Training/Dummy Rounds .30-06

[usmc69]

Picked up nine training/dummy rounds a while back. Most from the teens, twenties and thirties. However, three are dated 12-05, 1-06 and 2-07. Are there any interest in these or just something to put on the shelf?

[tmark]

At gunshows, I see "antique" empty boxes as well as full boxes of ammo from WWI through the fifties and sixties. I would think there would be an interest in vintage dummy rounds as well.

[raymeketa]

Cal .30 Dummy cartridges were commonly made from fired/rejected/seconds cases and bullets. Headstamps usually do not indicate when they were manufactured. Those with early dates have a certain appeal to non-collectors and so they may bring a very small premium but not nearly as much as most would think.

Ray

[usmc69]

Cal .30 Dummy cartridges were commonly made from fired/rejected/seconds cases and bullets. Headstamps usually do not indicate when they were manufactured. Those with early dates have a certain appeal to non-collectors and so they may bring a very small premium but not nearly as much as most would think.

Ray

Ray,

These are fluted cases. Made as training/dummy rounds from the start, not fired cases.

AJ

[usmc69]

Dummy1.jpg

Here are eight of them.

[raymeketa]

The majority of the Cal .30 Dummy Cartridges have fluted cases (and drilled holes). They can be made from second hand or fired cases by the same process as any other special-purpose case.

Most of the M1906 Ball ammunition with pre-1906 headstamps was assembled from re-cycled M1903 cases. Early M1906 Blank cartridges were made from M1903 Blanks by simply adding a heavy crimp that allowed the cartridges to be chambered in the '03 Rifle. Cal .30 Gallery Practice cartridges were made from fired cases.

The Govt was a lot more cost-conscious in those days.

Ray

[usmc69]

The majority of the Cal .30 Dummy Cartridges have fluted cases (and drilled holes). They can be made from second hand or fired cases by the same process as any other special-purpose case.

Most of the M1906 Ball ammunition with pre-1906 headstamps was assembled from re-cycled M1903 cases. Early M1906 Blank cartridges were made from M1903 Blanks by simply adding a heavy crimp that allowed the cartridges to be chambered in the '03 Rifle. Cal .30 Gallery Practice cartridges were made from fired cases.

The Govt was a lot more cost-conscious in those days.

Ray

Tin plated brass cases? Does not attract a magnet.

[raymeketa]

Yes, tinned brass for an additional visual identification. Some of the later Dummy cartridges had un-tinned cases, some were not corrugated, some had no holes, some made from steel cases, primer pocket/no pocket, or a combination of all of the above. There were special stripper clips made just for use with the Dummy cartridges. You could probably make a collecting specialty out of Dummy cartridges, cartons, clips, etc. in fact, some collectors do just that.

[PhillipM]

Why would you need a special stripper clip?

[raymeketa]

Stripper clips were meant to be used, once, and then discarded. Clips for dummy rounds, OTOH, we're used over and over. The little tabs would break off and the spring would often not hold the cases securely. The special clips had a heavier spring and no tabs. They are rarely recognized for what they are. Guys will look at them, notice the missing tabs, and toss them in the garbage.

[usmc69]

Would any date be better to keep? Was thinking either the 12-05 or the 01-06.

[raymeketa]

One headstamp is no better than the other. Since they are $1 or $2 cartridges, why not keep both? Keep your eyes open for a clip and fill it with 5 rounds for a nice display.

[joem]

I made my own and solderd the bullet to the case and a fired primer.

[emmagee1917]

I made my own and solderd the bullet to the case and a fired primer.

Why would you solder a fired primer to the bullet ?
Well , it would be better than an unfired one I guess , but still....

Chris

[raymeketa]

usmc69

I assumed you were asking about the cartridges in a collecting sense rather than a using sense.? Either way they are a nice find with the early headstamps. They'd make a nice display with an '03 Springfield.

Ray