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Different Rounds

Printed From: Enfield-Rifles.com
Category: Reloading
Forum Name: Reloading .303 British
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URL: http://www.enfield-rifles.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=13066
Printed Date: March 26 2026 at 7:10pm
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Topic: Different Rounds
Posted By: martini1215
Subject: Different Rounds
Date 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



Replies:
Posted By: Mayhem
Date 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.


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.303 - Helping Englishmen express their feelings since 1889


Posted By: martini1215
Date 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.


Posted By: Strangely Brown
Date Posted: January 05 2024 at 5:09am
R^L on a headstamp would be Royal Laboratories or otherwise known as Woolwich.  

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Mick



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