i have run into this type of can. Just my 0.02.
 
Kahuna5 said:
While i was able to pick up the standard can of 147 grain at a local show for around $100, the same vendor was also selling tins of the 182 grain rounds. these were going for about $180. Although I didn't look into it much to verify the value, it was claimed that these heavier weight bullets were actually match grade ammo for competitions offering better accuracy and performance.

I have not shot this type of ammo to confirm whether or not this is true or whether it is actually justifiable to spend the extra money, but this is the only time i have run into this type of can. Just my 0.02.
Click to expand...
Thanks for the info. According to the link in my previous post, the 182 grain "D" ammo was indeed designed (in the 1920's) for long-range applications but it is certainly not match ammo in the modern sense. I would imagine that, as 1954 ammo, it was meant for general use, or perhaps for use in a machine gun.

So, I think as of now I don't really have any reason to believe it is anything special. I'd still be interested to see if there is a reliable source from which I can determine its value (possible small collector premium?)
 
The first batch of Mosin ammo I bought was in a wooden crate dated 1950. The containers inside were sheet tin soldered together with lead. The contents were in 25 count brown paper bundles each neatly tied with a small length of sisal twine. I shot the first tin which all fired and were great fun. I still have the second tin and the crate. I don't believe they have any collector value but it is good to own history, even if it was from the other side.
 
I've only been able to get my hands on 30 rounds of heavy ball ammo and it shot very well out of my M44s. It was before I had my M38s and I couldn't pull the M91/30's from my son and his friends to see how it shot in those.

I think it's worth a little more than the average light-ball spam can. If someone has a rifle that really likes it, they'll pay more for it.

Matt
 
Earlier this year Graf's had mil-surp 7.62x54R match ammo on sale and I picked up a few boxes just out of curiosity. It has a 182 gr. FMJ bullet, (no silver tip) and shoots real well from my M91/30. I think there were other rounds that used the 182 gr. bullet so just having that bullet weight may not mean that it's match or sniper stuff; I'm no expert on 7.62x54R mil-surp stuff but someone whose Mosin prefers it would probably be willing to pay slightly more for the 182 gr. stuff versus the regular 147 gr. load.
 
Status
Not open for further replies.

Similar threads

Confederate
  • Locked
Vintage WW2 Spam Can: Collecting or Shooting?
Replies
6
Views
518
ApacheCoTodd
ApacheCoTodd
S
  • Locked
Dragunov Tiger 7.62x54r
2
Replies
26
Views
3K
barnetmill
B
T
  • Locked
.50 rifle ban...worth fighting?
2 3 4
Replies
83
Views
3K
munk
M
3
  • Locked
M40 build parts kit, what's it worth?
Replies
1
Views
570
30cal_Fun
3
D
  • Locked
M1A ammo
Replies
8
Views
2K
DannyinJapan
D
Back
Top