Anyone know about cartridge case id marks?

[andybysea]

Hi
was out today looking for new beaches to camp on when i found in the mud at the top of one of the cliffs here a rather old looking cartridge case, with the letters R A on the base and the numbers 43 and three tiny triangle shapes around the percussion cap,the case looks like its either .55 boys or .50 to me anyone know out about these things?

Just done a bit of online searching and Remington Arms seems possible 43 could be the date,which would tie in with .50 cal? possible wartime round, there are a fewformer RAF bases round here etc.

 

[IanM]

A little, enough to get by. RA will be the manufacturer and 43 probably the year. The triangular marks might be punched 'stakes' holding the primer in, difficult to say without seeing the case.

Translations here:
http://cartridgecollectors.org/headstampcodes.htm

 

[andybysea]

Ian thats the site i looked on,was thinking that about the primer, i will see if i can get a piccy up, cheers.

 

[wicca]

I would say that Ian is correct. RA was the headstamp of Remington Arms Company and 43 will be the date of production. The 'triangles' are retaining stamp marks for the primer. I've seen similar ammo with an RA headstamp manufactured by a Norwegian company with an unpronouncable name, but the location of find indicates Remington, possibly from aircraft armament

 

[andybysea]

just a update the case is copper not brass ive just cleaned it up with fairy liquid and a sponge and its defo copper, i know Bristol Beaufighter did target practice 30 miles North of here and theres RAF drone hill a few miles from here probs right guys 50 cal from aircraft piccy as soon as misses get in with camera.

 

[launditch1]

Sounds interesting..Is it complete?

 

[wicca]

Andy, I'm sure you probably know anyway but 'brass' cartridge cases are made of a compound of Brass, Copper and commonly, lead mixes. When exposed to salt water the compounds break down partly due to galvanic corrosion where one metal reacts against another when in contact with salt water (and even salt laden air environment) You may well find that the copper component of your 63 year old case is now more predominant than the brass content. I'm fairly confident that you have a normal 'brass' case that has been 'got at' by Mother Nature..
As a matter of interest towards the end of the war when the Germans were having trouble obtaining copper to make the alloys for brass cartridges, they used steel casings. Especially in the rounds for the Gerwerh 43, their ammo munching assault rifle.
That steel ammo still fires, I've put a lot down range and it still performs on a par with the 7.62 Russian short (7x39mm) which I found impressive for stuff well over half a Century old.

 

[woof]

a fair few rounds down range using the mp44 in that cal, impressive stuff & indeed an impressive weapon.

Rob

 

[Itzal]

Get hold of the royal armouries they are helpful guys normally or if you know a link to a close EOD section (any service) they will be able to trace it.

 

[andybysea]

Launditch just the case, Wicca never thought of that but it makes sense, pics arent great especially of base but phone cam,get the gist though,cheers guys, Itzal yep not a bad idea may go and see if theres anymore if its from a .50 machine gun possibly more around there.