I also posted this in shotshell reloading forum, but are they worth much? I have about 20 full boxes of Ward Red heads that were stored in cool dry place in a wood safety container. Just wondering if i should sell em, shoot em, or hang onto them?

Is the "wood safety container" labeled for these shells?

Can we see a pic of it anyhow?

Probably some collector value, just not sure how much?

I would shoot them. I love hunting with old papers. Let me know if they shoot and you want to sell some.

The box they were in is just a wooden box with a lid and that was inside another larger box with a lid. Nothing special to the box, just an ammo box. I havn't shot any and probably wouldn't have thought twice but i was on ebay and saw just the box with no shells sell for 25.00.

Montgomery Ward went out of business in 2001 y and was succeeded by "Wards". Assuming modern methods of delivery to stores, this is scarcely antiquated ammo. Do what ever pleases you.

....but they went out of the gun and ammo business way before then!!!

If you shoot them, you'll be making a serious mistake IMO.

I just consulted with a very knowledgeable shotgun case and box collector. He says they were made in the late 40s, are readily worth, at a minimum, $25 to $30/box to a collector and the crate (which is what they were shipped and sold in, probably what you are calling a safety container) adds at least a $100 if it is in decent condition. However, as a whole case set, they are really quite rare and could easily bring more. Don't shoot them and don't break them up would be my advice. BTW Monkey Ward shells were made by Federal.

Thanks Gato, I will be sure to look at the wood container they were in a little closer to see if it is indeed the shipping container. I consulted with onother guy that said about the same thing.