27 November 2006, 01:24
old4x4Age of this 38 S&W Ammo (w/pics)?
Here's some pics. The 3/4 full box was given to my father recently and I think its about circa 1902-1910, but I'm not sure.
27 November 2006, 08:54
scr83jpLemon Squeezer was the nickname of the handgun that fired the S&W 38 ammo,a friend of mine had one and I took her out shooting in the desert to get used to it.
30 November 2006, 20:55
old4x4Ummm....what? Do you know the age of this ammo?
01 December 2006, 00:45
DaManOld4x4, I'm not an expert on dating ammo. But there are a few clues on the label that will give you the approximate date of manufacture.
Note that it says these cartridges contain "King's
semi-smokeless powder".
Semismokeless powder, was
introduced by King in 1897, was a combination of smokeless and black powders. It was claimed to have the best qualities of both powders - the high velocity of a nitro powder with the low breech pressure of a black powder. King's semismokeless powder was nearly smokeless, did not foul firearms and was less susceptible to deterioration in storage than smokeless powders of the time.
Peters discontinued using King's semismokeless powder in the mid-1930s.
Another clue to the age of the cartridges was their calling the case a "solid head".
And a third clue would be the "inside lubed" bullet. As far as I know the production of revolver cartridges with "inside lubed" bullets in U.S.A. ended about 1919.
With these clues, I'd pin down the date of manufacture to between 1897-1919. (Old4x4, your estimated date of manufacture is probably pretty darn close.... if not right on the money!)
The cartridges in question were produced here...
King's Powder was on the other side of the Little Miami.
Check out the
Peters Cartridge Article - Cincinnati EnqirerI think you'll find it interesting!
03 December 2006, 05:20
old4x4DaMan, FANTASTIC! Your answer was loaded with information. I'll forward this to my Dad. Exactly what we were looking for and then some. Thanks again!