Vintage and imported ammo question

[willyj73]

I recently bought some ammo from a local auction. I had to buy a few different boxes to get the box I wanted as they were sold as a lot. I'm going to sell off the other stuff, but can't find much information online. One box looks to be a WW2 box of .45 ACP that was used to hold a mixed variety of .45 ammo. I'm not sure if these were reloads. The box also has three half moon clips. I'm guessing everything would be wort $15-20 with most of the value going towards the clips and the ammo box itself. Two of the boxes appear to be imported 9mm ammo. I doubt they have much value. I could probably keep them if they are safe to shoot. The last box is sort of a mystery. It is marked "International Cartridge Co." I cannot find any information on this company. The ammo is marked .38 S & W Special. The side of the box lists it as a centerfire rifle cartridge. The "Rifle" designation is printed on the bottom portion of the box--where the ammo is. So, I would think the bottom portion of the box goes with the top portion (i.e. it isn't one box top mixed with a different bottom). There are a few mixed headstamps, but the majority appears to be the same (possibly original) ammo. Any help with these would be appreciated.

Below are photos of the .45acp and other (9mm?) ammo

[willyj73]

Below is the box of ammo from International Cartridge Co.

[Junk Yard Dog]

.38 special is probably the most common revolver cartridge in the world besides .22 rimfire. Belgium maybe, not familiar with that importers name, one of thousands who imported ammo of one kind or another in the last century and a half. The .45acp's look like reloads, proceed with caution, I don't like shooting reloads I didn't see to myself. Not a 9mm shooter so I don't know the headstamps on that stuff well.

[M39 Shooter]

The 9mm w/green lacquer i believe is Chilean. I bought a lot of it cheep about 25 yrs ago. Don`t try to reload the cases, the primer holes are undersized and off center. (ask me how i know) the 9 marked 43 i believe is Winchester ww2 ammo we made for our allies.

[silverado1999]

FME is definitely Chilean, probably their military ammo in the beginning.

Found this post on International Ammunition Assoc. Inc.

The Eagle Metallic Cartridge Co. of Germany
"Hi Pete,

J. H. Lau & Co. was a large importer of firearms, ammunition and related equipment located at 75 Chambers St., New York, NY. It was established in 1875 and the original owner was Jacob Henry Lau, a native from Germany that arrived to The States in 1848. During many years they were notorious for being importers of Ballistite and later also of Empire smokeless powder.

The word “Eagle” was registered in 1883 by J. H. Lau of New York, NY as a trademark applied to dynamite and blasting caps.

This label design, but without mentioning caliber, load and agent, was registered by Braun & Bloem in 1906. It is the label variation that says “Rifle cartridges”, “The Eagle Metallic Cartridge Co. Germany” and illustrates a lead bullet loading.

The flying eagle enclosed in circle was registered by Braun & Bloem in 1908.

These “Eagle Metallic Cartridge Co.” boxes were later distributed by J. L. Galef, also from New York, NY, and also relabeled by Fred Biffar & Co. of Chicago Illinois.

I’m sure that there is a lot more to add but hope this helps.

Regards,
Fede"

And I found a .38 Special box on the net, without the “Rifle Cartridges” and the “(Made in Germany)”. Looks like I’m out of room on this post…Thanks,

Hope it helps.

[InOmaha]

The .45 acp half moon clips were probably for a M1917 .45 acp revolver.

[entropy]

I have 2 boxes (just the boxes) like your .45 Ball box, lot number is even close. (22328) Be advised those are reloads in that box, at least the 185 LSWC's are. The military never loaded 185 LSWC.