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NATIONAL ARMORY SPRINGFIELD .44 CALIBER “MARTIN
PRIMED” AMMUNITION PACKET FOR THE SMITH & WESSON ARMY
REVOLVERS – VERY SCARCE EARLY PACKET –IN EXCELLENT
CONDITION:
Manufactured at the
National Armory at Springfield, Massachusetts in April
of 1871, this 12 round packet of .44 caliber Martin
primed metallic cartridges was produced to be issued
with the Smith & Wesson “American” Revolvers in use by
the army. As the S&W American revolvers were in use for
a relatively brief period, and the manufacture of
ammunition at the Springfield Armory ceased at the end
of FY-1871 the ammunition production being transferred
in total to Frankford Arsenal, these early Indian War
packets produced at the National Armory are quite scarce
and are not regularly available on the collector’s
market.
This packet has survived in excellent condition; however
the top panel was carefully opened at some point in the
past as so many of these old packets were by overly
curious collectors. The seam around the top panel was
cut on the rear and both end edges, and remains intact
along the front edge. The top panel retains its full
form and remains in place, but it can be lifted as seen
in the photographs below, to access the cartridges. The
packet retains all 12 original .44 caliber Martin Primed
cartridges, and they are all in excellent condition.
The label is complete and fully legible, the edges are
sharp, all of the other seams are intact, and the packet
is very solid.
This is a rare opportunity to
acquire one of these early packets in this condition.
Whether you own a Smith & Wesson revolver at this time
or not, this .44 Caliber pistol cartridge packet from
the early Indian Wars period is a key National Armory
manufactured specimen to add to your collection, and
certainly one that you’ll never regret owning. Finding
another in this condition will be a tall order if you
pick up an American in the future, so give this one some
serious thought before you let it slip away.
(0501)
$1050
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