Gun Collectors Dream Auction #87 General Gun Auction
Lot 373:
Description
This lot consists of 140 cartridges of .303 British caliber ammunition, primarily comprised of military surplus production from the early 1960s. The collection includes 50 cartridges secured in a black nylon cartridge belt with a plastic quick-release buckle, while the remaining rounds are housed in various storage containers, including two red Winchester Olin 20-round plastic cases, two styrofoam inserts, and one translucent plastic box. The cartridges feature diverse headstamps with prominent markings transcribed verbatim as C A I 6 0, C A I 6 1, and G B L 6 0, identifying manufacture by Canadian Arsenals Ltd. and Greenwood and Batley Ltd. respectively. A small triangle symbol is also visible on several of the headstamps. The rounds are loaded with a variety of projectile types, including both copper-jacketed and silver-toned cupronickel-jacketed bullets, and most cartridges retain their original purple lacquer sealant around the primers. The red plastic storage cases are marked with embossed text reading Winchester, Olin Corporation / East Alton, IL. Made in U.S.A. / 20 Metallic Cartridges along with patent numbers 274,788 and 274,885. One case also features a blue adhesive label with handwritten text stating CAL. 303 Brit. BUL.
Condition report:
The ammunition and storage accessories are in good overall condition. The brass cartridge cases show signs of light surface tarnish and minor oxidation consistent with surplus storage conditions. The projectiles appear well-seated and generally clean, with the purple primer sealant remaining largely intact. The black nylon belt, plastic boxes, and styrofoam inserts exhibit only minor handling wear and remain structurally sound. This ammunition is assumed to be live; however, we have not function-tested the cartridges and they are sold for collectable purposes only.
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