303 Bundle and Labels

[relbut]

I realised that I hadn't identified the "CAC" on the thread on 303 Bundles. CAC is for Colonial Ammunition Company and although they started in New Zealand these bundles were from the factory in Footscray in Melbourne. It is believed the earliest Footscray produced 303 is from 1901 (Mark II). The GB is of course, Greenwood and Batley.
While I was on a roll, thought I'd do another set of scans which consist of a bundle wrapper from the first dated Australian 303 (May 1906) and labels from 48 round boxes from the 1920's. Although not illustrated the 1928 label is as for 1926/27 and interesting to note the use of H.121 and green print on the 1929. The labels all have the Footscray identifier MF. The headstamp drawings are those from the actual packets.
Les

 

[TonyE]

Labels

Great labels. I believe the earliest CAC .303 bundles contain imported GB headstamped Mark IIs along with the unheadstamped examples. Also, I was under the impression that the first Australian CAC production was 1900 and that it overlapped with the last .577/450 production in 1901.

Regards
TonyE

 

[relbut]

TonyE, you are correct regarding 1900 production of 303 Mark II at CAC Footscray, had forgotten it and I wasn't aware of it until Barry Temple mentioned it. Also wondering if the GB bundle in the previous thread was ammunition brought out to supplement supplies in the early years??

Les

 

[TonyE]

GB

I would think that was almost certainly the case. I think GB had a minority interest in CAC along with Kynoch and Witney, and there is mention of GB ammo being imported to act as a supplement to local supplies.

How is young Barry these days? I have not seen him since he was over here twenty years ago with Skenny.

Regards
TonyE

 

[relbut]

TonyE,
All of my contact with Barry Temple has been via letters generally replying to queries he has raised in the ACCA Inc. journals. He did mention having met you some time ago.
Les