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REPRODUCTION FRANKFORD
ARSENAL, WINCHESTER, UMC, AND COLT AMMUNITION PACKETS –
EXACTING REPRODUCTIONS GREAT FOR DISPLAY:
These packets, acquired with a large collection, were
the work of a well known artist from Idaho, Robert Auth,
who was also a collector of 19th century cartridges.
When he became aware of a rare packet that he was unable
to find, he made one - simple as that. And his work
is/was (he passed, in 2009 I believe) amazingly accurate
and much of it was done freehand - he must have had an
incredibly steady hand.
With
the collection I received Auth's notes regarding these
reproduction packets and he kept accurate records as to
what he used to fill these boxes. Unless otherwise
noted in the individual descriptions below, the packets
are filled with modern .45-70 cartridges in order to
give the packets the proper weight and feel. Since I
have no way of knowing if the cartridges are factory
loads or reloads, these packets are sold as display
pieces only, and in no way are they intended to shoot.
I have
a limited quantity and selection of these packets and
when they are sold, that’s it – there won’t be any more
available.
Each
packet is listed below with individual descriptions and
photographs.
NOTE:
For individual cartridges in these
calibers and by these civilian manufacturers, click on
this link for available offerings:
INDIVIDUAL CIVILIAN CARTRIDGES
NOTE:
For individual cartridges in these
calibers and by these civilian manufacturers, click on
this link for available offerings:
INDIVIDUAL MILITARY CONTRACT
CARTRIDGES |
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NATIONAL ARMORY .45-70
RIFLE BALL CARTRIDGE PACKET – DATED 1875 FOR THE MODEL
1875 OFFICERS SPORTING RIFLE:
As stated above, Mr. Auth made these packets to
substitute for those he could not obtain for his
collection. And too, on occasion, he decided there were
packets of ammunition that
should have
been produced, and given his artistic talent, he wasn’t
going to be deterred by the fact that it never occurred
to the army to make such a packet.
This
packet is solely the creation and product of Auth’s
imagination and from what I was told, his sense was that
such an important firearm as the Springfield Officer’s
Rifle should have been accompanied by a special packet
of ammunition. As I understand it, he made a very
limited number of these packets and I have just this
one, so in a convoluted way, it is a collector’s piece
in its own right.
As the
label states, this packet is purported to have been made
at the National Armory at Springfield in 1875, loaded
with “Solid head – Experimental” cartridges. It should
be noted that the National Armory was out of the
ammunition business by 1871 and no such packet could
have been, nor ever was, produced by the armory.
In
addition to the information on the front of this packet,
what really sets it apart is the image in broadside form
of the Officers Model Rifle with the tang sight extended
drawn on the reverse of the packet.
The
packet is loaded with cartridges – from all appearances
and weight, they are 45-70 rounds, but I do not know
what type.
This
is a pure fantasy piece, no question, but if you own an
Officers Model Rifle, for the sake of conversation and
one-upmanship with your fellow collectors, this packet
will be a fun addition to your collection and
display. (0137) $175
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FRANKFORD
ARSENAL 1875 DATED .45/70 CARBINE CARTRIDGE PACKET -
EXCELLENT REPRODUCTION: These are incredible
reproductions, which are of such a quality as to have
fooled many collectors familiar with the originals. It
is believed these were made coincidental to the filming
of the now classic film, Geronimo, an American Legend
in 1993. In fact, one of these packets is visible on a
shelf in the background of one of scenes set in General
Crook’s office. At one time I had a few for sale, but
sold the last of those years ago, with no more to be
found. I recently discovered another small quantity of
these packets and am able to offer them here.
Manufactured using
the original arsenal ammunition paste board boxes which
were used to repackage .45-70 cartridges in the late
1800’s and early 1900’s, complete with the original pull
strings, these packets are sealed with aged, reprinted
labels bearing the printed legend, "20 U.S. Springfield
Carbine Cartridges Calibre .45: Charge, 55 Grains Musket
Powder, Bullet, 45 Grains September 1875". Each box is
filled with .45-70 cartridges to give the correct weight
and feel.
This packet is
perfect for display with your carbine at far less than
an original packet would cost. I have only three of
these packets. (0531) $75
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UNION METALLIC CARTRIDGE
COMPANY CONTRACT .45-70 PACKET PRODUCED FOR THE STATE OF
IDAHO:
Robert Auth was a loyal son of Idaho and dearly loved
his state. Having read that the federal government
provided arms and ammunition to the state militias, Mr.
Auth again assumed that the absence of such a packet
bearing the name of the state was nothing more than an
oversight on the part of the army, and he set about to
create this remedy – specifically for the State of
Idaho.
All
tongue in cheek aside, Auth produced these packets as a
tribute to the State of Idaho and from what I was able
to learn, he made a limited number of them for friends
and fellow collectors.
The
packet bears all of the information one would find on a
UMC packet with not only the front label, but the top
label as well. This sealed packet has the full coverage
wrapper with all the seams intact and the label is clean
and distinct. These packets are filled with UMC .45-70
Solid Head cartridges and according to Auth’s notes,
they are original factory loads.
Certainly a fantasy packet, but an interesting piece
nonetheless and given the limited number produced, would
be a fun piece for an Idaho collector. (0135)
$75
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FRANKFORD ARSENAL MODEL 1886 CARBINE CARTRIDGE PACKET:
Very nice packets with a clear authentic label, these
packets were made up after Auth acquired a quantity of
copper case, externally primed Frankford Arsenal Carbine
cartridges dated July, 1886. Annotated in handwritten
pencil on the top and bottom of the packet is the legend
“July 1886”. Full and sealed, this would be a very
nice packet to display with your carbine at a
substantial savings. (0408) $75
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FRANKFORD ARSENAL MULTIBALL 1877 CARTRIDGE PACKET:
Dated April, 1877, this packet for the Multiball
Cartridge has all of the Frankford Arsenal information
on a very clear label. The multiball cartridge is
probably one of the most under-recognized cartridges in
use by the army – one that saw use from the “buck and
ball” cartridges of the revolution through the “guard”
cartridges of the Model 1903 Springfield Rifle period.
In this case, loaded with three .45 caliber round balls,
each cartridge provided an increased number of
projectiles fired down range at a massed formation,
theoretically increasing the number of hits and
casualties. There are some handwritten notations on the
top and bottom panels of the packet that I cannot
decipher, probably notes Auth made to himself as to what
was in this packet. Original specimens of these
particular packets are hard to come by, and this well
done packet featuring a very historic cartridge, would
be a nice addition to fill in a gap in your collection.
(0409) $65
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WINCHESTER CONTRACT .45-70 RIFLE CARTRIDGE PACKET –
DATED 1876: A
considerable amount of ammunition was made under
contract for the army in order to keep up with the
demand from the field, meet the supply requirements to
the state militias, and continue to supply ammunition to
settlers on the frontier as was done on occasion. This
also would have been made by Winchester to sell to
civilian customers such as the hide hunters who wanted
to buy the same quality of ammunition supplied to the
army, and who would be reassured by the label including
the reference to the Springfield rifle. According to
Auth’s notes, this packet is loaded with
Winchester-Western .45-70 cartridges with a 405 grain
lead bullet. A good frontier style packet for display
with either a Springfield, Sharps or Remington rifle.
(0410) $75
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