unopened spam can RA 26000 38 S&W

golferboy426

May 23, 2013 05:35

Can is marked 38 S&W Ball in cartons

Are these really 38 S&W or could they be 38 special?

I don't really want to open it

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  Ambrose

  May 23, 2013 07:08

  Wasn't there a British WWII revolver chambered in .38 S&W? Perhaps these are lend-lease contract.

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  golferboy426

  May 23, 2013 07:20

  I know they are different. I'm assuming this is marked correctly and truly are 38 S&W. But the true name of a 38 special is 38 smith & Wesson Special. I don't want to mislead a buyer just in case my assumption is wrong.

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  charliemeyer007

  May 23, 2013 08:53

  I'd bet they are 38 S&W not Special's.

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  Riomouse911

  May 23, 2013 10:32

  The Brits called the .38 S&W loaded with the 200 gr lead bullet the ".380/200MkI"..and later with the lighter FMJ bullet the ".380 Revolver MkIIz", so if it was lend-lease it would (should?) have that designator on the can. Looking at Cartridge Collectors.org site the "RA" should be Remington Arms.
  
  I will not be suprised if it was .38 Spl ammo for US-bound security details that used the Colt or S&W revolvers issued to them during the war.
  
  BUT without opening the can and inspecting the rounds...you might never be sure.

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  rsnyder55

  May 23, 2013 10:37

  Is there a production date on the carton? If so, that might provide some insight.

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  Txs

  May 24, 2013 06:17

  You'll improve your chances of an accurate answer by supplying all markings on the case.
  
  Adding a pic or two of the can - also showing dimensions - would be even better.

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  golferboy426

  May 24, 2013 07:04

  The can is unopened thus the questions. It is a typically dark green spam can with yellow print. Size 8 1/2 X 5 1/2 X 6 Other than the yellow printing which also has do not use as food container, There is no other printing. The bottom has a metal stamped capital N
  
  In addition to the food statement, the yellow print reads
  
  950 CARTRIDGES
  CAL 38 S&W BALL
  IN CARTONS
  LOT RA 26000

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  babun

  May 24, 2013 16:50

  Here is the OLD website that will tell you about that can/ammo.
  
  http://www.dia.mil/publicaffairs/Foia/smcal_vol1.pdf
  
  It WAS a large pdf file that has been moved somewhere else on the www.
  
  It showed all military spam can markings and ammo id.
  
  IF you can find the file please let me know.

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  navc130

  May 25, 2013 03:52

  Assuming the labeling is accurate, it should be .38 S&W. In the USA the two .38 cartridges have always been identified separately - .38 S&W and .38 Special.

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  Txs

  May 25, 2013 07:58

  It's a military spam can containing ammo loaded by a US manufacturer but it displays no standard US military markings or nomenclature.
  
  I'd lean toward it being .38 S&W produced for supplying the Brits.

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