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Sealed 30 Carbine Spam Can--Collector or Shooter?

Fairlane66Fairlane66 Member Posts: 338 ✭✭
edited February 2014 in Ask the Experts
I have an unopened 600-rd spam can of Lake City 30 Carbine ammo manufactured in the early 50s. It's in good shape and even has the key attached, which I guess is quite rare. I had another can that I opened and shot recently--all bright, shiny, and functioned/fired flawlessly. However, a friend chastised me for shooting it, claiming it had much more value as a collector's item and should have been preserved. So, I'm thinking of selling it on the auction side. What are your thoughts, shoot it up or sell it to someone who would value it more as a collector's item or use it for reinacting? Any thoughts on the value of this item?
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Comments

  • charliemeyer007charliemeyer007 Member Posts: 6,572 ✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    The reenactors folks would love to have it. Age wise it getting towards the end of reliable shooting life IMHO. Ought to be worth as much 700 rounds of good fresh ammo maybe more. I gave a mint 44 spam can of -06 to a guy for his M1.

    http://www.GunBroker.com/Auction/ViewItem.aspx?Item=390394419
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  • Laredo LeftyLaredo Lefty Member Posts: 13,451 ✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    Those spam cans are bringing very good money these days. You could probably sell it and buy 1000 rds of new carbine ammo with the money.
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  • nmyersnmyers Member Posts: 16,892 ✭✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    In a sealed can, kept cool & dry, it should be good for at least 100 years (from now). Yes, you should be able to get at least $1 per round for it, not bad considering that DCM sold it for $24 (plus $6 shipping) in the '60s.

    But, you aren't going to find any new USGI carbine ammo. Even Korean War USGI ammo like yours is in short supply. If you (or your) children will ever have a need for it, you might want to consider just putting it away.

    Neal
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  • beantownshootahbeantownshootah Member Posts: 12,776 ✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    As a basis for comparison, the Aguila 110 grain carbine ammo can be had for $20/box, or $0.40 per round, in quantity, right now. At that price 600 rounds of ammo would be worth $240.

    On the auction site here, Lake City ammo from the 70s is moving at about $0.65-$0.80/round. Your sealed spam can from the 1950s is probably worth at least as much to a collector, so you're probably talking $400-500, give or take,and given the scarcity of these cans now, I wouldn't be surprised if it actually fetched more.

    I think that's more than enough of a difference that it would be worth your while to sell it and buy new ammo, rather than just shoot it.
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  • RadarRadar Member Posts: 2,312 ✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    Reenactors dont want live rounds,only blanks. At least when they are reenacting.
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  • Fairlane66Fairlane66 Member Posts: 338 ✭✭
    edited November -1
    Radar, good point. No live ammo at a reenactment. I suppose the correct verbiage would have been, "for display purposes." Thanks.
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  • Fairlane66Fairlane66 Member Posts: 338 ✭✭
    edited November -1
    If anyone is interested, the ammo is up for bid on the auction side. Thanks for all the feedback.
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  • JnRockwallJnRockwall Member Posts: 16,352 ✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    Link please. Unable to locate auction.
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  • dcs shootersdcs shooters Member Posts: 10,870 ✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    quote:Originally posted by JnRockwall
    Link please. Unable to locate auction.


    Took about 30sec to find this,

    http://www.GunBroker.com/Auction/ViewItem.aspx?Item=390394419
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  • Missouri Mule K30Missouri Mule K30 Member Posts: 2,092 ✭✭
    edited November -1
    quote:Originally posted by Laredo Lefty
    Those spam cans are bringing very good money these days. You could probably sell it and buy 1000 rds of new carbine ammo with the money.
    I would do just that because it is better for a reenactor to have a chance and display it. Or see if that is what they prefer or cut open from bottom and use ammo and give carton to a guy with a historic military vehicle.
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