Imperial 12ga ammo, how old is it?

Workin Man

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I just recieved some Imperial 12ga ammo from another CGN member, mostly SSG, all highbrass with purple plastic hulls. I'm well aware that it has no collector value, just haven't seen this stuff around in years and curious how old it is. I was given a 12ga single shot for my birthday when I was 14 along with 2 boxes of shells. My mom bought the shells and she was't sure what to get, so the local Home Hardware sold her a box of no-name number 6's and a box of Imperial highbrass #9's that they had kicking around for god knows how long (this was 1984 and yes they saw her coming).

The headstamps on these vary a bit, some are stamped "Imperial/IVI", 3" with an overshot wad and a rollcrimp, some "Imperial/IVI", 2-3/4" with an 8 segment crimp,"Imperial/Canada", 3" with overshot wad and rollcrimp, "Imperial/CIL", 3" with overshot wad and rollcrimp, and "Imperial/CIL" 2-3/4" with an 8 segment heat sealed crimp (this one is No 5 shot, not SSG).

I fully intend on cranking these off at raccoons and coyotes at the earliest opportunity and I have no doubt they will go bang and be effective. Just wondering if anyone can date them.

Jim
 
What do yours have for a headstamp Goatdancer? I'm guessing that the different headstamps must be from different years of manufacture. That box of 9's is long gone and I don't recall what the headstamp was, just that they didn't burn very clean.

Jim
 
CIL used the 'Imperial' brand name until 1965/6 when they got out of the ammo business. Sold the name to IVI. IVI used the 'Imperial' brand name until 1988.
The CIL might have some collector value. If not now, certainly in the future. Mind you, so will the IVI.
 
half brass Imperial shotshells was/is damn good ammo. I'm still carefully hoarding the few boxes I have left. It was a damn shame when IVI opted to abandon the civilian market to concentrate solely on the military.
 
"...IVI opted to abandon..." Likely done by SNC Technologies Inc. when IVI was given to them and subsequently to General Dynamics.
 
half brass Imperial shotshells was/is damn good ammo. I'm still carefully hoarding the few boxes I have left. It was a damn shame when IVI opted to abandon the civilian market to concentrate solely on the military.

I've still got a bit here too, along with a few for the 10 gauge. GREAT ammo, kills on both ends in my old Maverick though, lol.
 
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