45 Military Ball Ammo ? Value?

hslaterpryce

Just came across a couple 20 round boxes of 45 ammo. One is Western Cartridge Company (Lot W.C.C. 1093) the other Frankford Arsenal (Lot F.A. 683). They are both in the 20 round long boxes 2 x 10. The Western is head stamped 41 (Mfg) but the Frankford is stamped NRA. Seems odd.

Any value to any of these other than plinking?

Thanks in advance!!!

Laredo Lefty

Normally Frankfort Arsenal ammo is stamped FA and 2 numbers for year loaded. Are you sure its not WRA.... Winchester Repeating Arms?

If the ammo is correct for the box and both ammo and box are in very good condition, they might be of value to collectors.

nmyers

I really don't know if WWII era USGI ammo is corrosive or not. But, I've seen enough pitted .45 barrels that I wouldn't use it for plinking unless I found a reference indicating it is safe to use.

Neal

Tailgunner1954

nmyers
The ONLY WW-2 era USGI ammo that's non-corrosive is 30 Carbine (and the French did make some corrosive 30 Carb ammo, guess they didn't believe us when we said it was a bad idea)

XXCross

Shoot it up...clean the gun ! (hot soapy water, oil it)

junkman82

Most of the military ball ammo I have run across comes 50 to a box

XXCross

For loading submachineguns 45ACP was packaged 20rnds to a box.

heavyiron

Hi,

You might want to re-check the NRA headstamp again. NRA isn't listed in any of my references. If the box indicates it is F.A. Lot 683, then the brass should be labeled FA. If it isn't FA, then the cartridges do not belong with the box. Lot 683 would have been produced around the end of 1939 or the beginning of 1940. F.A. Lot 681 was loaded in 1939. No estimate of value can be offered without a positive ID on the headstamp. It appears the box must be open or damaged in order to read the headstamp which decreases its value.

The WCC 1093 was the first lot of 45 ACP ammunition contracted by the US to build stocks for WWII and was made by Western Cartridge Company. The contract was let on October 16, 1940 and was for 50 million rounds. It appears the box must be open or damaged in order to read the headstamp. Estimated value $0.00 to $15.00 depending upon the remaining condition of the box.

Here is an interesting footnote to history. The first non-corrosive lot of 45 ACP cartridges was produced in 1938 and consisted of 500,000 cartridges. This was F.A. Lot 678. The boxes were labeled "non-corrosive" and the primers were nickel plated.

Best wishes,

Heavyiron

cbyerly

Ther was a huge lot of that Western ammo found in europe about 10 years ago. It is very common and plentiful. Every gun show I go to has some for sale. All corrosive of course.