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US MILITARY ISSUE .45 CALIBER ACP AMMUNITION PACKETS AND SINGLE CARTRIDGES - FRANKFORD ARSENAL & CIVILIAN CONTRACTORS - WINCHESTER, REMINGTON, WESTERN, ETC.: Manufactured either at Frankford Arsenal or under government contracts by civilian ammunition companies for the US Armed Services, these packets are the perfect addition to a display of  your Model 1911 Pistol.  Our current inventory is listed below - each box separately listed with a full description and photographs - scroll all the way down through the listings.

NOTE:  There are additional packets and some rare variants of single .45 ACP cartridges listed at the bottom of this page.  BE SURE to scroll down to see all the listings. 

 

No. 1   PETERS CARTRIDGE COMPANY US ARMY ISSUE .45 CALIBER ACP AMMUNITION PACKET – VERY GOOD PACKET - CARTRIDGES HEADSTAMPED 1918:  Manufactured by the Peters Cartridge Company under contract for the US government during World War One, this packet retains an excellent, legible label, “20 Cartridges Pistol Ball, Caliber .45 MODEL OF 1911”.  The packet has been opened across the front edge where the top panel meets the front panel, but the top panel is still attached along the rear edge.  The packet is complete with all 20 original cartridges, each headstamped “P. C. CO. 18” indicating the cartridges were manufactured by the Peters Cartridge Company in 1918.     

This very nice packet survives from the years of the United States’ involvement in World War One, and will be perfect for display with a pre-war or war production Colt Model 1911 Pistol.  These World War One vintage packets are becoming quite rare and in a very few years I fully expect they will have disappeared from the market all together.   SOLD - See additional listings below

 

No. 2    REMINGTON ARMS US ARMY ISSUE .45 CALIBER ACP AMMUNITION PACKET – VERY GOOD SEALED PACKET - CARTRIDGES HEADSTAMPED 1942:  Manufactured by the Remington Arms Company during World War Two, this sealed packet retains an excellent, legible label, “20 CARTRIDGES PISTOL BALL CALIBER .45 M1911”.   

The cartridges in another packet, also manufactured by Remington and bearing the exact same lot number, have the headstamp date of 1942 and based on my experience, the cartridges in this packet are dated the same.  This packet is in excellent condition, still sealed with an intact, legible label, and is complete with all 20 original cartridges.   

On the bottom of the packet is lightly ink stamped a modern day retailer’s disclaimer to “keep out of the reach of children”, obviously applied after we began having to second guess parents who might have believed this was just the thing to toss into the play pen to keep the little tyke occupied.  In spite of being “child proofed” this very nice packet survives from the first years of the United States’ involvement in World War Two, and will be perfect for display with a pre-war or early war production Colt Model 1911 Pistol. 

I have a very small quantity of these packets from the same lot, all from 1942.  These packets produced in the early war years are becoming scarce and hard to find.  In a very few years, I fully expect they will have disappeared from the market all together. (0328) $60

 

No. 3  FRANKFORD ARSENAL MANUFACTURED US ARMY ISSUE .45 CALIBER ACP AMMUNITION PACKET – FULL UNOPENED PACKET - DATED 1937:  This full unopened packet retains an excellent, full form legible label, “20 Pistol Ball Cartridges, Caliber .45 M1911”. 

The packet is still sealed, is in full form and both of the cloth pull tabs are present and intact. This packet survives in as close to "like new" condition as is likely to appear on today's market.  This packet was found with another bearing the same Lot Number which had been opened, and the cartridges in that open packet were headstamped "F A 37".  This packet is also annotated in pencil on the bottom panel "FA 37".

This is an excellent specimen of a fairly rare packet to add to your collection. (1009)  $75

 

No. 4    FRANKFORD ARSENAL MANUFACTURED US ARMY ISSUE .45 CALIBER ACP AMMUNITION PACKET – FULL UNOPENED PACKET - "ROLL TESTED" AT BENICIA ARSENAL IN 1938:  This full unopened packet retains an excellent, full form legible label, “20 Pistol Ball Cartridges, Caliber .45 M1911”.  In addition to the printed label on the face and rear panels, the packet is also printed on the top with the notation "ROLL TESTED AT BENICIA ARSENAL 1938". 

This extra labeling indicating "Roll Testing" refers to an interesting and little known chapter in the history of US Army cartridge manufacturing.  This testing is explained on page 28 of History of Modern U.S. Military Small Arms Cartridges, Vol. 1, by Hackley, Woodin, and Scranton.  In the late 1930's it was discovered that a quantity of .45 caliber Model 1911 cartridges had been manufactured at Frankford Arsenal with incorrect powder charges.  A malfunction in the powder charging machine resulted in double and triple charges being dropped into cartridge cases, resulting in the damage or destruction of pistols upon being fired.  In attempting to determine which cartridges were affected, weighing the cartridges was found to be ineffective due to the variations in the weight of the metallic components of the cartridges.  Eventually the army settled on a system which involved the cartridges being removed from the packets and rolled down an incline onto a polished surface, generally glass.  Where the cartridge came to rest determined whether it had a light, normal, or excessive powder charge.  This testing was carried out at Ordnance Department facilities throughout the United States and in our overseas possessions.  Some packets of suspected cartridges were redesignated with a new lot number and presumably those passing the test were simply identified with the notation found on this packet as having been tested and passed. 

This packet is shrink wrapped in clear plastic to protect the pristine label and from all appearances the packet is unopened and in "like new" condition.  The packet is full form and both of the cloth pull tabs are present and intact. 

This is an excellent specimen of a fairly rare packet to add to your collection. (0935)  $75

 

No. 5   FRANKFORD ARSENAL MANUFACTURED US ARMY ISSUE .45 CALIBER ACP AMMUNITION PACKET – FULL UNOPENED PACKET - "ROLL TESTED":  This full unopened packet retains an excellent, full form legible label, “20 Pistol Ball Cartridges, Caliber .45 M1911”.  In addition to the printed label on the face and rear panels, the packet is also printed on the top with the notation "ROLL TESTED AND NEW LOT NUMBER ASSIGNED". 

This extra labeling indicating "Roll Testing" refers to an interesting and little known chapter in the history of US Army cartridge manufacturing.  This testing is explained on page 28 of History of Modern U.S. Military Small Arms Cartridges, Vol. 1, by Hackley, Woodin, and Scranton.  In the late 1930's it was discovered that a quantity of .45 caliber Model 1911 cartridges had been manufactured at Frankford Arsenal with incorrect powder charges.  A malfunction in the powder charging machine resulted in double and triple charges being dropped into cartridge cases, resulting in the damage or destruction of pistols upon being fired.  In attempting to determine which cartridges were affected, weighing the cartridges was found to be ineffective due to the variations in the weight of the metallic components of the cartridges.  Eventually the army settled on a system which involved the cartridges being removed from the packets and rolled down an incline onto a polished surface, generally glass.  Where the cartridge came to rest determined whether it had a light, normal, or excessive powder charge.  This testing was carried out at Ordnance Department facilities throughout the United States and in our overseas possessions.  Presumably those passing the test were simply identified with the notation found on the other packet listed above as having been tested and passed.  Those packets of suspected cartridges were redesignated with a new lot number as this one was, with a new lot number assigned after the testing.  

This packet is unopened with a complete and fully legible label.  One end of the top panel which was lifted about ¾" so a previous owner could see the headstamp on the cartridges.  The first two cartridges can be seen by lifting this end and they are headstamped "FA 34" indicating they were made at Frankford Arsenal in 1934.   Except for this one end the packet is unopened and in "like new" condition.  The packet is full form and both of the cloth pull tabs are present and intact. 

This is an excellent specimen of a fairly rare packet to add to your collection. (0937)  $75

 

No. 6    WINCHESTER REPEATING ARMS COMPANY US ARMY ISSUE .45 CALIBER ACP AMMUNITION - 50 ROUND PACKET – EXCELLENT PACKET - CARTRIDGES HEADSTAMPED 1967:  Manufactured by the Winchester Repeating Arms Company during the Vietnam War, this packet retains an excellent, legible label, “50 CARTRIDGES  CALIBER .45 BALL M1911”.  This style of packet was not sealed; rather the lid folded over the cartridges and was held in place by the front tab.  The packet is very clean, is full form with no damage, no significant soiling, and shows no wear.  The packet contains all 50 of the original cartridges, all matching and appearing to be original to the packet, and all are head stamped “W R A 67” indicating the cartridges were manufactured in 1967.  This is a very nice packet  (0727)  $65

 

No. 7  REMINGTON ARMS COMPANY US ARMY ISSUE .45 CALIBER ACP AMMUNITION 50 ROUND PACKET – EXCELLENT PACKET - CARTRIDGES HEADSTAMPED 1965:  Manufactured by the Remington Arms Company during the Vietnam War, this packet retains an excellent, legible label, “50 CARTRIDGES  CALIBER .45 BALL M1911”.  This style of packet was not sealed; rather the lid folded over the cartridges and was held in place by the front tab.  The packet is full form with no damage, no significant soiling, and shows no wear.  The packet contains 28 of the original 50 cartridges, all matching and appearing to be original to the packet, and all are head stamped “R A 65” indicating the cartridges were manufactured in 1965.  (0726) $40

 

No. 8    FABRICA MILITAR “FRAY LUIS BELTRAN” – ARGENTINA ARMED FORCES ISSUE 11.25 MM AMMUNITION PACKET – VERY INTERESTING PACKET IN THE FOREIGN SERVICES .45 ACP FAMILY:  Manufactured by the Fabrica Militar “Fray Luis Beltran” Cartridge Company of Argentina, made for the Argentine armed forces.  The packet retains an excellent, legible integral label, “50 CARTOUCHOS CALIBRE 11.25 X 23”, the foreign designation for the Caliber .45 M1911 ACP cartridge.   

In 1916, Argentina ordered 10,000 Model 1911 Pistols from the US for their military.  They were so impressed with the pistol that they ordered another 100,000 pistols with some slight modifications.  This modified Model 1911 became known as the “Colt Systema Modello 1927”.   By the 1930’s, Argentina decided it could make a version of the Model 1911 Colt Pistol within their armament system and the result was sufficiently different that Colt had no grounds for complaining of a patent infringement.  The resulting “Balleser-Molina” pistol became quite popular with the Argentine military forces as well as being exported to other South American countries such as Bolivia, Columbia, Ecuador, and Peru.  An interesting footnote to the history of this pistol is that a significant quantity – perhaps as many as 15,000 – were sold to the British government during World War Two for use by the famous British Special Operations Executive (SOE) commando units.  In addition to providing good service in the field, the pistol had the benefit of not bearing any marks identifying the pistols to the British government, and in the event one was captured by the enemy, the pistols could not be traced back to the clandestine units.   

Ammunition for these pistols was produced at the Argentine arsenal, the San Lorenzo Military Factory.  In 1961, the manufacturing was turned over to Fabrica Militar “Fray Luis Beltran”.  Based on the headstamp data and the lot number information on the front label, this packet was produced in June of 1980.   

This packet is full form and although showing some shelf wear it still presents in very good condition.  As noted above, the label is fully legible on both the top and side panels, and the maker’s emblem is printed on both end flaps.  The packet contains 33 of 50 cartridges, and all appear to be original to this packet, each bearing the matching headstamp “11.25 x 23” and “6 FLB 80”.  This is an interesting and unusual packet from the family of Colt Model 1911 Pistols.  (0718)  $50

 

No. 9   FRANKFORD ARSENAL .45 ACP BALL CARTRIDGE - DATED 1913:  A rare early .45 Caliber ACP Ball Cartridge, headstamped "F A 13" - excellent condition.  SOLD

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No. 10  WORLD WAR ONE REMINGTON - UMC .45 ACP BALL CARTRIDGE - DATED 1918:  A scarce WWI production standard issue .45 Caliber ACP Ball Cartridge, dated 1918 - excellent condition.  SOLD

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No. 11 WORLD WAR ONE US CARTRIDGE COMPANY .45 ACP BALL CARTRIDGES - DATED 1917 - 18:  A scarce WWI production standard issue .45 Caliber ACP Ball Cartridge, dated 1917 - excellent condition.  Also have another by the same company dated "18".  SOLD

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No. 12  WORLD WAR TWO REMINGTON .45 ACP BALL CARTRIDGES - DATED 1941-42:  Early WWII production standard issue .45 Caliber ACP Ball Cartridges, dated 1941 and 1942 - excellent condition.  $10 each PENDING

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No. 13  WORLD WAR TWO EAU CLAIRE STEEL CASE .45 ACP BALL CARTRIDGE - DATED 1943:  Early WWII production steel cartridge case .45 Caliber ACP Ball Cartridge, dated 1943 - excellent condition.  Interesting war time variant.  $13 PENDING

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No. 14  PRE - WORLD WAR TWO FRANKFORD ARSENAL .45 ACP BLANK CARTRIDGES - DATED 1938: Pre-WWII production .45 Caliber ACP Blank Cartridges, dated 1938 - excellent condition. All soldiers - and horses - were trained with these.  $10

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No. 15  PRE - WORLD WAR TWO FRANKFORD ARSENAL .45 ACP BALL CARTRIDGE - DATED 1932:  A standard issue .45 Caliber ACP Ball Cartridge, headstamped "F A 32" - excellent condition.  $10

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No. 16  VIETNAM WAR REMINGTON .45 ACP BALL CARTRIDGE - DATED 1963:  Vietnam War era production standard issue .45 Caliber ACP Ball Cartridge, dated 1963 - excellent condition.  $8

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No. 17  REMINGTON ARMS CARTRIDGE COMPANY NATIONAL MATCH COMMEMORATIVE CHROMED .45 ACP DUMMY CARTRIDGE - DATED 1965:  A real collector piece, this is a commemorative chromed .45 Caliber ACP Dummy Cartridge manufactured by Remington Arms for the National Match competition in 1965,  headstamped "RA 65 NM" - excellent condition.  $25

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No. 18  REMINGTON PETERS .45 AUTO RIM BALL CARTRIDGE:  Headstamped "R-P" - excellent condition.  $5 

 

No. 19   REMINGTON ARMS WWII US ARMY AIR FORCE ISSUE T-15 .45 CALIBER ACP SHOT CARTRIDGE  AMMUNITION PACKET – RARE OFFERING:  Developed under contract for the US Army Air Force, this packet was manufactured by the Remington Arms Company during World War Two.  This sealed packet retains an excellent, legible label, “20 CARTRIDGES SHOT CAL. 45 M15” with the additional call out “FOR USE IN HUNTING SMALL GAME”.     

In August of 1943, the Army Air Force established a requirement for a Caliber .45 ACP Shot Cartridge to be used by combat aircraft crews for survival purposes.  The original requirement called for the shot cartridge to have as close to the same dimensions as the standard issue ball cartridge in order that the shot cartridge would feed through the pistol magazine.    

The project for the development of this shot cartridge was approved on August 20, 1943, and assigned the nomenclature, “Cartridge, Shot, Cal. .45, T23”.  A development order was placed with Remington Arms Company for 10,000 rounds to be patterned after their commercial riot control cartridge for the Thompson submachine gun.  Remington produced the cartridges as requested, however the length of the resulting shot cartridge was too long to be fed through the pistol magazine, necessitating loading each cartridge into the pistol’s chamber by hand.  These first production rounds were designated M-12 and consisted of a brass case loaded with 6 grains of Bullseye Powder and a waxed red paper bullet containing 125-133 size 7 ½ chilled lead shot.   

While the USAAF was pleased with the initial production, almost immediately reports were received from the combat zones that the M12 cartridge would not hold up in hot, humid climates.  The paper-jacketed bullet would swell and crack, resulting in the loss of the shot.  Also, the shot pattern was inconsistent, as on occasion the paper bullet did not break up as it was designed to do, reducing the effective spread of the shot.  Remington was asked to correct these deficiencies and the new development project was assigned T-29 in December of 1943.   

By March of 1944, Remington had developed and tested several different designs, settling on what would become the M15 as seen below in the Ordnance Department drawing.  The M15 featured an extended case so that the paper bullet was no longer needed, and the cartridge contained from 108-118 No. 7 ½” lead pellets.  The mouth of the cartridge was closed with a colored waterproofed cardboard wad. These cartridges have been found bearing headstamps which included R A 4 (1944); R A 45; and REM-UMC 45 ACP.  All of the production of this cartridge was at Remington, and during the first quarter of 1945 totaled 3 million rounds.  As with the M12, the M15 would not load from the pistol magazine and had to be hand loaded in the pistol as a single cartridge.  The instruction sheet included in this packet is shown in the photographs below, explaining how the cartridges were to be used.   

Despite the number of these cartridges produced during World War Two, full packets of these shot cartridges are quite rare.  I suspect that a fair number of them were taken home as a useful addition to the farm and ranch gun cabinets for pest and snake control, and those which made it into the surplus market after the war were consumed as a practical cartridge.  Whatever the reason, full packets do not appear on the market very often. 

This full packet retains the full waterproofed external wrapper, with a complete, fully legible label printed directly on the wrapper.  When these packets were made, the waxed wrapper was folded closed on each end.  Some “Curious George” along the way, just couldn’t stand it, and an attempt was made to open the left end of the wrapper to get a peek at the cartridges.  The bottom panel of the wrapper was lifted, resulting in a tear across that surface of the wrapper, but as a benefit, the internal wrapping of the packet can be seen by gently lifting the external wrapper.  Under the waxed external wrapper, the packet is metal foil wrapped, and under that layer the body of the packet is wrapped in a clear plastic barrier.  These layers of wrapping were intended to weather proof these packets as much as possible with a view towards the reality that the combat aircraft operated over vast expanses of oceans, and ditching a crippled aircraft was a very real prospect.  Any effort to protect the contents would certainly benefit the air crews who would have to use the cartridges to survive.   

This packet retains its full form, is a very solid example, and it would be a special addition to your collection.  SOLD

 
 

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