Mystery Case

Bucksnort1 · September 28, 2015, 05:01 PM

While looking for brass, I found a 30-06 case for which I cannot determine the manufacturer. It is Berdan primed, is made of steel and is a somewhat shiny grayish color. I have used two magnifying glasses, to double the magnification, and I still cannot make out what the three small symbols are in the head stamp. The letters, SPRG and numbers .30-06 are also on the head. The interesting thing about the case is, about 3/8" from the extraction groove, there is an indented ring around the case. The ring is about 1/16" wide and about the same depth. Any ideas?

**Unclenick** · September 28, 2015, 05:26 PM

Pictures are all I can suggest.

**Mike Irwin** · September 28, 2015, 06:36 PM

Yep, need pictures.

Chances are it is American or Canadian commercial based on the headstamp alone.

Bucksnort1 · September 28, 2015, 07:38 PM

I can take a photo of it but mine are always too big for an attachment and I don't know how to reduce the size. If I can do this, I will attach a photo.

Ifishsum · September 28, 2015, 07:58 PM

I believe I have seen Wolf, Tula or some other Russian manufactured .30-06 ammo with a ring around the case that sounds like what you described.

gyvel · September 28, 2015, 08:06 PM

American or Canadian commercial steel case Berdan primed ammo???

LOLLL!!!!

**44 AMP** · September 28, 2015, 10:26 PM

Quote:

I have used two magnifying glasses, to double the magnification, and I still cannot make out what the three small symbols are in the head stamp.

That makes it tough, and a picture of something we can't tell what it is isn't worth much.

Since it is steel and berdan primed, an US / Canadian maker seems very unlikely. Most likely some former east block country, made for the commercial market.

Bucksnort1 · September 29, 2015, 10:25 AM

44 AMP,

I agree with you. On the web site where I identify head stamps, I see a lot of stamps with three letters and not being able to identify the three on the case, I can't get a good ID. I kept the case because it's unusual with the indented ring above the extraction groove.

**Mike Irwin** · September 29, 2015, 11:11 AM

Oh hell, I missed the part about it being steel. Yeah, most likely Russian.

As for your picture, see the last post in this thread: http://thefiringline.com/forums/showthread.php?t=292842

It tells you exactly how to resize photos.

mikld · September 29, 2015, 11:14 AM

It's been a while so I'm working on foggy memories. I found a half dozen cases like you mention, steel with buff silver finish, Berdain primed and a groove above the case head. My research found it was an Eastern European manufacture round (mebbe Chec.) and earlier '60s production. Possibly for the military. Still have them...

I'm on a new computer so pics aren't available...

**Mike Irwin** · September 29, 2015, 11:14 AM

Here, does it look vaguely like this?

mikld · September 29, 2015, 11:33 AM

The ones I have are quite similar except without the olive drab lacquer finish, just a semi-dull steel finish...

T. O'Heir · September 29, 2015, 01:10 PM

Lightly sand the head with emery cloth a bit.
MFS from Hungary made steel cased, Berdan primed .30-06 too.

September 28, 2015, 05:01 PM	#1
Bucksnort1 Senior Member Join Date: July 8, 2013 Location: Littleton, Colorado Posts: 1,121	Mystery Case While looking for brass, I found a 30-06 case for which I cannot determine the manufacturer. It is Berdan primed, is made of steel and is a somewhat shiny grayish color. I have used two magnifying glasses, to double the magnification, and I still cannot make out what the three small symbols are in the head stamp. The letters, SPRG and numbers .30-06 are also on the head. The interesting thing about the case is, about 3/8" from the extraction groove, there is an indented ring around the case. The ring is about 1/16" wide and about the same depth. Any ideas?

September 28, 2015, 05:26 PM	#2
Unclenick Staff Join Date: March 4, 2005 Location: Ohio Posts: 21,063	Pictures are all I can suggest. __________________ Gunsite Orange Hat Family Member CMP Certified GSM Master Instructor NRA Certified Rifle Instructor NRA Benefactor Member and Golden Eagle

September 28, 2015, 06:36 PM	#3
Mike Irwin Staff Join Date: April 13, 2000 Location: Northern Virginia Posts: 41,389	Yep, need pictures. Chances are it is American or Canadian commercial based on the headstamp alone. __________________ "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.

September 28, 2015, 08:06 PM	#6
gyvel Senior Member Join Date: August 30, 2009 Location: Northern AZ Posts: 7,172	American or Canadian commercial steel case Berdan primed ammo??? LOLLL!!!! __________________ As always, YMMV. __________________________________________ MIIAA SIFE

September 29, 2015, 11:11 AM	#9
Mike Irwin Staff Join Date: April 13, 2000 Location: Northern Virginia Posts: 41,389	Oh hell, I missed the part about it being steel. Yeah, most likely Russian. As for your picture, see the last post in this thread: http://thefiringline.com/forums/showthread.php?t=292842 It tells you exactly how to resize photos. __________________ "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.

September 28, 2015, 07:38 PM	#4
Bucksnort1 Senior Member Join Date: July 8, 2013 Location: Littleton, Colorado Posts: 1,121	I can take a photo of it but mine are always too big for an attachment and I don't know how to reduce the size. If I can do this, I will attach a photo.

September 28, 2015, 07:58 PM	#5
Ifishsum Senior Member Join Date: September 15, 2005 Location: Oregon Posts: 1,033	I believe I have seen Wolf, Tula or some other Russian manufactured .30-06 ammo with a ring around the case that sounds like what you described.

September 29, 2015, 10:25 AM	#8
Bucksnort1 Senior Member Join Date: July 8, 2013 Location: Littleton, Colorado Posts: 1,121	44 AMP, I agree with you. On the web site where I identify head stamps, I see a lot of stamps with three letters and not being able to identify the three on the case, I can't get a good ID. I kept the case because it's unusual with the indented ring above the extraction groove.

September 29, 2015, 11:14 AM	#10
mikld Senior Member Join Date: February 7, 2009 Location: Southern Oregon! Posts: 2,891	It's been a while so I'm working on foggy memories. I found a half dozen cases like you mention, steel with buff silver finish, Berdain primed and a groove above the case head. My research found it was an Eastern European manufacture round (mebbe Chec.) and earlier '60s production. Possibly for the military. Still have them... I'm on a new computer so pics aren't available... __________________ My Anchor is holding fast! I've learned how to stand on my own two knees...

September 29, 2015, 11:14 AM	#11
Mike Irwin Staff Join Date: April 13, 2000 Location: Northern Virginia Posts: 41,389	Here, does it look vaguely like this? __________________ "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.

September 29, 2015, 11:33 AM	#12
mikld Senior Member Join Date: February 7, 2009 Location: Southern Oregon! Posts: 2,891	The ones I have are quite similar except without the olive drab lacquer finish, just a semi-dull steel finish... __________________ My Anchor is holding fast! I've learned how to stand on my own two knees...

September 29, 2015, 01:10 PM	#13
T. O'Heir Senior Member Join Date: February 13, 2002 Location: Canada Posts: 12,453	Lightly sand the head with emery cloth a bit. MFS from Hungary made steel cased, Berdan primed .30-06 too. __________________ Spelling and grammar count!