Mystery 38 Special headstamp

[katastrof0]

Hi there!

Found a 38 special case at the local range today with the headstamp "MARKELL 38 SPECIAL"

Tried a Google search on Markell + Head stamp but it didnt come up with anything useful.. Anyone?

BB John

 

[Jim Watson]

About 40 years ago Markell was a leading maker of commercial cast bullets.
I can only assume that they had some brass headstamped for them to get into the loaded ammunition business. 3-D did so.

 

[NVMM]

Markell's was in San Francisco, CA. I bought a lot of stuff there. Bill and his family were really nice people.
That case looks new? Must have been kept in good conditions all these years.
Or somebodys making new ones??
Let us know if you find out any info on the case.

 

[katastrof0]

Jim, NVMM

You are probably right. Posted this on an Norwegian forum and found out that they were quite common back in the 80`s. The case was in good shape with no black tarnish on it, i did however give the case head a little polish with steel wool before i took the picture. So its probably not new.

I find it really strange that i cant find any info on that headstamp on the net. Not even in dedicated head stamp guides.

Thanks for the answers

BB John

 

[ReloaderFred]

I knew Al Markell and had dinner with him a couple of times in the late 70's. He had brass made up with his headstamp and sold it as loaded ammunition. I've still got some boxes of his cast bullets in .38 and .45 and some of the .38 brass. He was quite the character and loved Basque food and always insisted on it when he came to town to officiate at one of our matches.

Hope this helps.

Fred