Martignoni Percussion caps

[Monsai52]

I recently purchased a 3rd gen Colt 1851 Navy.  Because none of my regular stash of percussion caps fit it, I rooted around in my old box of odds and ends and found a couple of tins of Martignoni caps that I picked up in the mid-late '70s.  Not remembering anything about them, I did a quick Google search and found a few e-bay listings asking ridiculous prices.

I paid 99 cents apiece for the tins (the original price sticker is still on the back), and find it hard to believe that there is any collector value to them.  But before I just use them up at the range, I figured it best that I ask the experts here what you all think.  So the question is, should I just go ahead and use them at the range, or should I hold onto them because they really do have some collector value. 

Best regards,

[Major 2]

http://www.ebay.com/itm/VINTAGE-ITALIAN-MARTIGNONI-CAPULE-RIGATE-PERCUSSION-CAPS-TIN-BOX-/251969827821?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item3aaa9273ed

question is... is the seller asking the $50 ? .....or is he getting the $50 ?    wait and see , there may indeed be "gold in them thar tins "

[Coffinmaker]

After seeing the listing, Don't know but what I might follow Major Smudge on this one.  If $50 bucks is realized, you could find yourself with a tidy little sum, enough to cover about 500 - 1000 Remington # 10s.  Like an egg.  Sit on em and see what hatches 

Coffinmaker

[Monsai52]

And I also saw this one.
http://www.ebay.com/itm/VINTAGE-ITALIAN-MARTIGNONI-DETONATES-CAPS-TIN-BOX/180139285186?_trksid=p2047675.c100005.m1851&_trkparms=aid%3D222007%26algo%3DSIC.MBE%26ao%3D1%26asc%3D20131003132420%26meid%3D2dec47eb612948829929ce25121ee734%26pid%3D100005%26rk%3D1%26rkt%3D6%26sd%3D251969827821&rt=nc

Just doesn't make any sense to me, but I agree with you guys, I'm just going to hold on to them for a while.

Best regards,

[hellgate]

Uh, wait til the buyer finds out he has to pay a hazmat fee of another 20-30 bucks.

[Fox Creek Kid]

What is asked & what is paid are often poles apart. 

[Slowhand Bob]

In both cases the shipping is advertised as free.  My guess is that this accounts for the hazmat portion of the total.  At any rate it is one lazy seller who states that a few were used for testing (my @$$) rather than actually counting the number of caps being included.  "Mommy I do not want to ride the roller coaster but I would like to test it, for the benefit of others you know!"

[Coffinmaker]

Hey Bob,

What a reminder.  Some time back (long time) a fella I knew got sucked into a deal for some obscure and Obsolete rifle ammo.  Seller indicated "a couple use for testing."  Buyer received a box of all fired brass.  Was some unhappy.  Seller disappeared into the night

Coffinmaker

[Montana Slim]

Reminds I once purchased a large plastic parts "organizer" filled with thousands of assorted size/manufacturer caps.
These were via a collector of cap tins. He did not want the hazardous material in his display/collection, and would make it easy for him to sell/ship them as he planned to divest himself (tins bring good money, I hear). I helped him out by purchasing for the cost of the plastic container...he was happy to be rid of them & knew I could put them to use. Yes, I used them up...vast majority were sure-fire ignitio, after 120+ yrs of sitting about. I guess they didn't skimp on quantity/quality of materials back in the day.

As a rule, I save a tin or two (empty) of caps as I see the old styles becoming extinct. Not that they're valuable...I just like this stuff.
Same for powder cans.....

Slim