Winchester Primers
d'Artagnan over on the Maryland Shooter's forum, same person I got my box dating information from, has detailed information about dating early Winchester primers. Much of the below information is taken directly from his research. I am going to share some of this information for use with the 44-40 cartridges. Please support his work by visiting the link provided for more details.
No. 1 W
1895-1905
Nitro - Slow Burning Smokeless powder
W inside a circle
From these Green "Waterproof" Labels Above with fancy fonts
2nd Style, 1st Variation
block letter WINCHESTER, and WINCHESTER with serifs
prior to dated labels, "Licensed for repriming only",
3rd Style or 2nd Style, 2nd Variation
"WINCHESTER" in small quotes
prior to dated labels, "Licensed for repriming only",
4th Style
block letters or with serifs
"Licensed for repriming only", dated labels 8-6 to 10-9 observed lower right, 4 digit index numbers lower left, first punched dots lot numbers on labels dated 10-9, W printed on ends whether primers for smokeless powder or black powder,
The following boxes now show the "Improved" call-out on the box label but still show the Oct 1st, 1878 patent.
No. 1 W
1906-1914
Change from "Nitro"
to "Smokeless" Powder
Nov 1906
July 1910
5th Style
WINCHESTER
(1914-1927)
Some boxes show the "K"-prefix 4-digit index numbers -- different from the old four-digit index numbers -- on box ends, W printed on ends, "MADE IN U.S.A." or "MADE IN UNITED STATES OF AMERICA", Labels dated 1-20, 3-23, and 6-26 with "K" number K1101P. The primers in the 6-26 box are not impressed with a W. Last of the copper primers until recent years.
No. 1 W
Smokeless or Black Powder
1914 Smokeless Lead
Division Of Western Cartridge Company
6th Style
Post 1927
Last of the Copper Primers
after dated labels, K-prefix 4-digit index numbers, punched dots lot numbers, no W on box ends, SOLD FOR REPRIMING ONLY, no mention of non-mercuric or non-corrosive.
As a recap, lets review the primers offered by Winchester through 1895
By 1875
Winchester No. 1
Winchester No. 2
By 1891
No. 1 Winchester Improved Primers
32 Extra Long, 22, 32, 38, 40 and 44 Winchester, 38 Extra Long, 44 Evens, 40/60 Marlin, 38 Ballard and 45/70 Marlin
No. 1 1/2 Winchester (same as No. 1 but thinner and more sensitive)
32 S&W, 32 Colt, 32 Long, 32 Short, 38 Short, 38 M&H, 38 Long Colt D.A., 38 S&W, 41 Colt D.A., 44 M&H, 45 Colt
No. 2 Winchester Improved Primers
41, 44 Bulldog, 44 Webley, 44 S&W Russian, 44 S&W American, 44 Colt, 44 Long, 45 Webley, 45 S&W, 50 Pistol, Pepper and Brass Shot Shells
No. 2 1/2 Winchester Improved Primers (same as No. 2 but thicker and less sensitive)
All Military and Sporting Cartridges.
By 1895
No. 1
No. 1 1/2 (thinner)
No. 1 1/2 W (smokeless)
No. 2
No. 2 1/2 (thicker)
No. 2 1/2 W (Smokeless)
No. 3 W (smokeless or black powder)
No. 5 (25-35 and 30-30 Winchester)
By 1925
No. 1 1/2
No. 1W
No. 17NF
No. 24NF
No. 3
No. 35NF
No. 5 1/2
1928-1939
No. 111
Non-Mercuric
K1608P - No. 108
K1611P - No. 111
K1615P - No. 115
K1616P - No. 116
K1630P - No. 120
1940-1950's
K1611P (No. 111)
K1608P - No. 108
K1611P - No. 111
K1615P - No. 115
K1616P - No. 116
K1630P - No. 120
1950's-1950's
1959-1970
K4003P
K4001P: No. 1 1/2-108 - Small Pistol
K4002P: No. 6 1/2-116 - Small Rifle
K4003P: No. 7-111 - Large Pistol
K4004P: no listing in 1949
K4005P: No. 209 - Shot Shell
K4006P: No. 3 - Shot Shell
K4007P: No. 1 1/2B - Black Powder (1949)
K4008P: No. 8 1/2G - (1949)
K4009P: No. 8 1/2-120 - Large Rifle
K4xxxP: No. 1 1/2M-108 - Small (Magnum) Pistol
K4xxxP: No. 7M-111F - Large (Magnum) Pistol
K4003P - 3 Oct 1966 - XL3L65
1974-1977
Winchester-Western 1976 Catalog
K4001P: No. 1 1/2-108 - Small Pistol
K4002P: No. 6 1/2-116 - Small Rifle
K4003P: No. 7-111 - Large Pistol
K4004P: no listing
K4005P: No. 209 - Shot Shell
K4006P: No. 3 - Shot Shell
K4007P: No. 1 1/2B - Black Powder (1949)
K4009P: No. 8 1/2-120 - Large Rifle
WSPM: No. 1 1/2M-108 - Small (Magnum) Pistol
KM403P: No. 7M-111F - Large (Magnum) Pistol
LAL293 = Jan 1976 (L=76, A=Jan)
1983-1996
1991
2006-Present
No. WLP
No. 209
For more photos and information, check out the 44-40 cartridge doc. here: https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1Jy0pGqWPRx2HOQqufbcnEM1lv6tCWBJsCOB8vLIDOIg/edit#gid=1905899731
Western