A headstamp is the markings on the bottom of a cartridge case designed for a firearm. It usually tells who manufactured the case. If it is a civilian case it often also tells the caliber: if it is military, the year of manufacture is often added.
The left cartridge's headstamp says "FC 223 REM" which means that is was made by Federal Cartridge Co. and it is in the caliber ".223 Remington". The cartridge on the right has a headstamp that says "LC 99" with a symbol that consists of a cross in a circle. This cartridge was made in 1999 by the Lake City Army Ammunition Plant, in Independence, MO, USA. The symbol on this headstamp means it meets NATO specifications.
The headstamp is punched into the base of the cartridge during manufacture. A resource for identifying where the ammunition originated can be found at Cartridge Collectors.
Military Headstamps[]
Military cartridge headstamps do not usually have the caliber and cartridge name on it. The headstamp may have a 2- or 3-symbol letter, number, or alphanumeric code indicating the place of manufacture.[1] This is usually followed by two digits indicating the last two digits of the year of manufacture. Early 20th century cartridges may have additional digits or a letter indicating the month of manufacture. The packaging usually has the manufacturer code, 2-digit year, and a lot number on it so bad or suspect batches can be removed.
American Cartridges[]
Civilian Contractors[]
- FCC Federal Cartridge Corporation - Anoka, Minnesota[2]
- RA Remington Arms - Bridgeport, Connecticut
- US United States Cartridge Company - Lowell, Massachusetts (1867-1926).
- W or WCC Western Cartridge Company - East Alton, Illinois
- WRA Winchester Repeating Arms Company - New Haven, Connecticut
Commercial Cartridges[]
The US military used commercial cartridges for its training rifles, non-standard weapons, and shotguns. These usually had different headstamps than the military ammunition (usually their civilian one) and were shipped in commercial crates rather than military packaging.
- ♦ Western Cartridge Company - East Alton, Illinois:
- F Federal Cartridge Corporation - Anoka, Minnesota
- H Winchester Repeating Arms Company - New Haven, Connecticut:
- P, PCCo or PETERS Peters Cartridge Company - Kings Mills, Ohio:
- REM-UMC Remington-Union Metallic Cartridge - Bridgeport, Connecticut
- U Remington Arms - Bridgeport, Connecticut:
See also[]
References[]
- ↑ Sharpe, Philip B. Complete Guide to Handloading (1953) Funk & Wagnalls p.75
- ↑ Davis, William C., Jr. Handloading (1981) National Rifle Association p.21
The original article can be found at Headstamp and the edit history here.