Gun Collectors Dream Auction #86 Collector Auction
Lot 1390:
Description
This lot consists of 12 rounds of vintage Winchester .38-55 Winchester centerfire ammunition featuring 255-grain soft point bullets. Originally designed for use in Winchester, Marlin, Ballard, and Savage rifles, these cartridges utilize smokeless powder and staynless non-mercuric primers. The ammunition is housed in a partial original cardboard box with a distinctive yellow, blue, and red color scheme. Verbatim markings on the front of the box include Winchester Trade Mark, .38-55 Winchester, 255 Grain Bullet, Soft Point, 20 Center Fire Smokeless Cartridges, and Staynless Non-Mercuric. The bottom edge of the front panel is marked Made in United States of America. The side of the box identifies the manufacturer as the Winchester Repeating Arms Company, Division of Western Cartridge Company, based in New Haven, Connecticut, U. S. A., and lists U. S. Patent 2,009,556. Each brass casing features a clear headstamp reading W R A Co .38-55. The lot contains exactly 12 individual cartridges within the original internal dividers.
Condition report:
The cardboard box shows significant signs of age and shelf wear, including frayed corners, edge tears, and several pieces of clear adhesive tape residue on the top and side panels. The interior cardboard dividers remain intact but show moderate wear. The 12 brass cartridge cases exhibit heavy tarnish and a dark patina throughout. The lead-tipped soft point bullets show typical oxidation consistent with long-term storage. The cartridges appear to be live factory rounds, though they are sold as vintage collectibles and have not been tested for functionality.
Share this lot:
