Does anyone have an idea of the vintage of these shells. I am looking for some from 1939 or later to go into a period cartridge case I had built to accompany a matching Motor Case for a Brit 2" 12 gauge. Thanks for any help.-Dick

They don't look too awfully old. I have three boxes of 2" Eley in my collection and I don't think any of them are very old either. How do we tell? I have no idea. They are all very nice and would look great in your shell case. What kind of cartridge case did you have built? Who did it for you? What make is your 2" gun?

Case is a match to this Motor case. A retired opthamologist who is no longer making cases did the work. Gun is a Brit 2" branded Abercrombie & Fitch made for US sale and is actually shown in a 1939 A&F catalog I have. LOP is 14&1/4". Weight is 5# 7oz. Proofed in 1939.

Dick,
I will try and get down to Eley on Friday or give them a ring.Could you email me a photograph of the data printed on the carton please.Usually on the end flap.
You have my email address.

I have access to what appears to be an identical box of shells. On the bottom of the box the factory notice references the Gun Barrel Proof Act of 1950 so ours are at least newer that that date.

There should be a packing code stamped on the flap or a piece of paper inside the box. That should give you the date.

Otherside of box.

I believe they are post 1970 by the reference to Imperial Metal Industries Witton. The IMI divis of ICI was formed in 1970 and divested from the ICI unit in 1977.You may wish to contact Kynamco in UK as they probably have the best Historical records of Eley Bros, Kynock Ammunition,Eley Kynock ICI, Eley Kynock IMI, Eley Hawk etc.

No, the Metals Division of ICI was renamed IMI Ltd and incorporated as a sub in 1962, not 1970.