Headstamp I.D.

Mgderf

January 05, 2012 12:36

I have what I believe are some VERY old Winchester brand 45/70 rounds and I'm trying to determine their age, or atleast an era.

I have several rounds that appear to be very bad lead casting, with pits and holes in the lead bullet. Casings are brass, with a really dark patina.

Head stamp says WRA Co. on top and 45-70 on bottom.

Does anyone know when was the last time Winchester (I think) used the WRA Co. stamp on their casings?

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  62fuelie

  January 05, 2012 13:08

  I have seen the WRA,Winchester Repeating Arms, headstamp on relatively modern cartridges so I am thinking they use it intermitantly.

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  heavyiron

  January 06, 2012 05:52

  Hi,
  
  It would help if you posted a photo of the headstamp because there were major and minor changes of the WRACO headstamp over the 88 year period it was used, from 1866 to 1954. Due to changes in the font, serifs, spacing, upper case, lower case, etc. the headstamp might be pinned down to a more specific range of dates but seldom a specific date.
  
  The last WRACO headstamped cartridges made were 7.62x54R Russian in 1954.
  
  Generally, age has no bearing on how collectable or the value of a cartridge.
  
  Regards,
  
  Heavyiron

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