Different Rounds

Message Topic Search Topic Options Post Reply Create New Topic Printable Version Translate Topic

   Hi guys, as mentioned before I collect older 303 Rounds.I recently gained a couple of rather interesting ones with what appear to be wooden bullets in them.
The first has a sky blue coating and doesnt sound like it has powder in, I guess it could contain packed cordite or a BP pellet, the headstamp is R^L     39    L V11.
It has the very large primer.and I got 4 of these.

Next up is evidently a drill round, Purple round tipped wooden bullet, the cartridge has 1/16 ish holes at the head and midway up it.
Headstamp is E.14   V11 there is no primer just the pocket with 2 small flash holes either side and a brass flat headed dimple in the middle.
Sorry I cant put pics up yet but its getting closer.
If anyone would like photos I will post them as soon as I can.
Have a happy new year all Martini

Author	Message Topic Search Topic Options Post Reply Create New Topic Printable Version Translate Topic
martini1215 Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Groupie Joined: December 11 2023 Location: Cleethorpes Status: Offline Points: 90	Post Options Post Reply Quote martini1215 Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Topic: Different Rounds Posted: December 28 2023 at 3:22am
	Hi guys, as mentioned before I collect older 303 Rounds. I recently gained a couple of rather interesting ones with what appear to be wooden bullets in them. The first has a sky blue coating and doesnt sound like it has powder in, I guess it could contain packed cordite or a BP pellet, the headstamp is R^L 39 L V11. It has the very large primer.and I got 4 of these. Next up is evidently a drill round, Purple round tipped wooden bullet, the cartridge has 1/16 ish holes at the head and midway up it. Headstamp is E.14 V11 there is no primer just the pocket with 2 small flash holes either side and a brass flat headed dimple in the middle. Sorry I cant put pics up yet but its getting closer. If anyone would like photos I will post them as soon as I can. Have a happy new year all Martini

Mayhem Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Senior Member Joined: February 06 2016 Location: Australia Status: Offline Points: 335	Post Options Post Reply Quote Mayhem Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Posted: January 04 2024 at 5:44pm
	The first one is a Mk VII blank (the L denotes blank) which was designed for use in the Bren gun, with a blank firing attachment fitted. The second one is most likely a Mk IV drill round that has been made using an Eley manufactured Mk VII ball case. I say most likely, as there were a number of "expedient" drill rounds made during the war years and these sometimes deviated from the standard patterns. Blanks, drill and dummy rounds were commonly made using reject ball cases (as is the case with your second round). Purpose made cases for each would carry L, D and U letter codes, respectively. In all cases, the number indicates the year of manufacturer and can be either full year or just the last two digits.
	.303 - Helping Englishmen express their feelings since 1889

martini1215 Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Groupie Joined: December 11 2023 Location: Cleethorpes Status: Offline Points: 90	Post Options Post Reply Quote martini1215 Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Posted: January 05 2024 at 4:28am
	Brilliant thankyou Mayhem. I can normally identify things from websites but sometimes pictures and descriptions are a bit hazy Its interesting how many different connotations of a round there are even without going down the route of collecting different headstamps.

Strangely Brown Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Senior Member Joined: April 05 2022 Location: Wiltshire Status: Offline Points: 645	Post Options Post Reply Quote Strangely Brown Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Posted: January 05 2024 at 5:09am
	R^L on a headstamp would be Royal Laboratories or otherwise known as Woolwich.
	Mick