Canadian 303 tracer

[smle2009]

Hi to all,
just come across a Canadian .303" tracer,headstamped 1945 DI Z,with a red bullet tip,I know they normaly use white tips for the GIVz,so is this red tip normal for another mark of G in Canadian use?
I have come across Canadian GIV tracers with normal type ball headstamps,so is it normal to find these red tipped versions without a 'G' headstamp also?

Cheers
Tony

 

[Andysarmoury]

Hi Tony, i have seen them and from what i know is they were GII tracers but we need TonyE to confirm it
Cheers
Andy

 

[TonyE]

Yes, these are Canadian GII tracers loaded on "universal" headstamped cases. They are found with both red and purple primer annulus.

The idea was to use a standard headstamp for all loads and ID the nature of the round by tip colour, red for GII, white for GIV etc. The Canadians did a similar thing with the .5 Vickers using a Three Rivers headstamp "TR 1944" with tip colours. See attached.

Regards
TonyE

 

[smle2009]

Many thanks Andy and TonyE,
do the GII also 'turn' up with a GII headstamp?,looks like I have got one of these and a GIV with a 'universal' headstamp to find now:sad:!

Those .5 Vickers look very nice,almost like crayons!

Cheers
Tony

 

[Andysarmoury]

Hi TonyE, do you have any information on the tracer bullet for the Canadian GII ie: weight and was the base closed with a brass washer or not
regards
Andy

 

[smle2009]

Hi Andy,
not yet mate still waiting on this one,but will attack it with the mole grips,or even a bullet puller, and have a look when it comes

Cheers
Tony

 

[Andysarmoury]

Ok Tony, keep me posted when it arrives, TonyE do you know anything about the GII Canadian Tracer bullet would they have been the same as the British ones?
Cheers
Andy

 

[TonyE]

Canadian GII bullets should be to the standard British spec, i.e. weight around the 154 grain mark and with a brass washer at the base (although not all British ones did). Canada also made the GI for longer than we did but that generally does not have the washer.

Regards
TonyE

 

[Andysarmoury]

Hi TonyE, thanks for confirming that also was the case the small boxer primed one.
Best regards
Andy

 

[303Gunner]

1943 GIIz with DI Z headstamp, NO annulus and red tip:

 

[TonyE]

Any chance you can send me a scan or photograph of the label please?

Thanks
TonyE