February 24, 2013, 07:24 PM | #1 |
Junior Member
Join Date: February 24, 2013
Posts: 3
|
Headstamp info help
Greets, O knowledgable ones!
I was going through some of my assorted cartridges yesterday, trying to shed some light on a few of the oddments, and I've come across a couple of headstamps I'd like to know a bit more about... 1. marked W.R.A. Co .32S&W. with slightly rounded 'W' stamp copper primer and plain lead round-nose bullet From what I've read it's a fairly early smokeless load; is there a way to date it any more accurately than this? 2. marked S&B .303Br 86 - FMJ, primer shows red laquer I know it's a Sellier&Bellot, but is it civilian or military issue? 3. marked MF 74 9mm2z - FMJ, primer has faint purple laquer around recess Research indicates it as manufactured by "Small Arms Ammunition Factory No. 1 Footscray, Australia" - is this correct? And can anyone explain what the 2z signifies? 4. marked B.F.L. 7.65mm - semi-jacketed hollowpoint w/ nickelplated primer I think it's a Bristol Flare Corp. manufacture, but I can't find anything definitive; can anyone confirm/dispel this? (I also have a .45ACP and a stack of "9mm Luger" with the same abbreviation) Your help in filling the gaps in my history notes is be greatly appreciated |
February 25, 2013, 05:47 PM | #2 |
Senior Member
Join Date: January 23, 2001
Location: People's Republic of Kanada
Posts: 1,652
|
No. 1 should have been loaded prior to 1923, going by the primer style.
No. 2 is a more "generic" headstamp, but was likely loaded for commercial (civilian) sales. No. 3 is Australian. and the "2Z" shows that this was loaded with one of the early forms of flake nitrocellulose powder, instead of cordite. No. 4 is almost certainly marked as "G.F.L", loaded by Fiocchi.
__________________
Gun control in Canada: making the streets safer for rapists, muggers, and other violent criminals since 1936. |
February 25, 2013, 06:57 PM | #3 |
Junior Member
Join Date: February 24, 2013
Posts: 3
|
You're right, it's a G not a B.
I went through the whole stack (about 20 in total) and finally found one with a nice clear stamp, where you can actually make out the lettering. Also found a '92 WCC NATO with a really badly formed primer pocket... Thanks much for the info! It's always nice to know a bit more about one's collection |
February 26, 2013, 11:17 AM | #4 |
Senior Member
Join Date: July 21, 2011
Location: Idaho
Posts: 7,839
|
that last one is winchester 9mm nato from 92,
__________________
ignore my complete lack of capitalization. I still have no problem correcting your grammar. I never said half the stuff people said I did-Albert Einstein You can't believe everything you read on the internet-Benjamin Franklin |
March 1, 2013, 12:35 AM | #5 |
Member
Join Date: February 16, 2011
Location: St. Louis Area
Posts: 69
|
http://cartridgecollectors.org/?page=headstampcodes
http://www.afte.org/ExamResources/ga...992c372e0f6465 My two favorite headstamp galleries.
__________________
rocky |
Thread Tools | Search this Thread |
|
|