A friend gave me 3 bricks (3000) of Herter's primers marked as having been purchased in 1969. Large Rifle, Small pistol and Large pistol- 1 box of each. Would you use them? Someone told me they may be of more worth to a Herter's collector if there is such a beast. Need your advice.

I'd certainly use them, at least for non-critical purposes (i.e.: NOT for an expensive big-game hunt).

Herter's stuff always was on the less-expensive end of the price scale, but I've used a lot of their stuff over the years with satisfaction. In fact, a friend recently gave me several cans of Herter's 160 powder, which is still working fine in some handgun loads.

Collector value....I dunno, but I doubt it would amount to much.

Try a few of the primers from each carton, and if they fire reliably, use 'em up.

Regards from BruceB (aka Bren Mk1)

Sure, I'd use them (as a matter of fact, I AM using some right now!) And I would expect their performance to be fully equal to anything you'd pick up on the shelf that was manufactured in the last 6 months, provided they have been properly stored.



There is some collector value attached to original Herter products, but a well-preserved empty box is about as valuable in that regard as is a full one.



Not only do I have Herter's primers from that era (made in Japan, according to the box label), I also have some RWS LR "Sinoxid" primers made in 1968 that are my "go to" primers when accuracy and consistency is the goal.



Primers last a long, long time.

If they were stored under decent conditions, they'll probably work just fine. Try some and see. As far as collectable goes, I guess you have to find the right collector ..