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FRANKFORD ARSENAL 45 COLT AMMUNITION PACKETS FOR THE MODEL 1873 COLT ARMY REVOLVER – ALL DATED 1873 AND 1874 – VARIOUS MONTHS - EXCELLENT EARLY PACKETS:  Manufactured at the Frankford Arsenal in 1873 and 1874, these 12 round packets of .45 caliber Colt Revolver ammunition were produced in the first and second years of production of ammunition for the newly adopted Model 1873 Colt Single Action pistols.  The .45 Colt internally primed cartridges were produced in packets of this pattern from October of 1873 through August of 1874 – a fairly short run, and as a result these early dated cartons are fairly rare and are not regularly available on the collector’s market.    

These are key early Indian War era ammunition packets to display with your early production Colt Single Action or a grouping of Indian War accoutrements, and would be a significant addition to an ammunition collection.

I have the following packets available and each is described below with accompanying photographs.

 

NO. 1  FRANKFORD ARSENAL  .45 COLT AMMUNITION PACKET – JUNE 1874:  This packet has been opened, with the top panel completely removed exposing the 12 correct .45 caliber internally primed cartridges. 

While it may be hard to imagine, there was a time in the history of collecting ammunition that full, unopened cartridge packets were opened by collectors who could not bring themselves to believe the packet contained the cartridges listed on the label, or by ammunition dealers because collectors were more likely to purchase a single cartridge than they were a full, sealed packet.  I know, I know......but that's the way it was.   Real horror stories.....

Nonetheless, this packet - save for the top panel - still presents in very good condition, the label is complete and fully legible, the edges are sharp, all of the seams are intact, and the packet is very solid.  It can be argued that this packet allows the 12 original cartridges to be viewed and that is a benefit. 

Despite having been opened by an obsessively curious collector at some time in the past, this packet is still an very good packet with a highly desirable date, and is one which will display nicely with your Colt.  (0323)  $875

 

NO. 2  FRANKFORD ARSENAL 45 COLT AMMUNITION PACKET – AUGUST 1874:  This packet is in very good condition, still sealed and with the pull string still intact.  The label is complete and fully legible, the edges are sharp, all of the seams are intact, and the packet is very solid.  It does appear to have experienced some wear in storage, possibly exposed to moisture.  The paperboard is still strong with no weak points, but the wrapper is wrinkled.  Still and all, this is a very good packet with a highly desirable date.  (0513) $900

 

NO. 3  FRANKFORD ARSENAL 45 COLT AMMUNITION PACKET FOR THE MODEL 1873 COLT ARMY REVOLVER – DATED NOVEMBER 1873 – AN EXCELLENT UNOPENED EARLY PACKET FIRST YEAR OF PRODUCTION:  Manufactured at the Frankford Arsenal in November of 1873, this packet is in excellent condition, still sealed and with the pull string still intact.  The label is complete and fully legible, the edges are sharp, all of the seams are intact, and the packet is very solid.  There is a wear spot on the back panel and on the bottom panel - both likely caused due to the crate in which this packet was stored being exposed to variations in temperature, resulting in the lacquer coating on the packets softening and the packets sticking together.  Nonetheless, this is an excellent packet with a highly desirable and rare date. SOLD

 

NO. 4  FRANKFORD ARSENAL 45 COLT AMMUNITION PACKET – JANUARY 1874:  This packet is in excellent condition, still sealed and with the pull string still intact.  The label is complete and fully legible, the edges are sharp, all of the seams are intact, and the packet is very solid.  There is a scar at the top center of the label that shows much more prominent in the photograph that it does in person.  The paper wrapper split due to age or wear and has been professionally repaired, and is hardly noticeable in person.  Overall, this is an excellent packet with a highly desirable date.  SOLD

 

NO. 5  FRANKFORD ARSENAL 45 COLT AMMUNITION PACKET – FEBRUARY 1874:  This packet is in excellent condition, still sealed and with the pull string still intact.  The label is complete and fully legible, the edges are sharp, all of the seams are intact, and the packet is very solid.  This is an excellent packet with a highly desirable date.  SOLD

 

 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

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