How to determine age of ammunition ?

[RWMC]

I have a box of Winchester – Western Super X Power Point .30–40 Krag cartridge cases. The lot number on the lid of the box is 67CL41. Can the age of these cartridge cases be determined by that lot number?

Thank you for your time and help with this.

 

[Sistema1927]

I doubt it. Maybe Winchester has records, but I doubt that it would be easy to obtain. However, if it was stored properly I guess that it would still be fine, regardless of age.

 

[wrench459]

...Winchester has records, but I doubt that it would be easy to obtain...

Bet that you'll need a court order.

 

[snakeye]

Bet that you'll need a court order.

Why would need that if you were just asking to find out the age of the ammo.

 

[Sistema1927]

Why would need that if you were just asking to find out the age of the ammo.

Because the first thing that they are going to think is "Oh, oh, what is our liability here? Just what happened that they need that information?"

 

[.455_Hunter]

Sometimes you can find a intelligible date code on the packaging, like "3/77" if produced by a third party.

 

[Blue68f100]

See if there is a copyright printed on the box. That should give you a year that the box was made. Copyright are dated and updated ever year. At least it would give you a ball park at to what year.

 

[MislMan]

Do a web search on “winchester ammo lot number” and you’ll get a lot of hits. Read through some of those posts to see if any data fits. Apparently Winchester lot numbers varied throughout the years depending on when the ammo was made. I check on a few of the posts but did not find your exact lot number format and did not expend more time on this. Hope it helps.

 

[JimKirk]

Do you have a photo of the ammo box .... The type box can give you a "general" time period that the box was used .... not a date but maybe a year/years time period.

 

[snakeye]

Because the first thing that they are going to think is "Oh, oh, what is our liability here? Just what happened that they need that information?"

If you just asked them when is was manufactured I don't think they would be a reason to bring in lawyers.

 

[Sistema1927]

If you just asked them when is was manufactured I don't think they would be a reason to bring in lawyers.

Corporations, especially in industries prone to lawsuits, such as the manufacture of arms and ammunition, pay good money to their lawyers and tend to listen to them.

If the OP wants to write/call Winchester to get the answer to his question, then more power to him. Even better if he gets an answer, but I wouldn't hold my breath waiting.

 

[RWMC]

Here is a picture of the cartridges in question

 

[illinoisburt]

Not to overlook the obvious, but are the cases headstamped?

 

[illinoisburt]

A quick search of google shows the child warnings were added in 1962. The yellow box was phased out in late 1960s for the white box designs. A headstamp should have a date code, but I think its fair to say the box is somewhere 1962-1970.

Looking at web forums may or may not be the most reliable sources, however one showed dating the C is 1969 and L is October, with the last 2 digits being the day in reverse so 14th. It fits with the box run dates and would seem a fairly good estimation.

 

[JimKirk]

There was several collectors sites that gave a pictorial directory of many of the ammo box designs and the dates they were used ....

But THANKS to Photobucket they all have the same photo in them ...

 

[snakeye]

If the OP wants to write/call Winchester to get the answer to his question, then more power to him. Even better if he gets an answer, but I wouldn't hold my breath waiting.

Well that was my point....not to get a lesson on about lawyers which we are all well aware of

 

[mstreddy]

Not to overlook the obvious, but are the cases headstamped?

Most commercial ammo head stamps do not include date or year. It's common in military contract ammo, but not commercial. However, some times ammo makers have overruns of mil contract brass and they use it for commercial manufacture.