I am not sure where to post this but here it goes. I sorta inherited some primed brass from a very good friend a few months ago. It has been stored (by him) in airtight containers. The brass is nickeled. The head stamp reads WCC +P+ 79. The primer is sealed with a red sealant and from all indications this is new, primed, never fired brass. Now for the strange part. There is a line of a somewhat sticky black tar like substance inside the case mouth that is evenly applied in every case. I tried and it does make seating a lead bullet and even a jacketed bullet interesting to say the least. It can be removed (I used lighter fluid and a Q-tip) if need be but that is somewhat laborious.
I think maybe this was for a run of the old 38 Spl. round for Federal Agencies. I had some as a young LE Officer back in the early 80s that a retired treasury agent gave to me. Those were loaded with a 110 grain sjhp, and if I remember correctly, were quite warm. I also vaguely remember him telling me that the FBI?? round utilized a 125 grain sjhp.
I have seen mitary rifle brass and pulled bullets with the tarry substance in neck and on the pulled bullets but never have I seen it on pistol brass.
I am considering loading some Hornady 125 grain XTP SJHP in these, maybe using some data from the 38/44 days. To be used in my 357 magnums only of course. I will try and get some photos. The nickel tends to glare.
By the way, I have close to 1000 pieces of this stuff.