ABSTRACT
A cartridge head stamp is the marking on the base of a cartridge casing that surrounds the primer cup (see Figure 3.1). In the case of a rim-re cartridge, the head stamp covers the entire casing base. e marking may be pressed into the casing, or it may be a raised marking. ere has never been a universal standard or protocol that has been observed with respect to what should be marked on a cartridge; therefore, great variations can be expected. One must remember that ammunition manufacture can be the enterprise of a private company, a state-controlled enterprise, or a governmentally operated arsenal. It must also be considered that commercial manufacturers may produce military ammunition or that government-produced ammunition may be released into the commercial market. ere are instances, however rare, of completely anonymous cartridges that bear no markings whatsoever, as none were ever axed. e marking practices of the manufacturer or nation of origin may reveal any or all of the following information by deciphering the head stamp:
• Manufacturer (by name, initials, or factory code) • Subcontractor involvement in production • Casing or projectile material • Dimensions or chambering (imperial, metric, or gauge) • Ammunition production lot number • Date, usually the last one or two digits of the year produced • National crests or emblems • Peculiarities of the individual cartridge under inspection, such as match or com-
petition grade, or material supplier subcontractors
Head Stamp Elements
To assist in identication, a head stamp can be broken into elements based on their position on the casing. Due to space considerations, there can only be a nite number of elements and information that can be part of the head stamp. To arrange a casing, orient the casing so that the letters, numbers, or other characters are upright and readable around the circumference of the casing.
