The best I can find is that the round tins are post 1878 corrosive and mercuric primers (wash cases and gun with soapy water immediately after firing). Winchester bought the formula from the Swiss and started making non-corrosive and non-mercuric primers about 1928, about 5 years after Savage. All of these were sold in wooden trays with 100 primers per box.Two years ago at a gunshow, I bought a small plastic storage container (maybe 6 qt sized?) at a gunshow, it was full of old tins of Percussion caps, old round tins of primers, some old tins of 22 blanks...and some other goodies. I sorted everything into similar lots, put 'em in baggies, and flipped most of it at the next gunshow. Except the Primers, I saved those.
There ended up being 6 round tins of primers, 4 seemed full or almost full and marked qty:250. Why am I mentioning this? Today, I was loading a few batches of 45acp. On one batch (test loads, 27 rds) I decided to prime with Winchester #2 primers from one of those old tins. First time I even looked at these old primers, since I stored them away 2 yrs ago. I plan to test fire those tomorrow.
I was thinking they might be as old as WWI vintage? The Tin with ripped red paper label looks exactly like the one in ebay link. That guy thinks 1878, but that's just patent date.
Vintage Empty WINCHESTER Repeating Arms TINY TIN Primers No. 2 1878 Collectible! | eBay
Paper over tin. We think it reads, "1878" but might be "1873". You experts will know! Our photos are provided to help with what we're trying to describe. See what YOU need to see. Give as a gift.or keep it for trade, bragging rights or just because!www.ebay.com
After I posted and went to bed, I started thinking about the probability that they were corrosive and the necessary of cleaning after fired. So, this morning I loaded another 27 with Remington primers for my load test for the Ruger American. I just am not wanting to clean up a semi-auto with soap and water in mid winter. I'm not sure what I'll do with these primers and the 27 that are loaded...save for future, I guess?The best I can find is that the round tins are post 1878 corrosive and mercuric primers (wash cases and gun with soapy water immediately after firing). Winchester bought the formula from the Swiss and started making non-corrosive and non-mercuric primers about 1928, about 5 years after Savage. All of these were sold in wooden trays with 100 primers per box.
It appears that the #2 was for the 44 WCF size cartridges and the #2 1/2 was for the 45 Government and 30 US Army. They were the same size, but thicker cups for the high power rifles.
...Know at 10, it's a bit much, but at least I am getting a little stash back.
I just got an email about the new credit card I applied for...all is a go, should be in my pocket in 7 to 10 days, I hope NormaUSA still has the SPP on sale at that time.2k Argentine SPPs were on my porch when I got home this evening.
I voted with my dollar, even though I would have been OK (probably) on SPPs, but if someone is willing to step up and offer REAL competition in the market, I'm casting a "ballot" in their favor.