![]() The Western Front Museum Last updated: Identification Pistol & rifle cartridges Headstamps (small calibre) Rifle clips Howitzer & canon cartridge cases Headstamps (large calibre) Fuze types & markings ![]() ![]() ![]() |
|
Here we put some of the most common shell body and base markings for you on paper which will finally enable you to understand some of these markings and establish its origin. The other marks could be a reference to the propellant, bullet type, date and month of manufacturing. |
Dear Visitor,Should you happen to have or know about a cartridge case which is dated before 1919 and have no longer use for
it (dislike brass polishing !) or is just gathering dust in some forgotten corner, we would very much like to hear from you. A cartridge case which has been transformed into a vase, lamp or any other shape (socalled "trench art") is also more than welcome. The museum's collection can always use expansion. |
These lists were put together once we had established the origin of most of the cartridges
we collected over the years, and we are very much aware that they are far from complete. The other
information which will help you to determine its origin are the shell's measurements (base,
bottom, top and sometimes neck diameter and full length).
Please drop us a line if you happen to have additional information for us on the subject.
|
First of all you need to understand that every type of wapen has most of the time its own specific cartridge, either as complete unit or as separate parts: shell, primer, charge and projectile.
For determination we use two basics: the case shape and dimensions.
straight & rimmed:
parallel-sided or slightly tapered, rim is larger than the rest of the case (for example: Webley .455).
straight, rimless, semi-rimmed:
parellel-sided or slightly tapered, rim is the same diameter as the case and separated by a extraction groove (for example: Colt .45 ACP).
necked, rimmed:
a rimmed case with the case diameter reduced sharply towards the top of the case (for example: Lee Enfield 7.7 x 56R, Lebel 8mm).
necked, rimless:
the same as no.2 but with the case body reduced in diameter as no.3 (for example: Mauser 8 x 57).
rebated, rimless:
all cases as no.2 and no.4 but with the extraction rim somewhat smaller in diameter than the base of the case.
belted:
a belted case can either be rimmed or rimless, straight or necked but with a clearly visible raised belt around the case slightly forward of the rim.
length:
total length of the cartridge case measured from top to bottom.
7.7 x 56R | 7.7mm 56mm R | = calibre = length of the case = rimmed |
8 x 57 | 8mm (7.92) 57mm | = calibre = length of the case |
Designed by Colonel Hiram S. Berdan of the US Army Ordnance Department in the 1860s. Destinctive feature of this type of primer is that the anvil forms part of the cartridge case. A number of flasholes alongside it permits the ignition flame to pass from the primer cap to the body of the case which contains the main charge. This type of primer is used in almost every military ammunition.
Developed by Colonel Edward Boxer, Superintendant of the Royal Laboratory at the Woolwich Arsenal in 1866. This design makes use of an anvil which is a separate component forming part of the primer. The case itself has one single flas hole to allow the flash from the primer to pass. More difficult to manufacture but can easily be removed thus allowing the case to be re-used more easily. Often found in commercial ammunition.
A summary of some of the cartridges, shells and chargers currently in our collection.
CALIBRE |
DESCRIPTION |
COUNTRY |
---|---|---|
6.5 x 52.5 | Carcano M.1891 | Italy |
6.5 x 53.5R | Mannlicher M.95 | The Netherlands |
7.5 x 53.5 | Schmidt-Rubin Model 1889 | Switzerland |
7.5 x 55 | Schmidt-Rubin Model 1896/11 | Switzerland |
7.62 x 53R | Mosin-Nagant M.1891 | Russia |
7.62 x 63 | Springfield P.17 (.30-06) | USA |
7.63 x 25 | Mauser C96 | Germany |
7.65 x 17 | FN M1900 (.32ACP) | Belgium |
7.7 x 56R | Lee Metford/Enfield/P14 (.303) | England |
8 x 50.5R | Mannlicher M.1888, M.1888/90 and M.1895 | Austro-Hungarian |
8 x 51R | Lebel M1886/Berthier Model 1890/1916 | France |
8 x 57 | Mauser M.1888, M.1891 and M.1898 | Germany |
9 x 19 | Parabellum P.08 | Germany |
9 x 21 | FN M1903/Husqvarna M07 (9mm Browning Long) | Belgium/Sweden |
9 x 23 | Steyr 1911 (Steyr 9mm) | Austro-Hungarian |
9 x 25 | Mauser C96 'Rote Neun' (9mm Mauser Export) | Germany |
10.4 x 38R | Vetterli M1867-71/78 | Switzerland |
11.2 x 60R | Mauser M1871 | Germany |
11.3 x 50R | Beaumont M1871/88 | The Netherlands |
11.4 x 22R | Webley (.455) | England |
11.5 x 58R | Werndl M77 | Austro-Hungarian |
11.35 x 23 | Colt M.1911 (.45 ACP) | USA |
13 x 92HR | Mauser Tankgewehr M18 | Germany |
MARKING |
DESCRIPTION |
REMARK |
COUNTRY |
---|---|---|---|
VII | Mk. VII bullet | .303 | England |
VIIG | Mk. VII bullet with tracer | .303 | England |
S67 | S = Spitzer (Bullet) & 67 indicates the case alloy of 67% copper | 8x57 | Germany |
AA | Pirotecnico di Capua, Adamo Aldo (Chief Inspector) | Italy | |
ABS | Atelier de Construction de Bourges | France | |
AP | Etablissements A. Pouvesle, Arcueil | France | |
APX | Ateliers de Construction de Puteaux | France | |
ARS | Ateliers de Construction de Rennes | France | |
ATS | Atelier de Construction de Tarbes | France | |
B | Birmingham Metal & Munitions Co., Birmingham | England | |
BP | Pirotecnico di Bologna | Italy | |
CA | Pirotecnico di Bologna, Alfredo Cavalli (Chief Inspector) | Italy | |
CAC | Colonial Ammunition Co., Auckland | New Zealand | |
DAL | Dominion Arsenal, Lindsay | Canada | |
DM | Deutsche Metallpatronenfabrik, Karlsruhe | Germany | |
GR (monogram) | Georg Roth, Vienna | Austria | |
H | Rheinische Metallwarenfabrik, Düsseldorf | 8x57 | Germany |
H | Hirtenberger Patronen- Zündhütchen- und Metallwarenfabrik | 8x50.5R | Austria |
H | National Brass and Copper Tube Co., Hastings, New York | USA | |
J | Birmingham Metals & Munitions Co. Waltham, Essex |   | England |
KN | Kings Norton Metal Co. | England | |
K | George Kynoch Ltd., Birmingham | England | |
LN C | Pirotechnia di Capua, Nicola Leggiadore (Chief Inspector) | Italy | |
M | Nobel Explosives Ltd., Glasgow | England | |
MW | Munitionswerke Schönebeck am Elbe | 8x57 | Germany |
N | possibly RWS contract | 8x57 | Germany |
P | Polte, Magdenburg | 8x57 | Germany |
P | Peters Cartridge Company, Kings Mills, Ohio |   | USA |
PV | Pirotecnico di Capua, Vincenzo Puscarella (Chief Inspector) | Italy | |
RA | Remington Arms (RA H = Hoboken) | .30-06 | USA |
R/|\L | Royal Laboratories, Woolwich | England | |
REM-UMC | Remingtom Arms - Union Metallic Cartridge Co., Bridgeport | USA | |
RR | Ross Rifle Co., Quebec | Canada | |
RW | Rudge Whitworth Cycle Co, Nottingham | England | |
S67 | Model S case made by Spandau, the 67 is the percentage copper | 8x57 | Germany |
SFM | Sociéte Française des Munitions | France | |
TE | Atelier de Construction de Toulouse | France | |
TR | Pirotecnico di Capua | Italy | |
TS | Atelier de Construction de Tarbes | France | |
US | United States Cartridge Company, Lowell | USA | |
VE | Cartoucherie de Valence | France | |
VIS | Atelier de Construction de Vincennes | France | |
W | Winchester Repeating Arms Co.,New Haven, Conn. | USA |
![]() | F r a n c eBerthier rifle Model 1890, containing three 8 x 51R Lebel cartridges. |
![]() | F r a n c eBerthier rifle Model 16, containing five 8 x 51R Lebel cartridges. |
![]() | E n g l a n dSMLE (Short Magazine Lee Enfield) clips Model I, containing five 7.7 x 56R cartridges. Also used in P.14. |
![]() | G e r m a n yMauser rifle Model M.1888 clip, containing five 8 x 57 I (I = Infantry) cartridges. |
![]() | G e r m a n yMauser rifle Model M.98, containing five 8 x 57 cartridges. |
![]() | A u s t r o - H u n g a r i a nMannlicher rifle M.1888, 1889/90 and 1895, containing five 8 x 50R cartridges. |
![]() | I t a l yMannlicher-Carcano rifle M.91, containing six 6.5 x 52.5 cartridges. |
![]() | T h e N e t h e r l a n d sMannlicher rifle M.95, containing five 6.5 x 53.5 cartridges. |