Getting in The Hunt for Vintage Ammo

If you get a bang out of collecting vintage ammo, there are some guidelines to follow. These will help you set your sights on some prime targets.

Estate sales are a good place to find vintage ammunition. Look for those offering guns for sale. Also check out bulk reloading equipment for sale.When it comes to shotgun shells, the paper-hulled variety has the most value. Collectors should also look out for window shot shells, in which the inside load is visible.

The ammo is the ultimate prize, but the boxes can add to its appeal and price tag. A quality box can add up to four times the value. Thinking inside the box, a full “house” greatly increases the price as well.

As with most collectibles, older is better when it comes to ammunition for sale. Likewise, anything beyond the status quo is sought after and includes commemorative and special/short run ammo. That list also includes original paper-patched and black powder rifle cartridges.

There is room for the new in vintage ammo collecting. Just as an error on currency or a baseball card can increase its value, new loads or cartridges that have failed in the marketplace are considered a good investment.

Generally, quality ammo that’s 50 years and older has the most value. If it was made between World War I and World War II and is in a full box and in good condition, it carries a premium with collectors. Ammunition from the mid-19th to early 20th century is even more valuable among collectors.

People collect vintage ammo for a variety of reasons. Some enjoy the technical aspects of cartridges. Others are drawn to the aesthetic appeal. Then there are the collectors who focus on a specific time period or country.

Armed with this knowledge, therefore, it’s time to join the hunt for vintage ammunition and show that collecting isn’t limited to stamps, coins, baseball cards, and debt.