Small arms calibre markings on base of cartridge cases and rifle clips

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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.

Dimensions

1. length:
   total length of the cartridge case measured from top to bottom.

2. mouth:
   diameter at the top of the case.

3. rim:
   diameter of the rim at the bottom of the case.

4. body:
   diameter of the case itself.

Examples

Primers

1. Berdan

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.

2. Boxer

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, clips & chargers used during World War One and currently in our collection.

	6.5 x 52.5 Carcano Marked: B.P and B - 03 (1903) B.P = Pietro Boschesi (Chief Inspector) B = Pirotecnico di Bologna, Italy
	6.5 x 52.5 Carcano Marked: L.N and C - 14 (1914) L.N = Nicola Leggiadore (Chief Inspector) C = Pirotechnia di Capua, Italy
	6.5 x 52.5 Carcano Marked: T.R and C - 11 (1911) T.R = unknown Chief Inspector C = Pirotecnico di Capua, Italy
	6.5 x 53.5R Mannlicher Marked: 15 and U (1915) Artillerie-Inrichtingen Hembrug (NL) U = lot number brass case
	6.5 x 53.5R Mannlicher Marked: 16 and X (1916) Artillerie-Inrichtingen Hembrug (NL) X = lot number brass case
	6.5 x 53.5R Mannlicher Marked: 17 and U (1917) Artillerie-Inrichtingen Hembrug (NL) U = lot number brass case
	7.62 x 63 Marked: R A and H 18 (1918) RA H = Remington Arms Co. Inc, Hoboken, New York, USA
	7.7 x 56R British Marked: W 14 and VII (Mk. VII Ball) (1914) W = Winchester Repeating Arms Co., USA
	7.7 x 56R British Marked: K15 and VII (Mk. VII Ball) (1915) K = George Kynoch, England
	7.7 x 56R British Marked: B 16 and VII (Mk. VII Ball) (1916) B = Birmingham Metal & Munitions Co., England
	Lebel 8 x 50R, Model 1886D with solid brass Balle D boat tail bullet (post 1912 design with deep grove around primer to keep point from the primer when stacked in a tube magazine) Marked: VE P and 4 16 (1916) VE = Cartoucherie de Valence, France P = Société Française des metaux, de Couéran (brass factory)
	Lebel 8 x 50R, Model 1886D with solid brass Balle D boat tail bullet. Marked: ATS.R. ART.D and 4 12 (1912) ATS = Atelier de Construction de Tarbes, France R = Trefileries et Laminoris du Havre, de Rugles (brass factory)
	Lebel 8 x 50R, Model 1886D with solid brass Balle D boat tail bullet. Marked: VE.BS ART.D and 2 12 (1912) VE = Cartoucherie de Valence, France BS = Atelier de Laminage de l'Ecole Pyrotechnie de Bourges (brass factory)
	8 x 50.5R Mannlicher Marked: V H and 19 15 H = Hirtenberger Patronen- Zündhütchen- und Metallwarenfabrik, Austria V = 5th. month of the year
	8 x 50.5R Mannlicher Marked: VIII H and 19 14 H = Hirtenberger Patronen- Zündhütchen- und Metallwarenfabrik, Austria VIII = 8th. month of the year
	8 x 50.5R Mannlicher Marked: GR IX and 19 14 GR = Georg Roth (monogram), Austria IX = 9th. month of the year
	9 x 23 Marked: SB and 1917 SB = Sellier & Bellot, Austria
	11.35 x 23 (.45 ACP) Marked: REM - UMC and 18 (1918) REM-UMC = Remingtom Arms - Union Metallic Cartridge Co., USA

	F r a n c e Berthier rifle Model 1890, containing three 8 x 50R Lebel cartridges. Steel clip has no markings.
	F r a n c e Berthier rifle Model 16, containing five 8 x 50R Lebel cartridges. Steel clip has no markings.
	E n g l a n d SMLE (Short Magazine Lee Enfield) clips Model I, containing five 7.7 x 56R cartridges. Also used in P.14. Steel clip has the Mark number on it and makers code.
	G e r m a n y Mauser rifle Model M.1888 clip, containing five 8 x 57 I (I = Infantry) cartridges. No markings known.
	G e r m a n y Mauser rifle Model M.98, containing five 8 x 57 cartridges. Clips were either made out of one single strip of brass or a combination of a steel strip with a separate spring. Clip has either no markings, or maker's code and date (last two digits).
	A u s t r o - H u n g a r i a n Mannlicher rifle M.1888, 1889/90 and 1895, containing five 8 x 50R cartridges. Steel clip with maker's mark (GR monogram).
	I t a l y Mannlicher-Carcano rifle M.91, containing six 6.5 x 52.5 cartridges. Brass or steel, maker's code and date (last two digits). For example: B.P. with B-15.
	T h e N e t h e r l a n d s Mannlicher rifle M.95, containing five 6.5 x 53.5 cartridges. Steel, maker's code and date (last two digits). For example: H with 18.

Reference list

• The Cartridge Guide, by Ian V. Hogg (Arms and Armour Press, London 1982).
• Identifizierung von Handfeuerwaffen Munition, by Jakob H. Brandt and Horst H. Hamann (Journal Verlag Schwend GmbH, Schwäbisch Hall 1971).
• The Illustrated Encyclopedia of Ammunition, by Ian V. Hogg (Apple Press, London 1985).
• Patronen, by J. Lenselink, H.E. Wanting and W.D. de Hek (Delfia Press BV, Rijswijk 1983).
• Small Arms of the World, by Joseph E. Smith and W.H.B. Smith (A & W Visual Library, 1973).
• Small and Medium Caliber Military Cartridges, by J. Lenselink and W.D. de Hek (Delfia Press BV, Rijswijk 1986).