Need help with age and history of gun shell bottom

[LostFinder]

would appreciate any help with the age and history of this shell bottom I dug up. I have not cleaned it up much and it is hard to read but the writing stamped in the bottom says: Western (Top) Field (Bottom) No. (Left side) 12 (Right side). Thanks for any help.

 

Amazon Forum Fav 👍

How to Research for Treasure Hunting and Metal Detecting From Lead Generation to Vetting - Grab it through Amazon!

[allen_idaho]

I'm not too sure on the age. If I had to venture a guess, I'd say 1920's-1940's. What I do know is that it is this exact shell type:
http://www.antiquemystique.com/pages/7065_jpg.htm

And that it was manufactured by the Western Cartridge Co. which was founded in 1898 and is still in operation. More info here:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Western_Cartridge_Company

 

[Monty]

When I sold sporting goods for Montgomery Ward for a short span in around 1969, Western Field was their store brand for shotguns and ammo. I believe Savage and Marlin built most of their shotguns about that time but can't remember for sure. Of course Western Cartridge Company eventually became the Winchester brand for ammo as already posted. Monty

 

[kuger]

http://members.shaw.ca/cartridge-corner/shotgun.htm

 

[turtlefoot13]

http://www.shotshelldisplays.com/ammo_list_shotshells.htm states the 16ga Western Field was manufactured from 1922-1929. I don't think that is right for the 12ga though. http://outdoornebraska.ne.gov/nebland/articles/history/shotshells.asp shows a pic of a Western Field 12ga box and talks about Winchester using the name into the late 1950's.

I have had no luck getting exact verifable dates (or even date ranges) on specific Western headstamps. I have contacted Winchester Ammunition and they sent me to the Cody Firearm Museum. I have emailed and called them with no returns on my questions. Other companies have told me that to get an exact date, they would have to examine the primer, brass composition etc.

I think that allen_idaho hit the nail on the head with the date range he gave you on this headstamp and kuger has given a link to probably the best shotshell info site on the web.

Here is a link to another site. It is fun to look at if you like old shotgun shells/boxes. http://www.lucyandlumper.com/

Nice find by the way. They are my favorite thing to find.

HH,
Doug

 

[Arid-Zone-A-seeker]

A lot of Western Field shot shells where also made by Federal. I was shooting them in the mid seventys.
Arid.

 

[Monty]

There is a difference in Western field loads and Western Field brand. The first one is the manufacturer of a field load and the second is the brand name given to Montgomery Ward shooting gear. And I do believe that the MW shells were made by Federal now that you mention it. They were bright red heavily laquered paper hulls. Monty

 

[traderoftreasures]

i got a Montgomery Ward shotgun

 

[Bigcypresshunter]

i got a Montgomery Ward shotgun

I have an S.S. Kresge shotgun. I dont know whos is cheaper LOL.

 

[jamiefind]

I'm not too sure on the age. If I had to venture a guess, I'd say 1920's-1940's. What I do know is that it is this exact shell type:
old vintage antique Western Field 12 gauge shotgun shell 2 piece full box has a quail graphic

And that it was manufactured by the Western Cartridge Co. which was founded in 1898 and is still in operation. More info here:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Western_Cartridge_Company

Found one of these today outside Madison, MS. Thanks for this thread...still helping people in 2015!

 

[fladetector]

Got a western field 12 gauge today in central Florida