Blast from the past...

[Chas]

Cleaning up the gun room today and some boxes of stuff I inherited from my late father - came across these boxes of primers. I realize Google is my friend but was wondering if any of the old time reloaders might recognize them and what they are - 2 boxes of CIL # 1 primers and 1 part box of CIL 2 1/2 primers. He only loaded for 44 magnum at the time (I never knew him to reload at all actually) which would have been about 1960. I assume they are pistol primers.

 

[K-C]

They re very cool but before my time - I was only 7 in 1960 - How times have changed, something made in "Montreal Canada" and not a word of French on the packaging.

And yes, I remember where I was when JFK's assassination was announced. I also have memories of a barrel full of used (Lee Enfield?) rifles for sale in the local hardware store...

 

[Slamfire]

These were picked up from an estate sale a few years ago. Probably '80's vintage. Worked just fine.

 

[Ganderite]

CIL used to have a technology sharing agreement with Remington. I suspect that the primer numbering system on those CIL primer pacs is the same as used by Remington.

 

[Eagleye]

Those CIL primers had a unique shaped anvil in them, which contributed to the
cleanest primer pockets. Often no need to remove any debris from the pocket
after firing. I had some of those very primers years ago in size 8½, they all went
"bang" without any issues. Eagleye.

 

[DaveF]

No. 1 are for Small Pistol
No. 2 1/2 are for Large Pistol.
C-I-L apparently didn't make Magnum pistol primers.
They also made No. 1 1/2 Small Rifle, No. 8 1/2 Large Rifle and No. 8 1/2M Large Rifle Magnum.

Info. from my 1970 Speer Number 8 Manual.

 

[Otto V]

I still have 2 unopened boxes of CIL 2 1/2 primers, in the exact same packaging. On the back of the package it says:

For the following C-I-L cartridges
38-40 Winchester
44-40 Winchester
45 Colt
455 Colt

I bought them at an old time hardware store when I first got into reloading in the 70's. I spied 4 boxes of them inside a locked glass fronted cabinet, priced $1.10 each. I asked for 1 box, but the old timer who served me opened the cabinet and handed me 2 boxes. I then asked if I could have all 4 boxes for the price of 2 . . . he just smiled, opened the cabinet again and handed me the other 2 boxes. I'm sure they were already old, even at that time. I assume he was happy to get rid of them!!

 

[Bluedevil25]

 

[Chas]

Thanks guys for the information. Also found a box of primed 44 special casings that look like they were never fired in an Eddy strike anywhere match box.