UMC 30 US Army (30-40 Krag) Oldest Box Of Ammo I Own

Just picked this up at the gun show with my M1898 Krag. It's now the oldest box of ammo I own previous being Chilean Kropatschek ammo from the early 19teens. Box is in excellent shape and the label is fully readable unfortunately it is lifting off the box. I'm guessing as it's listed as 30 US Army that it was made before 1903? It was an incomplete box that someone added 6 surplus rounds to. They look to be Frankford Arsenal and are dated 5/01 making them officially 121 years old this month. I highly doubt I'll shoot them!

I also picked up a mixed box of 10 rounds all surplus with mixed headstamps that date from early in the century to WWI. They are a mix of Frankford and Rock Island Arsenals. Probably won't shoot these either. Worry not my friends I have 50 new Hornady 30-40 cases and a set of dies on the way. I couldn't pass these up to go with the rifle and add to my collection.

Some nice old Frankford arsenal ball rounds there too. I bought into a box of that stuff one time at a show, still have some to dig out and photo...nice.

I use UHU paper glue in a stick form to re-attach labels on my cartridge packets that have come adrift its easy to use as its not in liquid form its a bit like say a lip balm stick .

Must have been an interesting job stamping the letters on "W" and "R" primers! :bash::bash:

The Winchester Model 1895 rifle and carbine was chambered for many years after the 30-06 was introduced in 30 Army (30-40) and marked.

I have some old Krag cartridges from many years ago. they are from left to right

30 Krag with Thomas target bullet, 30-40 dummy, 30 Krag muti ball guard load and 30 40 nickel case.

Also have both a Krag and 38 Colt Army both with 1900 headstamp 00Attachment 126414Attachment 126415Attachment 126416

I found this years ago and got around to make a positive identification.

It is a Model 1904 guard cartridge with a copper band around the lead bullet, it was replaced by the Model 1905 guard cartridge so had a short life in serviceAttachment 129748Attachment 129747Attachment 129749

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Originally Posted by butlersrangers

Must have been an interesting job stamping the letters on "W" and "R" primers!

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Done during the initial drawing of the cup from the plate...

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Originally Posted by RCS

I found this years ago and got around to make a positive identification.

It is a Model 1904 guard cartridge with a copper band around the lead bullet, it was replaced by the Model 1905 guard cartridge so had a short life in serviceAttachment 129748Attachment 129747Attachment 129749

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What was the purpose of the band, a different type of crimp?

Gas check?

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Originally Posted by browningautorifle

Done during the initial drawing of the cup from the plate...

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Jim, where's the fun in that? :lol: Live on the 'wildside' and monogram live primers!

P.S. - It is fun to see the array of early & identified .30-40 cartridges. Some are rarely seen. Thanks to those who posted photos!

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Originally Posted by butlersrangers

Some are rarely seen.

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I found a few in a lot of military ammo sold to me by a dealer some years back. Some pre 1900 even...

Well seeing as how my old thread has been kicked back to life I'm going to add this box of Remington 30-40 Krag 180gr ammo that I picked up at an AMVETS show this past weekend. It has some age to it being in a '63 to '73 style box. The headstamp is REM-UMC so the rounds match the box. They're clean and have been dry for their whole life so they should shoot fine. I'll be glad to add another 20 cases for reloading as brass for this round has been "unavailable" for the last 8 months. The day I bought my Krag I was able to order 50 pieces of Hornady brass and haven't been able to get anymore since. Of those 50 I modified one for the overall length gauge so I've been working with the same 49 cases going on a year.

Rooted about in my stuff and found a full box of the Winchester red and yellow box Silver Tip Super Speed 180gr's. (File sizes too large for pics, dammit)