Help with 303 info.

[Bullet Mick]

Hello im looking for info on these two 303s. The one with the hollow tip is stamped R /l\ L V C. Would this of had something in the end or would it of been as is. The other one is stamped K 11 /l\ V 1. When would these have been manufactured are they from WW1 vintage. Any help would be great. Cheers Mick.

 

[smle2009]

Hi Mick,
the R^L V C is a Mk 5 Cotdite ball from Royal Laboratory,Woolwich,the projectile is as should be...the K 11 ^ ^ VI is a Mk6 Cordite ball by George Kynoch Ltd,Birmingham in 1911,the two broad arrows show that this round was assembled from a outside contractors case,neither are from WW1 as the Mk6 is dated 1911 and Mk5 ammunition was made from 1899 to 1904(ish)

All the best
Tony

 

[Bullet Mick]

Tony thanks for that i did not realise they were that early. I have several other 303s that i would like to find info on them, can you recomend any good books etc with 303 head stamps in. Cheers Mick.

 

[Falcon]

Contact forum member TonyE . He wrote a book called "Headstamp Guide: .303 inch British Service Ammunition".

It is definitely worth buying if you are interested in collectong .303s.

 

[smle2009]

I agree with Falcon,TonyE has wrote two books regarding .303" ammunition..... 'Headstamp Guide: .303 inch British Service Ammunition' and 'Headstamps and Markings on .303 inch British Service Ammunition' that complement each other (both also deal with Commonwealth 303 ammunition also) and well worth having in your reference library. http://www.kenelks.co.uk/solopublications/military.htm




Cheers
Tony

 

[37patt]

You may also want to pick up a copy of .303 by Labbett and Mead, this book covers British stuff mainly. For Canadian .303, I picked up a privately published booklet titled "Canada and the .303 British 1892-1992. It was compiled, written and illustrated by C.R. MacDonald in 1995.

 

[MissingSomething]

You may also want to pick up a copy of .303 by Labbett and Mead, this book covers British stuff mainly. For Canadian .303, I picked up a privately published booklet titled "Canada and the .303 British 1892-1992. It was compiled, written and illustrated by C.R. MacDonald in 1995.

Where did you find a copy of that? I have a CIL published booklet on .303 that pretty good as well. I ill have to see who the publisher is.

 

[TonyE]

Hi Mick,
the R^L V C is a Mk 5 Cotdite ball from Royal Laboratory,Woolwich,the projectile is as should be...the K 11 ^ ^ VI is a Mk6 Cordite ball by George Kynoch Ltd,Birmingham in 1911,the two broad arrows show that this round was assembled from a outside contractors case,neither are from WW1 as the Mk6 is dated 1911 and Mk5 ammunition was made from 1899 to 1904(ish)

All the best
Tony

Thanks for the books plug guys!

Not quite the case (!) Tony. The two Broad Arrows were stamped on contractor made ammunition to show acceptance for service, i.e. the Lot had been passed by the government inspectors at the contractor's factory as meeting the specifications for accuracy, pressure etc. Ammunition that failed any part of proof was marked with a punch dot in the headstamp and usually sold off to the civilian market. Eley Bros were having problems at about this time and it is not uncommon to find Eley .303 rounds with the punch dot.

The Broad Arrow acceptance stamp did not last long, being introduced in the 1907/08 year and continuing until about 1913.

Rounds manufactured at RL Woolwich using outside contractors' cases were headstamped with the contractor's number code, e.g. "6 C II".

Bullet Mick - post details of the rounds you would like identified here and we will do our best to help. If you want details of my books send me a PM.

Cheers
TonyE

 

[Bullet Mick]

Thanks for the help Tony will try and dig out the other 303s and post when i find them. Cheers Mick.