Un-headstamped .303" Blanks

[khanmak]

Hi All!
At the risk of posting this and becoming nicknamed "Mr its already been posted" I'm after some info on .303" blank that is manufactured with no headstamp! TonyE I expect you know the answer!
I have come across a number of these where absolutely no headstamp exists at all - very annoying when trying to date the use of the area where found! I'm guessing that these are WW2 era where the production process became just to onerous to headstamp! I know that many blanks also have spurious headstamps where rejected cases from other marks were re-used as blank!
Any info appreciated!

Cheers
Mark

 

[TonyE]

Blanks

Hi Mark - there were plenty of headstamped reject cases around in WW2, so I have never come across plain headed Blank Mark V from that period.

However, when the very similar Blank L Mark 9z was introduced in 1955 quite a number seem to have been made by Radway Green with no headstamp at all. Quite why this was so I do not know, but it is not unusual to find whole packets like that.

Regards
Tonye

 

[hangarman]

The current batch of .303 blanks on the re-enactment circuit are Egyptian. I dont know wether they were made there or elsewhere under contract. They have no head stamps. I dont think they are british contract because they come in 70 round cardboard boxes with loose cardboard dividers. Will try and post a picture later.Maybe someone can decypher the label!
Hangarman

 

[TonyE]

Blanks

I would be interested to see both the round and the box if you can post a picture. Also would like to acquire a live round.

Regards
TonyE

 

[hangarman]

 

[hangarman]

 

[hangarman]

For all interested parties!

 

[TonyE]

Egyptian blanks

The blanks were made at the factory at Alexandria. The symbol on the box represents the famous lighthouse there.

Regards
TonyE

 

[relbut]

Unheadstamped .303" Blanks

I was interested in the replies to this thread as I have found that most British .303" Mk V and Vz blanks of WW2 vintage that I have encountered have no headstamp or when headstamped have utilised reject or surplus cases. The following scan of a selection of Blank packets show:
The BE marked bundle, are all unheadstamped. The unmarked bundle has a mixture of B^E 1942 VII, B^E 1942 GII, RG 1942 BVIIZ and unheadstamped. The 20 Cartridge box, all cartridges are unheadstamped.
Another bundle just dated 13/3/43 had a mixture of K4 1942 GII, K4 1942 GV, RG 1942 BVIZ, RG 1942 BVIIZ and unheadstamped.

 

[smle2009]

I also have a packet of unmarked Mk V blanks,packet also unmarked.
Can any info be found from the letter/number code on the top left hand corner of these packets?

All the best
Tony

 

[TonyE]

Labels etc.,

Well, I was obviously having a senior moment when I posted that nonsense about not having seen unheadstamped blank Mark V! Of course there are, I have an undated packet just like the one shown. I crave your forgiveness, gentlemen!

As for labels, the number in the top corner is simply the label number. Land Service labels are usualy "H" numbers and seem to have been allocated sequentially as they were needed. Up until about 1942 the "H" series also included Air Service amm such as BIVz, but from that date the labels changed to "A.I.D." for "Air Inspection Department". Naval Service have "N" numbers, like the 9mm 2z label I posted recentlyand the .303 packet below.

Regards
TonyE

 

[khanmak]

Thanks all for your info! It seems that un-headstamped rounds originate from the WW2 period, but for an as yet unknown reason. Be interesting to find out if we can eventually get to the bottom of this question!
Cheers
Mark

 

[smle2009]

Just one more observation re; Relbut's packets of blanks,in buff coloured paper with red grid, when the red grid on blue paper is the normal id for .303" blanks?

Tony

 

[TonyE]

Packets

Your are right, blanks should be red text on blue paper, but perhaps the buff paper was a wartime economy measure?

The other thing I note is that whilst both buff packets are numbered H.266, the Blackpole packet has "(52-607)" in very small print under the date box. Not sure what that means.

Regards
TonyE

 

[relbut]

Un-headstamped 303 Blanks

Regarding the colours of the blank bundles in my post. On scanning the bundles, the colour didn't turn out as it should, however the 20 round box came out correctly. The undated bundle is a medium grey with dark orange printing. The BE bundle is a lighter grey with brick red print.
I have been doing a small study of cartridge packaging and as regards the blank bundles although the printing on them is basically Red, the paper varies greatly and can be shades of Blue, Grey and Buff.
I am not sure what the small serial number under the date grid on the BE bundle means but on the 32 round boxes with the H.3282 wrap around label a similar number appears i.e. 51.5148. Have noticed this on boxes dated RL 4-10-54 and GB 28-4-55.

Les.

 

[TonyE]

Wrapper colours

If they are actually grey rather than buff then it makes more sense. At least a shade of grey has a passing aquaintance with blue!

Thanks also for the information on the small print numbers, I will check the rest of my labels. Are there any labels types you need info about for your study?

Regards
TonyE

 

[relbut]

Un-headstamped 303" Blanks

This may be drifting away from the "Blanks" thread but to add to the small unknown codes that appear on labels, attached is a scan of a Mark 7 Standard box and a L9Z Blank box (a bit faded, dated RG 25-7-58).
To TonyE, I would appreciate any label scans on:
Blank Bundles up to 1935, Case Chargers 1914 - 1935, Grenade Cartridge tins 1920 onwards and Greenwood Batley packets 1920's to 1945. I do realise the scarcity of the above items.

If there is interest I am prepared to put together scans of 303 Bundles, 380 Revolver boxes and 455 Revolver boxes (I did some 455 boxes a while back) all mainly Australian.
Les

 

[TonyE]

Labels

Good pictures of labels are always interesting, so yes please.

I will have a look through my labels and see what might be of interest to you.

Regards
TonyE