Help with rifle cartridge ID

fastforty · June 8, 2006, 11:36 PM

I aquired a couple of brass clips each containing 6 rounds of rifle ammo. The bullets are quite long & protruding from the cases. Headstamp is BP (on top of circle) & B 18 (on bottom of circle). On the bottom of one clip is LN + C-17, and the other one says BP + B-20 (Googling these numbers didn't produce any valuable info).

I'd like to know what caliber/rifle these were made for, & the approximate vintage. I will probably polish one set up nice & purdy & leave the other as-found.

For comparison, left to right: Cartridge in question, .243, 30-30, cartridge in question again, 30-06, then the full clip.

Thanx in advance

Below is a nice big pic, but it's only 13kb

Jim Watson · June 9, 2006, 08:23 AM

Cartridges are 6.5x52 Italian in six-shot enbloc clip for the Mannlicher-Carcano rifle. The combination was in use from 1891 through WW II.

Exact source and age would just be speculation on my part but there is an Italian ammunition company Bascheri & Pegliari and it is common for military ammunition to be dated in the headstamp.

**Mike Irwin** · June 9, 2006, 10:24 AM

Cartridge identification is correct.

I should be able to give you manufacturer this evening when I get home and get access to my references.

**Mike Irwin** · June 10, 2006, 08:18 AM

I've got your answers...

BP / B-20

The BP are the initials of the Italian's chief government inspector at the time. No notation is made of his name. The cartridges were made at Pirotecnico de Bologna in 1920.

LN / C-17

Also Italian, LN are the initials of Leggiadre Nicola, the chief inspector. Production was at Pirotecnico di Capua in 1917.

fastforty · June 12, 2006, 01:38 AM

Awesome, a million thanx

June 8, 2006, 11:36 PM	#1
fastforty Senior Member Join Date: December 28, 1999 Location: In a kornfield in kalifornia Posts: 1,161	Help with rifle cartridge ID I aquired a couple of brass clips each containing 6 rounds of rifle ammo. The bullets are quite long & protruding from the cases. Headstamp is BP (on top of circle) & B 18 (on bottom of circle). On the bottom of one clip is LN + C-17, and the other one says BP + B-20 (Googling these numbers didn't produce any valuable info). I'd like to know what caliber/rifle these were made for, & the approximate vintage. I will probably polish one set up nice & purdy & leave the other as-found. For comparison, left to right: Cartridge in question, .243, 30-30, cartridge in question again, 30-06, then the full clip. Thanx in advance Below is a nice big pic, but it's only 13kb __________________ When Banjos are outlawed, only Outlaws will have Banjos The Bible is my lawbook. I turn the other cheek when applicable, and spend the rest of my days resisting evil at every front, until I have breathed my last breath.

June 9, 2006, 10:24 AM	#3
Mike Irwin Staff Join Date: April 13, 2000 Location: Northern Virginia Posts: 41,380	Cartridge identification is correct. I should be able to give you manufacturer this evening when I get home and get access to my references. __________________ "The gift which I am sending you is called a dog, and is in fact the most precious and valuable possession of mankind" -Theodorus Gaza Baby Jesus cries when the fat redneck doesn't have military-grade firepower.

June 10, 2006, 08:18 AM	#4
Mike Irwin Staff Join Date: April 13, 2000 Location: Northern Virginia Posts: 41,380	I've got your answers... BP / B-20 The BP are the initials of the Italian's chief government inspector at the time. No notation is made of his name. The cartridges were made at Pirotecnico de Bologna in 1920. LN / C-17 Also Italian, LN are the initials of Leggiadre Nicola, the chief inspector. Production was at Pirotecnico di Capua in 1917. __________________ "The gift which I am sending you is called a dog, and is in fact the most precious and valuable possession of mankind" -Theodorus Gaza Baby Jesus cries when the fat redneck doesn't have military-grade firepower.

June 12, 2006, 01:38 AM	#5
fastforty Senior Member Join Date: December 28, 1999 Location: In a kornfield in kalifornia Posts: 1,161	Awesome, a million thanx __________________ When Banjos are outlawed, only Outlaws will have Banjos The Bible is my lawbook. I turn the other cheek when applicable, and spend the rest of my days resisting evil at every front, until I have breathed my last breath.

Thread Tools	Search this Thread
Show Printable Version Email this Page	Search this Thread: Advanced Search

June 9, 2006, 08:23 AM	#2
Jim Watson Senior Member Join Date: October 25, 2001 Location: Alabama Posts: 18,535	Cartridges are 6.5x52 Italian in six-shot enbloc clip for the Mannlicher-Carcano rifle. The combination was in use from 1891 through WW II. Exact source and age would just be speculation on my part but there is an Italian ammunition company Bascheri & Pegliari and it is common for military ammunition to be dated in the headstamp.