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1867 FRANKFORD ARSENAL 40 ROUND 50/70 AMMUNITION
PACKET – VERY SCARCE EARLY INDIAN WAR ISSUE:
Apparently manufactured for only one year as no other
dates have been noted on these early labels, it is not
surprising that these forty round packets of 50/70
ammunition have survived in very limited numbers. This
40 round packet consists of a paper wrapper printed with
the labeling information, wrapped and sealed around
eight individual, five round packets. Each of the eight
five round paper board packets are also labeled with the
Frankford Arsenal information and the same date (see
photograph below). Although the reason for this manner
of packaging has not been absolutely determined, when
considered in light of the cartridge boxes in use at the
time, when removed from the full 40 round packet
wrapper, all eight of the individual 5 round packets
could be carried in the Civil War Infantry Cartridge box
with two of the packets in the lower section and two in
the upper section of each of the two tin liners in the
cartridge box. Thus carried, one soldier could store
his full issue of forty rounds and only unwrap those
number of cartridges needed in the immediate future,
keeping the rest of the cartridges protected in the
smaller paper board wrappers. Issued for use in the US
Army .50 caliber rifles and carbines alike during the
late 1860’s, this original 40 Round “CENTRE PRIMED
METALLIC CARTRIDGES CALIBRE .50” packet was produced at
the Frankford Arsenal in 1867, and is complete with the
original 40 rounds of internally primed copper
cartridges. The packet wrapper is intact and the red
cotton pull tape is present, and still attached under
the seam of the paper wrapper. The paper label is full
form and is completely legible. This packet is believed
to be the scarcest, most desirable, and historically
significant early Indian War ammunition packet, as one
of the early arsenal loadings for the Model 1866 Rifle
and the Sharps Conversion Carbines. Never common, it is
believed that a partial crate containing 25 of these 40
round packets was found years ago, and that those 25
packets may represent the total number in existence
today. At least two of those 40 round packets are known
to have been opened and the 5 round packets distributed
in collections around the country, further reducing the
number of complete 40 round examples remaining. If this
packet were opened and the outer wrapper and the eight
five round packets were sold in individual offerings,
the retail value would be well over $6000. Offered here
intact, this is a rare opportunity to obtain a special
addition for your collection. $5,500
NOTE: The 5 Round packet is not
included in this offering.
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