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WORLD WAR TWO .30 CALIBER M2 AMMUNITION
FOR THE M-1 RIFLE –COMPLETE 20 ROUND BOXES - FRANKFORD ARSENAL & CIVILIAN
CONTRACT - BALL, ARMOR PIERCING, FRANGIBLE LOADINGS
AND SINGLE ROUNDS: A very nice
selection of full packets of
.30 Caliber
ammunition as issued for the M-1 Garand Rifle before,
during, and after World War Two. Each packet and
crate is described individually below with accompanying
photographs.
LABEL CALL
OUTS - "MODEL 1906",
"M1", AND "M2":
In an effort to clear up some misunderstandings
regarding these packets, I offer the following. The
"M-1" included in the label of some packets does not
refer to the M-1 Garand Rifle, but rather it was the
Ordnance Department’s designation of the cartridge in
the packet.
In
1906 the Model 1903 Ball Cartridge was replaced by the
.30 Caliber Ball Cartridge “Model 1906”. That
designation continued through World War One and well
into the interwar years. The packets of cartridges
produced during that period bore a label using “Model
1906” in the call out. While the majority of these
packets I’ve seen held the twenty cartridges packed in
five round clips, there are packets which held the 20
cartridges packed in the multi-cell paperboard
dividers.
Beginning in the years immediately following World War
One, the Ordnance Department pursued a lengthy schedule
of experiments based on battlefield experience with the
cartridge and including emerging technology which
addressed all the components of the cartridge – bullet
and case design, powder and primer. As early as the
mid-1920’s, the Ordnance Department began making
reference to “M1” when referencing a new bullet.
The
record is not clear as to when the Ordnance Department
changed the official designation of the .30 Caliber Ball
Cartridge from “Model 1906” to “M1”. This was not a
capricious change, it was based on real differences and
improvements to the cartridge, but the date of the
change of the nomenclature, and important to collectors,
the change to the label on the packets is, to my
knowledge, unknown.
What
is known is that packets bearing the “M1” label contain
cartridges headstamped as early as 1934, and as late as
1940. At one time I had a set of four National Match
packets dated 1937, 1938, 1939, and 1940 respectively,
and all four included “M1” in the label.
In
1940, the “.30 Caliber Ball Cartridge M2” appeared and
became the standard issue cartridge. Without getting
down in the weeds as to the technical differences, this
change is well described in
History of
Modern U.S. Military Small Arms Ammunition,
Vol. II, by Hackley, Woodin and Scranton:
"In 1940 the standard ball
cartridge was the M2, which had been standardized for
ground use by the Ordnance Committee on November 9, 1939
(approved January 12, 1940). At the same time the M1
Ball cartridge was reclassified as Limited Standard,
except for use in aircraft machine guns by the U.S. Navy
where it was still standard." The last loaded at
Frankford was Lot 2161 (accepted 24 October, 1941). The
lot consisted of 601,500 rounds. The M1 Ball was
declared obsolete on 17 August 1944.”
As to
which cartridge – the M1 or the M2 – is the proper
cartridge to be displayed with a World War Two vintage
M-1 Garand Rifle, in 1940 and 1941 there were concerns
expressed as to which cartridge would function best in
the M-1 Rifle. Tests were conducted at Ft. Benning,
Georgia and it was found the M2 Cartridge performed
better, but it was noted the M1 Cartridge produced less
smoke and muzzle flash than the M2. Reports from the
tests went on to say that the use of the M2 Cartridge in
the M-1 Rifle “greatly improved its performance.” As a
result of these tests, the production of the M1
Cartridge was greatly reduced and eventually it was
declared obsolete.
NOTE:
At the bottom of this page are several offerings of
single cartridges - both World War Two vintage .30
caliber rounds and the later 7.62 rounds for the M-14
Rifle.
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No. 1
WORLD
WAR TWO .30 CALIBER M-2 RIFLE BALL AMMUNITION –COMPLETE
PACKETS OF 20 ROUNDS – HEADSTAMPED 1942 – EAU CLAIRE
ORDNANCE PLANT:
These World War Two issue packets of “20 CARTRIDGES BALL
.30 M2” were produced at the Eau Claire Ordnance
Plant. I acquired these packets from an old collection
and all of the packets were produced in the same
production run - all bearing the same “28150-C” Eau
Claire lot number.
Based on this same lot
number, and an inspection of the packets in this group
which have been opened, all of the cartridges bear the
same headstamp “EW 42” indicating a production date of
1942, and establishing this lot as an early World War
Two production run. The Eau Claire Ordnance
Plant, Eau Claire, Wisconsin was operated by the US
Rubber Company from August 1942 to December 1943. These
packets feature a desirable head stamp date, pre-dating
many of the major battles in the European and the
Pacific theaters, and are a loading from an Ordnance
plant that is not often encountered.
All of these packets retain the original 20 cartridges
with matching headstamps, the labels are all full form,
intact and legible, and the packets retain their shape
and integrity with no misshaping or weak spots.
The packets present in three categories of condition –
the first group in “like new” unissued condition, still
sealed with all the seams and panels intact; the second
group in like condition as the first, but the top flap
has been opened by carefully cutting the seam along the
front edge of the lid so the cartridges can be viewed,
and all the original cartridges intact; and the third
group which are still sealed, all the seams intact, but
the pointed tips of the bullets have pierced the bottom
panel of the packet. Each group is listed separately
below, with photographs of each category example, with a
price for each group. If you have any questions, please
do not hesitate to ask.
These early World War
Two loadings in the original boxes, and with all of the
original cartridges present, are becoming increasingly
difficult to find, especially in this condition, and
they will be a nice addition to display with an M-1
Rifle or in any context in your collection of WWII
material.
No. 1 GROUP A
.30 CALIBER M-2
RIFLE BALL AMMUNITION –COMPLETE PACKETS OF 20 ROUNDS –
HEADSTAMPED 1942 – EAU CLAIRE ORDNANCE PLANT:
Sealed packets in like new condition (0306a) $85
No. 1 GROUP B
.30 CALIBER M-2
RIFLE BALL AMMUNITION –COMPLETE PACKETS OF 20 ROUNDS –
HEADSTAMPED 1942 – EAU CLAIRE ORDNANCE PLANT:
Sealed packets in which the bullet points have pierced
the bottom panel, however the balance of the packet is
in like new unopened condition. Displayed upright, the
punctures of the bottom are not visible (0306b) $80
No. 1 GROUP C
.30 CALIBER M-2
RIFLE BALL AMMUNITION –COMPLETE PACKETS OF 20 ROUNDS –
HEADSTAMPED 1942 – EAU CLAIRE ORDNANCE PLANT:
Packet lids have been opened along one edge, however the
balance of the packet is in like new condition. (0306c)
$75
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No.
2
WORLD WAR TWO .30
CALIBER M-1 RIFLE FRANGIBLE AMMUNITION – FULL PACKET
WITH ALL ORIGINAL 20 ROUNDS – DATED 1944:
This World War Two issue packet of
“20 CARTRIDGES BALL, FRANGIBLE CALIBER .30 T-44” is a
special load intended for use in training on short
outdoor ranges and indoor ranges with not only the M-1
Garand Rifle, but also the .30 caliber machine guns and
as a sub-caliber round for training with the larger
artillery guns. The projectile is a porcelain-like
material that would disintegrate on impact and eliminate
the danger of a ricochet.
The packet has a full,
legible label with some minor scuffing which indicates
this packet was produced at the Lake City Ordnance
Plant. The box has been opened as can be seen in the
photos, however the top panel is still attached and all
twenty rounds are present. All 20
cartridges are head stamped “L C 44”,
pre-dating the end if
World War Two and all manufactured at the Lake City
Plant. The packet is full form, and while showing some
soiling due to age, and some traces of old tape, this is
still a very credible specimen of a packet not often
encountered.
One of the scarcer
packets of the period, this packet
will make a nice addition to display with a World War
Two dated M-1 Rifle or to add to any display to
illustrate the intense weapons training necessary to
prepare the troops for combat, will enable you to see
the cartridges without having to open a sealed box.
(0720) $65
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No. 3
WINCHESTER REPEATING ARMS COMPANY .30 CALIBER M-2
RIFLE BALL AMMUNITION –COMPLETE PACKET OF 20 ROUNDS –
HEADSTAMPED 1954:
This Winchester Repeating Arms Company packet of “20
CARTRIDGES BALL .30 M2” were produced immediately
following the Korean War.
This packet is much more
simple in construction that those produced during World
War Two, consisting of a pasteboard carton with a single
line of original tape securing the top panel and a
simple ink-stamped label on the front of the packet.
The original top panel has survived with the packet, but
it is detached along both edges. Otherwise the
packet is in excellent condition with sharp edges, solid
joints and no misshaping. All twenty of the
matching cartridges are present and all are headstamped
“WRA 54” indicating a production date of 1954.
This is an interesting
packet from the Cold War years, one I haven't seen
before, and one which would display with a M-1 Rifle of
that era.
(0722) $50
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No. 4
NATIONAL MATCH .30
CALIBER M-1 RIFLE BALL AMMUNITION - DATED 1965 – LAKE
CITY ARMY AMMUNITION PLANT – SEALED BOX OF 20 ROUNDS –
VERY SCARCE OFFERING OF EARLY NATIONAL MATCH LOADINGS:
A very scarce offering, this is an unopened box of
National Match .30 Caliber Ball Ammunition for the M-1
Rifle,
manufactured at the Lake City Army Ammunition Plant,
dated 1965.
As described in Ray Meketa’s article, “U.S. National
Match Rifle Ammunition” published in the Rifleman’s
Journal, “In 1903, Congress established the
National Board for the Promotion of Rifle Practice (NBPRP)
and the National Matches. At first limited to the
military services using service rifles and ammunition,
the program was soon expanded to include all members of
the Armed Forces, National Guard, reserves, and
civilians. The matches became an official function of
the U. S. Government, first managed by the Department of
War and later the Department of the Army. Competition
consisted of both individual and team matches conducted
at local, regional, and divisional levels, culminating
in the National Matches at an appropriate range - now
Camp Perry, Ohio. When competing in National Trophy (NT)
or Excellence In Competition (EIC) Matches, cartridges
would be issued on the line and no other ammunition was
allowed.
“From 1931 through 1940, all ammunition manufactured
by Frankford Arsenal intended for National Match use
exhibited virtually identical characteristics: 172
grain, 9 degree boat-tail, M1 bullets at 2600 fps,
loaded with IMR #1185 powder. The 1931 ammunition
appears to be standard M1 (FA 31), and, except for 1934
when none was produced, all others bear the traditional
National Match headstamp (FA 32 NM to FA 40 NM).
“Except for a few local and regional events, most
matches were cancelled from 1941 through 1952.”
Resumed in 1953, the
National Matches continue to this day and the ammunition
is still provided to the contestants on the firing line
to insure consistent competitive standards. Due to this
limited manufacture and issue, surviving boxes of
ammunition from the earlier National Matches are a
collector’s item in their own right and are quite scarce
on the market.
This box is in excellent
condition, completely sealed with no evidence it was
ever opened. The labels are printed directly on the
paperboard packet walls and they are all complete and
fully legible. The box is full form with no misshaping
and only the most minor evidence of shelf wear in
isolated points on the edges.
That any of these boxes
of National Match ammunition survive today is remarkable
to say the least. (0205) $85 (Only two identical boxes
available)
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No. 5
.30
CALIBER M-2 RIFLE BLANK AMMUNITION IN A M-1 RIFLE CLIP:
A M-1 Rifle Clip loaded with eight unfired blank rounds
with various headstamps dating from the 1950's.
The clip shows no evidence of use or wear and presents
in very good condition. An interesting piece to
display with your rifle.
(0719) $15
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No. 6
.30
CALIBER M-2 RIFLE BLANK AMMUNITION IN A SECTION OF A
MACHINE GUN BELT:
A section of belted .30 Caliber M-2 Rifle Blank
Cartridges, loaded with thirteen unfired blank rounds
with various headstamps dating from the 1950's.
The links appear to be unused and all are full form with
no misshaping. An interesting display piece to add
to your collection.
(0717) $20
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No. 7 FRANKFORD ARSENAL
ORDNANCE DEPARTMENT SHOP TEST .30 CALIBER CARTRIDGE -
DATED 1944:
An uncommon Frankford Arsenal Shop or Bench Function and
Test Round. This is an inert cartridge, incapable of
being fired that was used in the arsenal and armory
workshops to test the function of all of the firearms
chambered for the .30-06 cartridge, such as the .30
Water cooled and Air cooled machine guns, the M1903,
M1917 Bolt Action Rifles, the M1 Garand Rifle, and the
Browning Automatic Rifle. The aluminum cartridge case
has four holes drilled through the case wall to preclude
it from holding a powder charge and the primer pocket is
not drilled through to the powder chamber. So designed,
this prevented a live round from being fired in a
populated working environment. These test cartridges
were loaded with a live primer and then cycled through
the firearm to ensure such functions as loading,
extraction, firing pin strike, etc. were operating
properly. This cartridge is head stamped “F A” for
Frankford Arsenal and “4” for 1944. This is one of
those scarce Ordnance Department items that only
surfaces once in a while to add to your collection.
$20
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No.
8
.30 CALIBER BLANK CARTRIDGE
w/ WOODEN BULLET- DATED 1957:
Aluminum case .30 Caliber Cartridge with a wooden
bullet, headstamped "NMW .30 57". Bullet is
painted dark green. Excellent condition. $15
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No. 9 FRANKFORD ARSENAL 7.62 CALIBER SHOP
TEST/DUMMY CARTRIDGE - DATED 1958:
A 7.62 Caliber Ball Cartridge in a ribbed case with no
primer used for shop tests or loading drills,
headstamped "F A 58" - excellent condition. $8
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No. 10 LAKE CITY .30 CALIBER
M-1 RIFLE M-2 ARMOR PIERCING CARTRIDGE
- DATED 1953:
From the Korean War era, this Armor Piercing .30 caliber
cartridge was produced at the famous Lake City Ordnance
Plant. Headstamped "L C 53", the cartridge is in
excellent condition. I have a few of these if you
need more than one. (1002) $20
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Due to the
influx of single cartridges, it is no longer practical
to photograph each loose cartridge. Instead, the
following is a list of the single M-2 and 7.62
cartridges I currently have. Each cartridge is
listed with a basic description and price. The prices
indicated are per cartridge.
.30 CALIBER M-2 CARTRIDGES
FOR THE M-1 GARAND RIFLE
Lot # |
DESCRIPTION
DM: Des
Moines; LC: Lake City; RA: Remington; SL:
St. Louis; TW: Twin Cities;
WRA: Winchester; |
Number Available |
Price/cartridge |
1 |
hs: DM; dated
1942; ball cartridge |
1 |
15.00 |
2 |
hs: LC; dated
1953; ball cartridge, black tip armor
piercing bullet |
1 |
20.00 |
3 |
hs: SL; dated
1944; ball cartridge, black tip armor
piercing bullet |
1 |
20.00 |
4 |
hs: SL; dated
1944; ball cartridge, red tip bullet |
1 |
20.00 |
5 |
hs: SL; dated
1954; ball cartridge, black tip armor
piercing bullet |
1 |
12.00 |
6 |
hs: SL; dated
1956; blank cartridge |
1 |
5.00 |
7 |
hs: TW; dated
1942; ball cartridge |
1 |
15.00 |
8 |
hs: WRA;
dated 1942; ball cartridge |
1 |
20.00 |
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7.62 CALIBER CARTRIDGES
FOR
THE M-14 RIFLE
Lot # |
DESCRIPTION
DM: Des
Moines; LC: Lake City; RA: Remington; SL:
St. Louis;
WRA:
Winchester; WCC: Western Cartridge |
Number Available |
Price/cartridge |
1 |
hs: LC; dated
1963; orange tipped ball cartridge
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2 |
4.00 |
2 |
hs: LC; dated
1955; black tip ball cartridge armor
piercing |
1 |
5.00 |
3 |
hs: LC; dated
1961; blank cartridge |
2 |
2.00 |
4 |
hs: LC; dated
1964; blank cartridge |
1 |
2.00 |
5 |
hs: WCC;
dated 1959; ball cartridge |
1 |
4.00 |
6 |
hs: WCC;
dated 1960; ball cartridge |
1 |
4.00 |
7 |
hs: WRA;
dated 1959; ball cartridge |
1 |
5.00 |
8 |
hs: RA; dated
1963; ball cartridge |
1 |
4.00 |
9 |
hs: DA w/
cross in circle; dated 1959; blank
cartridge; manufactured at Dominion Arsenal,
Canada; cross in circle indicates made for
N.A.T.O. |
1 |
2.00 |
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