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The
Western
Front
Museum
Created: 15/03/2002

Last updated:

Identification

Pistol & rifle cartridges

Headstamps (small calibre)

Rifle clips

Howitzer & canon cartridge cases

Headstamps (large calibre)

Fuze types & markings

Large calibre markings on cartridge cases
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.

Much appreciated.


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 on the subject.

WARNING - WARNING - WARNING

Collecting socalled 'live ammunition' is in most countries forbidden. You need to have a special permit to do so (check with your local police-station). Illegal possession of ammunition is considered to be a criminal act. You might end up with a heavy fine, and the chance of going to jail (not to mention the confiscation of your whole collection). Also take in consideration that in case of a fire your insurance-company might simply refuse to pay out. It is not worth the risk. Be warned !


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Howitzer & canon cartridge cases

A summary of some of the cartridge cases currently in the collection.

CALIBRE DESCRIPTION COUNTRY
37 x 94R3,7 cm Hotchkiss C/97USA, France, England, Germany, Russia
37 x 137RUS Navy 1 Pndr.USA
47 x 131R4,7 cm HotchkissUSA, England, Russia, Japan
53 x 176R5,3 cm GrusonGermany
57 x 224R5,7 cm NordenfeltBelgium, France, Germany
57 x 305R6 Pndr.England
75 x 100R7,5 cm Feld KanoneGermany
75 x 125R7,5 cm Feld Kanone M15 (Skoda)Austo-Hungary, Germany
75 x 278R75 mm FK07 K/30 ErhardtGermany
75 x 350R75 mm Mle 1897France
76 x 294R13 PndrEngland
76.2 x 385R7,62 cm Infanterie/besp. FLAK geschützRussia, Germany
77 x 230R7,7 cm Feld Kanone 96 n/AGermany
77 x 282R8 cm M5Austria
77 x 586R8cm FlaK L/45KGermany
84 x 294R18 Pndr.England
88 x 292R25 Pndr.England
88 x 390R8.8 cm SK C/95Germany
88 x 563R9cm FlakGermany
100 x 132R10 cm M14Austria
105 x 391R10.5 cm L Mle 1913 SchneiderFrance
110 x 92R10.5 cm L.F.H. 98/09Germany
110 x 505R10.5 cm Kanone 04Germany
110 x 883R4 inch/50calUSA
130 x 705R13 cm Kanone L/35 M.1908Germany
117 x 86R4.5 Inch HowitzerEngland
155 x 113R15 cm HaubitzeGermany
155 x 725R15 cm Kanone 16Germany
215 x 231R21 cm MorserGermany
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Headstamps
French 3,7 cm Hotchkiss
German 3,7 cm Hotchkiss
37mm - Germany

3,7 cm Hotchkiss

Marked: C/97.98 and KARLSRUHE, VI and 1903

Crowned M = Kaiserliche Marine (Imperial Navy) arsenal's acceptance stamp
37mm - France

3,7 cm Hotchkiss

Marked: 37-85 and PD.Ps,
116 and 2.16 (1916)

PD.Ps = Parc d'Artillerie de Paris
37mm - Germany

3,7 cm Hotchkiss

Marked: PATRONENFABRIK and KARLSRUHE, 1917 and 119A
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5,7cm Nordenfelt - Belgium5,7 cm Nordenfelt

Marked: EP, 1 (January, or LOT number 1) and 12 (1912)

EP = Ecole Pyrotechnique, Antwerp (Belgium)
6 Pdr - England6 Pdr.

Marked: RL and CF,
1917

RL = Royal Laboratories, Woolwich Arsenal
CF = Charge loaded with cordite / Full charge

E57 = inspection mark
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75mm - Germany

7,5 cm Feld Kanone

Marked: PATRONENFABRIK and KARLSRUHE, SEPT and 1897

AWS = Artillerie Werkstatt Spandau

10 & 19 = inspection marks
7,5 cm Feldkanone M15 - Austro-Hungary

7,5 cm Feld Kanone M15 (Skoda)

Marked: BERNDORF and 1917, 7,5cm M15 and 284

BERNDORF = Berndorf, Austria (see also BMF) and
284 = inspection mark

Cartridge case is battlefield relic hence the discoloring
7,5 cm Feldkanone M15 - Germany

7,5 cm Feld Kanone M15

Marked: PATR and 1918, FN and HL27

FN = Friedrich Niemeyer,
HL = Haniel Luege Düsseldorf (brass factory) and
27 = inspection mark
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13 Pdr - England13 Pdr.

Marked: II and 1918,LOT83 and V.S.M.

VSM = Vickers, Son and Maxim
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77mm - Germany

7,7 cm Feld Kanone 96

Marked: HL and HL8,
MRZ and 1908


HL = Haniel Luege Düsseldorf (brass factory) and
27 = inspection mark
77mm - Germany

7,7 cm Feld Kanone 96

Marked: PATRONENFABRIK and KARLSRUHE, JUNI and 1915

St = Strengthened case (Stark),
167 = LOT number and
Crowned Ke = inspection marks
77mm - Germany

7,7 cm Feld Kanone 96

Marked: FN and HL27,
AUG and 1917

St = Strengthened case (Stark),
138 = LOT number,
HL = Haniel Luege Düsseldorf (brass factory),
27 = inspection mark and
FN = Friedrich Niemeyer
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4.5 Inch Howitzer - England

4.5 inch Howitzer

Marked: 4-5 IN HOWr and 1915,
CF and LOT162

CF = Charge loaded with cordite / Full charge
C.S. & R in small square = inspection marks
Shellcase has been used numerous times judging by the amount of different inspection marks (cartridge case is battlefield relic hence the discoloration)

4.5 Inch Howitzer - England

4.5 inch Howitzer

Marked: 4-5 IN HOWr and 1917,
CF and LOT57

CF = Charge loaded with cordite / Full charge
C.S. & FG & U in circle = inspection marks
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The country name between [....] means the origin of the cartridge case itself. The other marks will indicate where the shell was assembled (sized, primer inserted, powder charge filled and in most cases a shell added).

MARKING

DESCRIPTION

REMARK

COUNTRY

67indication for brass quality Germany
A (encircled)Case has been fired once England
A· (encircled) punch mark added for subsequent firing England
ABSAtelier de Construction de Bourges France
ALCOAmerican Locomotive Company England [USA]
AMSAtelier de Chargement de Moulins France
APXAtelier de Constructions de Puteaux France
ARSAtelier de Constructions de Rennes France
ATEAtelier de Constructions de Toulouse France
AWDrArtillerie Werkstatt Dresden Germany
AWSArtillerie Werkstatt Spandau Germany
BMFBerndorf Metalware Fabrik Germany [Austro-Hungary]
BSCBethlehem Steel Corporation England [USA]
CFCharge loaded with corditeFull chargeEngland
CMMCurran Metal & Munitions Co. Cardiff England
CRCharge loaded with corditeReduced chargeEngland
CSCast steel England
CSSCanadian Cartridge Co., Hamilton Canada
DE CCanon 75 de Campagne France
DCP CoDominion Copper Products Company Canada
DWMDeutsche Waffen und Munitionsfabrik Germany
ECPEcole centrale de Pyrotechnic à Bourges France
EDBEtablissement Delaunay-Belleville France
EOCElswick Ordnance Company England
EPEcole de Pyrotechnique, Antwerp Belgium
FNFriedrich Niemeyer Germany
FPSFederal Press Steel Company, Milwaukee3-inch, 6-inch and 7-inchUSA
FSForced steel England
G217Geschossfabrik nr.217?Germany
GG (W)Gelsenkirchner Gusstahl Werke Germany
GF SpGeschossFabrik Spandau Germany
Hcase head formed by a hammer England
HLHaniel Luege Düsseldorfbrass factoryGermany
HLWHarrisburg Pipe Company USA
JM CoJenckes Machine Co. Canada
KHA?? Canada ?
KPKrupp Essen Germany
LPyrotechnic Maritime de Lourient France
LNParc d'Artillerie de Place de Lyon France
LTParc d'Artillerie de Place de Lorient France
MACMacFarlane Electrical Co., London England
MLWMontreal Locomotive Works Canada
NHJ?? Canada ?
PFilled with gunpowderNot for blank cartridgesEngland
PCFDParc d'Artillerie de Place de Clermont-Ferrand France
PBSParc d'Artillerie de Place de Bourges France
PDPParc d'Artillerie de Place de Paris France
PDPsPinchart Deny Paris France
P.E.M. Co.Poole Engineering and Machine Co. USA
PVSParc d'Artillerie de Versailles France
PVISParc d'Artillerie de Vincennes France
PolteMagdeburg Germany
PxArtillerie de Puteaux France
RALRA Lister & Co, Cardiff England
RhMFRheinische Munitionsfabrik Düsseldorf Germany
RLRoyal Laboratories, Woolwich Arsenal England
S·Case tested with scleroscope (for hardness)on 13pdr., 18pdr. and 4.5in howitzer only(?)England
SFMSociéte Française des Munitions France
SHSiemens-Halske Germany
SMCSinger Manufacturing Co. England
Sp255inspection markKarlsruhe (Sp=Spandau)Germany
St46inspection markSt = strengthened case (Stark)Germany
Ste Fse MonsSociéte Française des Munitions France
TPyrotechnic Maritime de Toulon France
TEPoudrerie de Toulouse France
TLParc d'Artillerie de Place de Toul France
TNParc d'Artillerie de Place de Toulon France
TRTir Rapide= Rapid firingFrance
USNGFU.S. Naval Gun Factory, Washington DC USA
VNParc d'Artillerie de Place de Verdun France
VSMVickers, Son and Maxim England
WMFG Co.?? USA
WNYWashington Navy Yard USA
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