NATO headstamp, 7.62mm

[raymeketa]

The earliest headstamp I have on a 7.62mm NATO cartridge is FN 54 (+). The earliest US headstamp is FA 55 (+). So, what is the earliest British NATO headstamp?

Ray

 

[TonyE]

British 7.62mm NATO

The sequence of British 7.62mm NATO rounds was:

Unheadstamped (trial 1953 production)
RG 53 (Commenced October 1953)
RG 54
RG 54 7.62 A1 (First year of L2A1 in headstamp)
RG 55 7.62 A1
RG 55 7.62 L2A2 (First year of L2A2 in headstamp)
RG 56 7.62 L2A2
RG 57 L2A2 (+) (First year of NATO symbol)

I have nearly finished an article on early British 7.62mm NATO for the IAA Journal.

Regards
TonyE

 

[smle2009]

Hi Tony,
I have a 55 and a 56 headstamped L2A1 as well as ones headstamped L2A2(56) and A1(55).

Cheers
Tony

 

[TonyE]

7.62mm

Hi Tony

Yes, I did not list every combination, but I have those also. I should have included the "RG 55 L2A1" as you rightly point out as it is a stage in the evolution of the headstamp.

I did not post too many as then no one would bother reading the article!

Cheers
TonyE

 

[raymeketa]

Thanks Tony and Tony,

I was asking specifically about British 7,62mm with the NATO mark (+). Since I collect pre-NATO, having the earliest NATO cartridges is a natural extension of my collection.

L&M illustrate a K 59 L2A2 (+) headstamp but the RG 57 L2A2 (+) listed by Tony E obviously pre-dates that.

Thanks again.

Ray

 

[smle2009]

Hi Tony

Yes, I did not list every combination, but I have those also. I should have included the "RG 55 L2A1" as you rightly point out as it is a stage in the evolution of the headstamp.

I did not post too many as then no one would bother reading the article!

Cheers
TonyE

Sorry boss,I thought I may have had a couple of intresing ones as the dates overlap!
Always bother to read you articles mate,no matter how long 'cause thats how one learns things,wot!:bigsmile:

Cheers
Tony