Vintage Ammo

Not by any means an suthority on the subject - and I've seen displays of vintage .22 rounds at collector (cartridge and gun) shows. So there are those who know more than me.
I will give you what I have.
The green Winchester boxes predate my knowledge. Likely prior to the 1930s and possibly further back.
The green Win .22 short is likely older. The cover shows the numerals 15-10-8 suggesting 1915, October 8th.
The blue box of Win .22 short seems to be in my memory. In the possession of my late father or late brother. Probably purchased by them - again in my somewhat slippery memory - probably in the late 1930s or 1940s.
The Union Metallic Cartridge company was purchased by Remington (ammunition) in the early 1920s. The name was used for decades afterward, as I have centerfire cases head stamped "Rem-UMC", so that does not guarantee the box shown was made prior to 1923 or so. (Again, my memory.)
Winchester Wildcat and the Federal boxes I remember from purchasing in my youth. Late '60s, early '70s or so.

That is a somewhat shaky idea for you to start.

Cool pictures! Thanks for posting.

No expert either but I would wager some of those boxes have a considerable monetary value. Especially if the seal is unbroken.

Wow, if they're making a big thing about being SMOKELESS!! they've got to be really, REALLY OLD!!

The early boxes are what is generally referred to as 2 part boxes. The two halves are taped together around the middle and when removed the top lifts off like a lid. No hinges .Those boxes are certainly collectable. I had a collection of old cartridges and boxes but gave them to my brother. There are books giving information on collectable ammunition. You can also look at Gun Broker as they have a section in which old ammunition is sold. Ebay has sales of just the old boxes. Collectors want the two part boxes with the box sealed and ammo intake. You have a few nice boxes of ammo. Thanks for sharing.

Not exclusively .22 but here's a few oldies in my meager collection, my guess is the centerfire is 50's with the rimfire representing the 60's and 70's. I well remember the old Super X boxes, I went through many of those as a kid. I had never seen the Mohawk until I inherited them recently.

I found four boxes of .256 win Super X loaded

Hey, now. What you calling "vintage"?? I'm still shooting some of that Winchester Wildcat ammo with 79 cent price stickers on it from Target!! (That's Target department stores in MN, NOT Target Sports!!)

armedwalleye said:

Hey, now. What you calling "vintage"?? I'm still shooting some of that Winchester Wildcat ammo with 79 cent price stickers on it from Target!! (That's Target department stores in MN, NOT Target Sports!!)

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Yeah I've got several bricks of Wildcat from Target, I guess we are also "vintage".

ICI made limited amounts of .22 during WW2, mostly for varmint destruction, you would have a hard time prising any out the War Agricultural Committees for anything else.