Military headstamps List of military headstamps

1 military headstamps

1.1 united states military cartridges

1.1.1 arsenals
1.1.2 civilian contractors
1.1.3 commercial cartridges
1.1.4 competition-grade military cartridges


1.2 special cartridges
1.3 commonwealth military cartridges

1.3.1 australia (66)
1.3.2 canada (20 , 21)
1.3.3 south africa (18)
1.3.4 united kingdom (99)


1.4 nato manufacturers

1.4.1 austria (41)
1.4.2 belgium (13)
1.4.3 bosnia-herzegovina (75)
1.4.4 brazil (19)
1.4.5 czech republic (16)
1.4.6 denmark (22)
1.4.7 egypt (36)
1.4.8 finland (58)
1.4.9 france (14)
1.4.10 germany (12)
1.4.11 greece (23)
1.4.12 india (72)
1.4.13 israel (31)
1.4.14 italy (15)
1.4.15 japan (30)
1.4.16 lithuania (47)
1.4.17 netherlands (17)
1.4.18 norway (25)
1.4.19 pakistan (76)
1.4.20 poland (43)
1.4.21 portugal (24)
1.4.22 romania (39)
1.4.23 serbia (73)
1.4.24 singapore (32)
1.4.25 republic of south africa (18)
1.4.26 south korea (37)
1.4.27 spain (33)
1.4.28 sweden (65)
1.4.29 turkey (27)


1.5 warsaw pact manufacturers

1.5.1 soviet union
1.5.2 bulgaria (50)
1.5.3 czechoslovakia
1.5.4 yugoslavia


1.6 south american manufacturers

1.6.1 argentina (29)
1.6.2 chile (52)
1.6.3 paraguay
1.6.4 venezuela


1.7 african manufacturers

1.7.1 zimbabwe


1.8 asian manufacturers

1.8.1 china
1.8.2 indonesia (45)
1.8.3 malaysia (34)
1.8.4 taiwan (?)

military headstamps

two digits last 2 digits of year of manufacture. 20th century cartridges may have additional digits or letter indicating month of manufacture. letter code indicates place of manufacture:

united states military cartridges
us arsenals

world war ii manufactured cartridges single 4 year of production made in 1944. demand great cartridges manufacturers ground off 3 on 43 stamp save time. wartime plants closed end of war.

ao or ks allegheny ordnance plant (kelly springfield) - cumberland, maryland (1943-1945); operated kelly-springfield tire co., division of goodyear rubber. conversion rubber tire production began in 1944.
cb curtis bay ordnance depot (cbod) - baltimore, maryland (1917-1957). used store, examine, , repack ammunition.
den denver ordnance plant - denver, colorado: division of remington arms. (1941-1945)
dm des moines ordnance plant - des moines, iowa: division of rubber co. (january 1942 july 1945)
ec evansville ordnance plant (chrysler) - evansville, indiana: division of chrysler-plymouth. (june 1942 april 1944) manufactured brass-cased ammunition. 1943 1944 manufactured steel-cased .45 acp ammunition.
ecs evansville ordnance plant (chrysler-sunbeam) - evansville, indiana: division of sunbeam refrigerator co. (1942-1944). chrysler bought plant keep demand. loaded cartridges made @ evansville-chrysler plant across town , packed them in shipping crates shipment. first plant manufacture ammo in vacuum-packed metal cans.
ew eau claire ordnance plant - eau claire, wisconsin division of rubber co. (august 1942 december 1943)
fa frankford arsenal - philadelphia, pennsylvania (1816-1977).
haw hawthorne naval ammunition depot - nevada. (1926-1977 (haw); 1977-1992 (hwaap); 1992–present (hwad))
kop kingsbury ordnance plant - kingsbury, indiana. (1941-1945; 1950-1959).
lc lake city ordnance plant, independence, missouri: division of remington arms. (1940–present)
lm lowell ordnance plant - lowell, massachusetts (1942-1943)
m milwaukee ordnance plant - milwaukee, wisconsin: operated rubber co. (august 1942 december 1943).
p, pc, pcc kings mills ordnance plant (peters cartridge company) - kings mills, ohio: sub-contractor owned remington arms 1934 1944. converted produce .30 carbine ammunition in 1943 , produced more lake city 1944. closed down in march, 1944 consolidate production @ more centrally-located plants. (1942-1944)
rop redstone ordnance plant - huntsville, alabama (1941-1949). combined huntsville depot facility form redstone arsenal in 1949.
sl st. louis ordnance plant - st.louis, missouri: (november 1941 june 1945)
tw twin cities ordnance plant - minneapolis, minnesota: (1942-1945; 1950-1957; 1965-1976; 2002-2005)
u or ut utah ordnance plant - salt lake city, utah; division of remington arms (march 1942 december 1943).

civilian contractors

fc or fcc federal cartridge corporation (1917-?) - anoka, minnesota
nc national brass & copper tube co., hastings, new york.
omf saint marks powder co. - saint marks, crawfordville, florida. division of olin-mossberg.
ra remington arms company - bridgeport, connecticut
ra h remington arms company - hoboken, new jersey.
us united states cartridge company - lowell, massachusetts (1867-1926).
w, wc, or wcc western cartridge company - east alton, illinois
wra winchester repeating arms company - new haven, connecticut

commercial cartridges

the military used commercial cartridges training rifles, non-standard weapons, , shotguns. these had different headstamps military ammunition (usually civilian one) , shipped in commercial crates rather 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:
r-p remington-peters - lonoke, arkansas (1970–present). lonoke facility produced centerfire ammo 1970; took on rimfire production bridgeport in 1989.
r--p remington peters - bridgeport, connecticut (1960-1989). bridgeport facility produced rimfire ammo 1970, closed down in 1989.
rem-umc remington-union metallic cartridge - bridgeport, connecticut (1911-1960). renamed remington-peters in 1960.
u union metallic cartridge company - bridgeport, connecticut (1873-1911): merged remington arms in 1911, still used u headstamp shotgun shells , rimfire cartridges.
u.s.c.co. united states cartridge company - lowell, massachusetts (1867-1926).
wra co winchester repeating arms company - new haven, connecticut

competition-grade military cartridges

ammunition designed military competitive shooting made variety of manufacturers.

match ammunition used target shooting. used designated marksmen , snipers because more accurate regular rifle ammunition @ long ranges.
nm national match. match ammunition specially made camp perry national rifle , pistol shooting matches.

special cartridges

during world war ii western cartridge company made 7.92mm mauser ammunition chinese nationalists. there chinese characters @ 3 o clock , 9 o clock positions , year of production (42, 43 or 44) @ 6 o clock position.

in 1953, large batches of .30-06 ammunition manufactured under unique arsenal headstamps. case had red lacquer sealant around primer. headstamp has two-letter manufacturer code , lot code (rather year) number 40 followed third numeral. collectors allege cartridges intended aid anti-communist insurgents , allied forces equipped weapons.

an 40# twin cities ordnance plant, minneapolis, minnesota.
bn 40# st. louis ordnance plant, st. louis, missouri.
cn 40# lake city ordnance plant, independence, missouri.

during vietnam war lake city ordnance plant (lc) produced unmarked boxer-primed m43 7.62×39mm cartridges use american , allied personnel. allowed reconnaissance , special operations units utilize captured communist bloc weapons sks carbine , akm assault rifle. afterwards bell laboratories (bel) made batches of 7.62×39mm ammo in 1970s , 1980s training soldiers in familiarization , use of communist bloc weapons.

commonwealth military cartridges

the number in parentheses nation s nation code.

australia (66)

a/|\f small arms ammunition factory no.1 - footscray; melbourne, victoria; australia (1888-1945) broadshead arrowhead between , f government property mark.
aff small arms ammunition factory no.2 - footscray; melbourne, victoria; australia (1940–1994)
cac colonial ammunition company - auckland, new zealand. (1890-1920)
/|\f - military factory footscray - footscray; melbourne, victoria; australia (1888-1945). broadshead arrowhead before f government property mark.
ici-anz imperial chemical industries of australia & new zealand -
mf small arms ammunition factory no.1 - footscray; melbourne, victoria; australia (1888-1945)
mg small arms ammunition factory no.2 - footscray; melbourne, victoria; australia (1940–1994)
mh small arms ammunition factory no.3 - hendon; adelaide, south australia; australia (1940-1945)
mj small arms ammunition factory no.4 - hendon; adelaide, south australia; australia (1940-1945)
mq small arms ammunition factory no.5 - rocklea; brisbane, queensland; australia (1942-1945)
mw small arms ammunition factory no.6 - welshpool, western australia; australia (1942-1945)
saaf small arms ammunition factory - footscray; melbourne, victoria; australia (1888-1945)

canada (20 , 21)

arsenals

the c in dac , vc had small broadshead arrowhead (/|\) inset indicate canadian government issue property.

c-i-l or cil canadian industries ltd. (1955-1976). corporation formed in 1910 merger of 5 canadian explosives companies , assets. ran defence industries ltd. munitions plants 1940 1946. owned dominion (1955-1966), imperial (?-1976), monark, , canuck commercial ammunition brands. used cil headstamp on cartridges 1955 until 1976, when ivi bought out commercial ammunition production.
da, dac, or daq dominion arsenal co. - quebec city (1882-1955) - quebec city, quebec; canada. dominion arsenal used daq headstamp 1914 1918, dac headstamp 1919(?) until 1955, , cil headstamp 1955 1976. 1945 1986 dominion arsenal under control of nationalised crown corporation called canadian arsenals ltd controlled department of supply , services. canadian arsenals ltd. privatised , bought snc-lavalin in 1986.
dal dominion arsenal - lindsay (1914-1918) - lindsay, ontario; canada. division of dominion arsenal co. formed in 1914 expand munitions production war effort.
di defence industries ltd. (1940-1946) - park avenue, brownsburg, montreal, quebec, canada. division of canadian industries ltd. formed in late 1939 produce munitions projected war effort. in 1941 began make high-quality boxer-primed .303 red label -type ammunition use in aircraft machineguns. in 1942 made first canadian government-manufactured 9×19mm parabellum cartridges commonwealth forces. made 7.92×57mm mauser rifle ammunition use in british 7.92mm besa machine gun , issue european resistance groups , nationalist , communist chinese.
div defence industries ltd. - verdun (1940-1946) - verdun, quebec; canada. division of canadian industries ltd. formed in 1939 produce munitions war effort.
ivi industries valcartier inc. (1977–present) - saint-gabriel-de-valcartier, quebec, canada. in 1935, ammunition manufacturing facility called val-rose built on grounds of disused world war 1-era valcartier military camp. 1945 1967 facility part of canadian arsenals ltd. , specialized in small arms ammunition. privatized industrie valcartier incorporee in 1967. bought out imperial, cil s commercial cartridge division, in 1976. acquired snc-lavalin (snc tec) in 1980, renamed ivi inc. ivi plant in valcartier ceased making commercial ammunition in 1988. ivi inc. later amalgamated general dynamics ordnance , tactical systems - canada inc. in 1989. valcartier plant closed in 1991.
tr dominion rubber & munitions (1940-1945) - trois rivieres, quebec; canada.
vc canadian industries limited - verdun arsenal - verdun, quebec; canada


civilian contractors


rr co ross rifle co. (1914-1919) - verdun, quebec; canada.


commercial manufacturers


dcco, dominion dominion cartridge co. ltd. (1886-1955) - brownsburg, quebec, canada. division of dominion arsenal produced ammunition civilian market 1911 1955. made part of canadian industries ltd. (cil) in 1928. during world war ii made military ammunition cil under dcco headstamp. changed headstamp dominion in 1947 , cil in 1955, still sold under dominion brand. sold ivi in 1966.
imperial commercial brand of ammunition manufactured canadian industries ltd. (cil); later used headstamp cil-imperial 1954 1976. bought out ivi inc. in 1976, restarted production in 1977, , ceased production in 1991(?).

south africa (18)

m m or mus musgrave manufacturers , distributors (pty) ltd. (1940?-1945?) - bloemfontein, south africa. safari rifle manufacturer manufactured cartridges during war. manufactured 9×19mm parabellum , 7.92×57mm mauser cartridges nationalist chinese shipped through canada.
sam south african mint (1962 - ?) - pretoria, south africa. later became pretoria metal pressing ltd.
u (1937-1961) - pretoria branch mint - pretoria, south africa. converted ammunition production in 1937. later became south african mint (sam) in 1962.
u <> (1939-1961) - kimberley branch mint - kimberley, south africa.

united kingdom (99)

/|\ = uk government property. formerly badge of sidney family, broad arrow (or devil s claws ) symbol appropriated british government indicate item government issue.
ff = filling factory.
gcf = government cartridge factory (1918-1919).
rof = royal ordnance factory.
saa = small arms ammunition factory (1940-1946).


/|\ (used 1940-1941) - rof radway green saa (rof 13). after 1941 use of broad arrow dropped , switched letters rg .
/|\ /|\ (used 1940-1941) - rof spennymoor saa (rof 21). after 1941 use of 2 broad arrows dropped , switched letters sr .
/|\ /|\ /|\ (used 1940-1941) - rof steeton saa. after 1941 use of 3 broad arrows dropped , switched letters st .
bbc - barking brassware co. barking, essex, uk
bmarc, bmarco - british manufacturing , research company, grantham, lincolnshire.
b, be, e, & bpf (1940 - 1946) - royal ordnance factory blackpole saa (rof 20), blackpole, worcestershire, uk. cadbury bros. ltd. factory temporarily converted ordnance plant war effort.
c-p crompton parkinson co. ltd, doncaster, yorkshire, u.k.
e (1866–present) - eley brothers, edmonton, london, uk.
gb - greenwood , batley, leeds, yorkshire, uk.
g18f1, c18f1 (1918) - government cartridge factory no.1 (production overseen birmingham metal , munitions co.) - blackheath, staffordshire. digits 18 last 2 digits of year of production.
g##f3, c##f3 (1918-1919) - government cartridge factory no.3 (production overseen kings norton metal co.) - blackpole, worcestershire. ## last 2 digits of year of production.
gkb (1884? - ?) - george kynock & co. of birmingham (later kynoch ltd. in 1896). made percussion caps 1862 , metallic cartridges 1884.
h - hall telegraph co.
hn (1942-1945) - rof hirwaun, hirwaun, rhondda cynon taf, south wales, uk.
k kynoch factories, imperial chemical industries ltd. - birmingham, uk.

k - kynoch & co, witton, birmingham, uk.
k2 (1943-1944) - i.c.i. (kynoch), standish, greater manchester, lancashire, uk
k3 - there no kynoch factory designated k3.
k4 (1942-1944) - i.c.i. (kynoch), yeading, middlesex, uk.
k5 (1944) - i.c.i. (kynoch), kidderminster, worcestershire.


p&s - platers & stampers ltd.
rc, rcc, & rh (1941-1945) - raleigh cycle co., carlton, nottingham.
rg (1940–present) royal ordnance factory radway green - radway green, cheshire; england, united kingdom.
r^l royal laboratory (1696-1965). - woolwich, greenwich, london, england, united kingdom.
rnadc royal naval armaments depot, caerwent, wales, united kingdom.
st royal ordnance factory steeton, steeton, west yorkshire
swn royal ordnance factory swynnerton. swynnerton, staffordshire, united kingdom.
th - rof thorp arch, thorp arch, west yorkshire, england, uk

nato manufacturers

the number in parentheses nation s nation code.

austria (41)

gr georg roth - vienna, austria. headstamp cypher of g & r combined.
h or hp hirtenberger patronen-, zündhütchen-und metallwarenfabrik a.-g. - hirtenberg, niederdonau, austria.
kc or k&c keller & co - hirtenberg bei wien, austria.
Öjp Österreichische jagdpatronenfabrik (1948 - ?) - kramsach, tirol, austria. founded in 1948, taken on hirtenberger on 1964.


german p-codes (1938-1940) - operated under german occupation


p.635 otto eberhardt patronenfabrik, hirtenberg, niederdonau, austria. formerly hirtenberger patronen-, zündhütchen-und metallwarenfabrik a.-g. until taken on after anschluss in 1938.

belgium (13)

ja jules ancion & cie, liege, belgium.
fn or fnb, fabrique nationale d armes de guerre (fn), herstal, belgium.
p fabrique nationale d armes de guerre (fn), herstal, belgium.
sf société de métallurgie franco-belge de issy-les-moulineaux ( franco-belgian metallurgic society of issy-les-molineaux ) - belgian division of société française des munitions de issy-les-moulineaux.

bosnia-herzegovina (75)

ИК, ik igman zavod ad konjic ( igman factory @ konjic ) - konjic, bosnia. named nearby igman plateau.

brazil (19)

cbc companhia brasileira de cartuchos - ribeirão pires, são paulo, brazil.

czech republic (16)

bxn sellier & bellot - vlasim, czech republic.

denmark (22)

from 1968 2007 ammunition packaging stamped or embossed letters hmak ensigned crown - standing hærens materielkommando (army materiel command)

ama ammunitionsarsenalet ( ammunition arsenal ) (1676 - ?) - københavn, denmark.

egypt (36)

egypt uses arabic-language letters , numerals in headstamp - letters , numerals read right left , dates , numbers read left right. (arabic-language numerals different western arabic numerals (i.e., 1, 2, 3, etc.) - also, arabs refer counting system indian numbers). @ 12 o clock three-letter acronym gomhoreyyet maṣr el-ʿarabeyya (arab republic of egypt) - looks english letters erc in cursive left right represent egyptian arabic letters gma right left. @ 4 o clock two-digit arsenal number , @ 8 o clock two-digit year. metric designation cartridge on headstamp written in reverse length first, followed bore (i.e., 7.62×54mmr m91 russian written 54 × 7.62).

gma 01 military factory 10 - alexandria, egypt.
gma 72 military factory 27 - cairo, egypt.

finland (58)

lapua lapuan patruunatehdas ( cartridge factory @ lapua ) (1949–1998) - lapua, finland. called nammo lapua (1998–present), division of nammo group.
vpt valtion patruunatehdas ( state ammunition factory ) (1923 - 1949) - lapua, finland. forerunner lapua. in 1949 absorbed valmet , renamed lapua.
sako sako a. b. ( suojeluskuntain ase-je konepa ja oy ) (1921–present)- riihimaki, finland

france (14)

note: french headstamps mark 1-digit quarter of year of production , 2-digit year @ 12-o clock position (e.g. q-yy), letter code metal supplier case @ 3-o clock position, cartridge caliber , model @ 6-o clock position, , manufacturer @ 9-o clock position.

alm ateliers legueu meaux (legueu workshops of meaux) - meaux, france. manufactured cartridge-cases , bullets.
apx atelier de construction de puteaux (manufacturing workshop of puteaux) - puteaux, france.
ars, rs atelier de construction de rennes (manufacturing workshop of rennes) - rennes, france.
ate, te atelier de fabrication de toulouse (manufacturing workshop of toulouse) - toulouse, france.
ats, ts atelier de construction de tarbes (manufacturing workshop of tarbes) - tarbes, france.
ave, ve cartoucherie de valence (cartridge factory of valence) (1874-1964) - town of bourg-lès-valence, municipality of valence, department of drôme, region of auvergne-rhône-alpes, france.
avis, vs atelier de fabrication de vincennes (manufacturing workshop of vincennes) vincennes, france.
cn ateliers mécaniques de normandie (mechanical workshops of normandy).
ecp ecole centrale de pyrotechnie (central school of pyrotechnics) bourges, france.
f cartoucherie française ( cartridge factory of france ) - survilliers, department of val-d oise, region of Île-de-france, france. starting small ammo-production firm dozen workers, government contracts during world war (1914-1918) produce military cartridges, rockets , shells caused grow 332 employees. interwar years (1919-1939) prosperous, cartridge production line shut down during german occupation (1940-1945). production resumed in mid 1940s, munitions production stopped in late 1980s due cancelling of government contracts.
g gévelot s. a. (société française des munitions de issy-les-moulineaux) paris, france
lm cartoucherie du mans (cartridge factory of le mans) le mans, france.
mgm manufacture générale de munitions (1930-1978) - bourg-les-valence , clérieux, france. bought out gevelot s.a. in 1974 , integrated société française des munitions in 1978. bourg-les-valence site closed , clérieux site run cheddite france.
mr manufacture de machines du haut-rhin ( machine-building factory of upper rhine) (manurhin) (?-1990) - mulhouse-bourtzwiller, france. bought out , merged giat in 1990. manufactured cartridges industrial machinery make bullets , casings , load cartridges.
ry Établissements rey frères ( rey brothers enterprises ) - nîmes, france
sf, sfm société française de munitions de issy-les-moulineaux (french association munitions) - issy les moulineaux, france. munitions division of gévelot s. a.
smi robert paulet & cie (société méridionale d industrie > meridian industrial association ) - marseille, france.
th cartoucherie de la seine ( cartridge factory of seine ).


french colonial arsenals


ar cartoucherie d alger ( cartridge plant of algiers ) algiers, algeria.
cv cartoucherie voltaïque ( cartridge plant of volta ) - ouagadougou, république de haute-volta
eid Établissements industriels de défense ( defense industry establishments ) damascus, syria; mandat français pour la syrie et le liban ( french mandate of syria , levant ) uses arabic letters , numbers on headstamp since independence.

germany (12)

(1918-1940)


ai deutsche waffen und munitionsfabriken a.g. - lûbeck-schlutup, schleswig-holstein, germany. headstamp used germany covertly supply spanish nationalists during spanish civil war. headstamp has ai @ 12 o clock position (perhaps copy headstamp of dutch artillerie-inrichtingen munitions works), large lower-case letter e s @ 3- , 9-o clock positions, , year of production @ 6 o clock position.
dwm b deutsche waffen und munitionsfabriken - berlin, borsigwalde, germany.
dwm h deutsche waffen und munitionsfabriken (1940-1945) - s-hertogenbosch, netherlands. nederlandsche wapen-en munitiefabriek nv. factory run german occupation forces.
dwm k deutsche waffen uund munitionsfabriken - karlsruhe, germany.
dwm l deutsche waffen und munitionsfabriken - lübeck, germany.
p polte armaturen-und-maschinenfabrik a.g., werk magdeberg - sachsen, magdeburg, germany.
skd selve-kronbiegel-dornheim a.-g. (1924-1940) - sömmerda, thuringia, germany. partnership between 3 former arms manufacturers turning cartridge manufacture. selve owned braun und bloem pinfire cartridge trademarks, manufactured pinfire cartridges @ fabrik von braun und bloem, , operated out of düsseldorf. rheinmetall owned dreyse und collenbusch needlefire cartridge trademarks , operated out of sömmerda, thüringen; used name kronbiegel ehrfurt merchant friedrich kronbiegel (?-1820) - dreyse s first partner. g.[ustav] c.[arl] dornheim owned gecado trademark, b.stahl metallhulsenfabrik - suhl ammunition plant in suhl (which made metal cartridge cases), , lindender zünderhütchen-, patronen- und tonwarenfabrik in empelde, ronnenberg, hannover (which made percussion caps , primers, assembled cartridges, , made clay pottery , dishes). skd manufactured ammunition under selkado ammunition trademark until 1940. g.c. dornheim a.-g. sold cartridge plant in suhl in 1925 , dynamit-nobel bought factory in empelde , gecado ammunition trademark g.c. dornheim a.-g. in 1927. afterwards rws began producing ammunition g.c. dornheim.
rdf. dynamit nobel, werk reinsdorf - reinsdorf, germany. absorbed i.g. farben in 1926, , wasag in 1945.


p-codes (1926-1941)


p.14a waffenwerke brünn a.-g., werk povazska bystrica - považská bystrica, czechoslovakia. operated under german occupation. later renamed povazske strojárne ( factory @ povaska ).
p.25 metallwarenfabrik treuenbritzen g.m.b.h, werk sebaldushof, sebaldushof, germany
p.28 deutsche waffen u. munitionsfabriken a.-g. (dwm), karlsruhe, germany
p.69 patronen-, zündhütchen- und metallwarenfabrik a.-g. (formerly sellier & bellot) schönebeck-an-der-elbe, salzlandkreis, sachsen-anhalt, germany.
p.94 kabel- und metallwerke- neumeyer a.-g., nürnberg, germany
p.120 dynamit a.-g. (dag), werk empelde (1928-1945) - empelde, ronnenberg, hannover, germany. formerly lindender zünderhütchen- und patronen-fabrik (?-1927); closed year reorganization , reopened in 1928.
p.131 deutsche waffen u. munitionsfabriken a.-g. (dwm), berlin-borsigwalde, germany
p.151 rheinisch-westfälische sprengstoff a.-g. (rws), werk nürnberg-stadeln, nürnberg-stadeln, germany.
p.154 polte metallwarenfabrik, werk grüneberg - grüneberg (nordbahn), germany
p.163 metallwarenfabrik treuenbrietzen, werk selterhof - selterhof, pommern, germany.
p.181 hugo schneider a.-g. (hasag), leipsig, germany.
p.334 mansfeld a.-g. metallwarenfabrik, werk rothenburg - saale, rothenburg, germany
p.369 teuto metallwerke g.m.b.h., osnabrück, germany
p.405 rheinisch-westfälische sprengstoff a.-g. (rws), werk durlach (formerly gustav genschow & co.), durlach, germany.
p.413 deutsche waffen-u. munitionsfabriken a.g. (dwm), lûbeck-schlutup, schleswig-holstein, germany


letter codes (1940-1945)


ch dwm lüttich (fn-herstal, liege) (occupied 1939-1944) - liege, belgium.
emp dynamit a.-g., werk empelde - empelde, ronnenberg, hannover, germany.
fer metallwerke wandhofen gmbh - wandhofen, schwerte der ruhr, nordrhein-westfalen, germany.
hhw metallwerke silberhütte gmbh, st-andreasberg-im-harz, goslar, lower saxony, germany.
hla metallwarenfabrik treuenbritzen gmbh, werk sebaldushof - sebaldushof, brandenburg, germany.
hlb metallwarenfabrik treuenbrietzen, werk selterhof - selterhof, pommern, germany.
hlc zieh-u. stanzwerke gmbh - schleusingen, thüringen
hrn presswerke gmbh - metgethen, ostpreußen, germany (now imeni alexandra kosmodemyanskogo, kaliningrad oblast, russian federation)
kam hasag (p.w.u. fabryka amunicji skarzysko-kamienna) (occupied 1939-1944) - skarżysko-kamienna, poland.


(1946–present)


dag dynamit nobel a-g () - troisdorf, rhein-sieg-kreis, north rhine-westphalia, germany , fürth. owned rws, geco, , rottweil brands. in 2002 ammunition factories , brands purchased ruag (rüstungs unternehmen aktiengesellschaft) , spun off form ruag ammotec gmbh (fürth).
me or men metallwerk elisenhütte nassau g.m.b.h. (1957–present) - nassau, lahn, rhineland-palatinate, germany. made part of cbc group in 2007.
ms manusaar a-g (1953-1973) - büdingen, hessen, west germany. known manusaar-diehl-büdingen, saarbrucken, frg; manusaar-büdingen saarbrucken; , société manusaar-büdingen. manusaar-diehl founded in 50s partnership between manurhin (france) , munitionsfabrikanten karl diehl (germany); name manusaar combination of manurhin , saar (the saar valley, factory based). manufactured primers 1953-1972 , cartridges 1957-1973; went out of business in 1973 due loss of market share other, larger european manufacturers.

greece (23)

epk, gpc, or hxp (pyrkal) greek powder & cartridge company - athens, greece. (1908-2004). manufactures cartridges , disintegrating belt links. merged ebo in 2004 become eas.
p c h, pc pouderie et cartoucherie hellenique (pyrkal). pyrkal s export , commercial headstamp during interwar years (1920s , 1930s). packaging in french. pc headstamp used on british contract orders until german occupation.

india (72)

kf kirkee factory, poona, kirkee, maharashtra state, india.
kh khamaria factory, khamaria, jabalpur district, madhya pradesh state, india.
ofv ordnance factory @ varangaon - varangaon, jalgaon district, maharashtra state, india.
ok ordnance factory @ khamaria - khamaria, jabalpur district, madhya pradesh state, india.

israel (31)

israel has supposedly manufactured ammunition under s, sa, , sb headstamps. might new or reloaded cases acquired spain underground workshops operated before independence, ammunition produced under contract spanish government, ammunition produced discreetly special customers (like embargoed south africa or devoutly muslim egypt), or sanitized ammunition hidden under spanish headstamps use israel s special operations forces.

ae eretz ayalon ( ayalon institute ) (1945-1948) - kibbutzim hill, rehovot, british mandate, palestine. underground munitions factory hidden in basement of community center had working bakery , laundry. copper casings acquired scrap dealers supposedly using make brass lipstick cases. made 9×19mm parabellum , 7.92×57mm mauser cartridges.
imi, tk, tkk, or ת צ (t aasiya tz vaeet, military industries ) israeli military industries - tel aviv, israel. manufactures cartridges, clips, , disintegrating belt links.

italy (15)

bpd bombrini-parodi-delfino (1912-1968/1988) - colleferro, rome, italy. chemical company made explosives , gunpowder. after world war expanded fertilizer , cement , after world war ii diversified industrial metalworking, textiles, , chemicals. in 1968 parodi-delfino family sold interest in bpd snia-viscosa. snia-viscosa merged bpd chemical division, renamed snia-bpd. snia-bpd later sold bpd holdings simmel difesa in 1988 , reorganized snia s.p.a.
gfl giulio fiocchi lecco - lecco, italy.
hb enrico barthe & cie (1883-1889) - milan, italy. company created front società franco italiana per la fabbricazione delle munizioni di caccia, da tiro, da guerra, ed affini (sfim, franco-italian corporation manufacture of hunting, target-shooting, warfare, , related munitions ). sfim italian sales division of société française des munitions (sfm, french association muntions ), munitions division of french firm gevelot. italian-registered firm created tax purposes. president of firm, henri barthe, sfm employee used owner of tarbes freres before merging sfm in 1883. french birth , nationality, recorded name enrico barthe in incorporation papers - although being italian citizen or of italian birth not prerequisites tax law loophole.
lbc leon beaux & cie. (1889-1932) - milan, italy. company created front sfim, italian sales division of sfm, munitions division of french firm gevelot. italian-registered firm created tax purposes. leon beaux, sfim salesman, took on henri barthe president of sfim in 1889 , front company renamed after him.
mcm munizioni e cartucce martignoni - genoa, italy.
pc or peca lo stabilimento pirotecnico dell esercito di capua ( army pyrotechnical factory @ capua ) (1856–present) - capua, caserta, campania, italy. founded part of sala degli artefici ( hall of arts ) during murat regime (1808-1815). cartridge factory , cannon foundry moved castello di lecce in 1856 , remained until after world war two, facilities moved elsewhere capua. since july, 2012 company manufactures 9x19mm nato, 5.56x45mm nato, , 7.62x51mm nato ammunition fiocchi.
smi società metallurgica italiana (italian metallurgical corporation) (1910-?) - campo tizzoro, san marcello pistoiese, pistoia, tuscany, italy.

japan (30)

p##s showa kinzoku ltd. - tokyo, japan. ## symbol stands last 2 digits of year of manufacture (p54s mean 1954 production). p prefix stands police contract ammunition.
te toyo seiki manufacturing company, limited - tokyo, japan.
ts or toyo toyo seiki manufacturing company, limited - japan.

lithuania (47)

l d linkaičiai dirbtuves ( workshop @ linkaičiai ) (1931-1940) - linkaičiai, lithuania. factory bought components belgian companies fabrique nationale , assembled them onsite 1931. weren t able make own components self-sufficiently until after 1937. headstamp had l @ 9 o clock position , d @ 3 o clock position; 2-digit year of production in 12 o clock position , batch number @ 6 o clock position.
ggg ab giraitės ginkluotes gamykla ( giraitės armament factory ) (2000–present) - giraitės km., uzliedziu sen., kaunas raj., kaunas county, lithuania. first manufactured 7.62×39mm soviet rounds in 2002, nato-standard 5.56×45mm nato , 7.62×51mm nato rounds in 2005 (earning nato interchangeability rating in 2006), , sporting .223 remington , .308 winchester rounds in 2012. headstamp has caliber @ 12 o clock, manufacturer s code @ 6 o clock, 2-digit year of production @ 3 o clock, , nato interchangeability symbol @ 9 o clock.

the netherlands (17)

ai artillerie - inrichtingen nv (1679-1983) - zaandam, netherlands. reorganized emz in 1983.
emz eurometaal zaandam nv (1983–present) - zaandam, netherlands.
nwm nederlandsche wapen-en munitiefabriek de kruithoorn nv (1948-1998) - s-hertogenbosch, netherlands

norway (25)

ayr a/s raufoss ammunisjonsfabrikker, raufoss, norway. divided several smaller ammunition , munitions companies: nammo, raufoss technologies, etc. ra headstamp.
bf bakelittfabrikken norway. headstamp has nato symbol (+) @ 12 o clock, 2-digit year @ 6 o clock, bf @ 9 o clock, , 2-digit batch code @ 3 o clock.

pakistan (76)

pof pakistan ordnance factories.

poland (43)

poland (1918-1939)

the cartridge manufacturer placed code @ 12 o clock position. government factories made ammunition military placed polish national eagle stamp instead. case manufacturer s code letter or numeral in 6 o clock position , 2 digit percentage of copper in case s brass placed @ 9 o clock position. last 2 digits of year of production placed @ 3 o clock position.

i wytwornia amunicji (wytw. am., ammunition factory ) no.1 (brest-litovsk).
ii wytwornia amunicji no.2 (poznań).
iii wytwornia amunicji no.3 (warsaw).
iv wytwornia amunicji no.4 (kraków).
v wytwornia amunicji no.5 (przemyśl).
f s fabrika amunicji skarzysko ( ammunition plant @ skarzysko) (1925-1939) - skarzysko-kamienna, poland. civilian ammunition brand manufactured p.w.u. fabryka amunicji.
w wojskowa wytwornia amunicji karabinowej (wwak, military rifle ammunition factory ), warsaw, poland. founded in 1921 using nationalized machinery liberated georg roth a.g. subsidiary factory in poznań (formerly posen). made bullets, primers, cases, , complete cartridges. closed in 1925 , moved skarzysko.
sk państwowa wytwornia uzbrojenia fabryka amunicji (p.w.u. fabryka amunicji, national armament factory - ammunition plant ) (1925-1939) - skarzysko-kamienna, poland. founded in 1925 moving wwak s machinery warsaw.
n norblin s.a.. ammunition factory founded in 1922 in warsaw. had metal foundry , cartridge production plant @ glownie made cartridge brass other firms well.
pk zaklady amunicyjne, pocisk, spolka akcyjna ( munitions works, bullet , joint stock company ), or z.a. pocisk s.a. ( ammunition works bullets joint stock company ). franco-polish joint stock company created in 1921 supply polish government ammunition. using machinery purchased hirtenberger of austria, cartridge plant set in warsaw , munitions plant set in rembertów. in 1932 nationalized polish government, consolidated production @ rembertow.


poland (1939-1945)


kam hasag eisen und metallwerke g.m.b.h., skarzysko-kamienna, poland. manufactured ammunition , small arms german military using slave labor. germans removed machinery in 1945, wrecked whatever before retreated.


poland (1945-1989)

the polish headstamp factory 21 either has factory number in oval or upside-down keep being confused hungarian , romanian factory 21s. extended other polish headstamps consistency.

(21) panstwowa fabryka amunicji skarzysko-kamienna (“state ammunition factory @ skarzysko-kamienna”) (1945-1948) - skarzysko-kamienna, poland. made small arms ammunition.
21 zakłady wyrobów metalowych skarzysko-kamienna ( skarzysko-kamienna metal products works ) (1948-1988) - skarzysko-kamienna, poland. made small arms ammunition , civilian mesko brand, along appliances , metalware. mesko acronym zakłady metalowe skarzysko kompania ( metal works company @ skarzysko ). merged predom appliance brand , renamed predom-mesko s.a. in 1975. separated again , renamed mesko s.a. in 1985.
21 general sikorski zakłady metalowe mesko ( general sikorski mesko metal works ) (1988-1993) - skarzysko-kamienna, poland. renamed expression of polish independence.
54 factory 54 - skarzysko-kamienna, poland. mesko s autocannon, rocket, , missile division. manufactured pistol ammunition.
343 factory 343 - krupski mlyn, silesia, poland. made propellants , explosives. briefly made pistol ammunition.
pfa panstwowa fabryka amunicji ( state ammunition factory ) (1945-1955?) - skarzysko-kamienna, poland. skarzysko-kamienna s headstamp until assigned factory numbers.
mesko marka export solidnosc knokurencyjnosc otwartosc ( brand export - reliability, competitiveness, , honesty ). skarzysko-kamienna, poland. civilian hunting , competitive shooting ammunition brand. in 2005 mesko joined phz bumar group, consists of 22 manufacturing companies privatized pol shi promyshlennost oborony (ppo, polish defense industry ).
nitron - nitron s.a. krupski mlyn, silesia, poland. privatized version of factory 343.

portugal (24)

ae arsenal exercito ( army arsenal ) - lisbon, portugal.
fa fabrica de armas ( arms factory ) - portugal.
fcpq fábrica de cartuchos e pólvoras quimicas ( cartridge & gunpowder factory ) - chelas, portugal.
fnm fabrica nacional de municoes de armas ligeiras ( national small arms munitions factory ) (1947-2001) - lisbon, portugal.
fpc fábrica de pólvora em chellas ( gunpowder factory in chelas ) - chelas, portugal.

romania (39)

cmc uzinele metalurgica di copsa mica si cugir ( metallurgical works of copsa mica @ cugir ) (1925-1944) - cugir, transylvania, romania. created in paris in 1925 investments romanian government, british firm vickers-armstrong, , privatized austrian firm udr co. (uzinele de fier si domeniile resita - resita iron works , domains ), production beginning in 1928. made both small arms , ammunition. czech firm cz-brno replaced vickers armstrong in 1934 , cmc began producing zb-30 machineguns , 7.92mm mauser ammunition in 1935. in 1939 czechs holdings in company taken on hermann göring. romania taken on german-sponsored right-wing coup in 1940 , german allies 1941 1944. cmc made 9×19mm parabellum , 7.92mm mauser ammunition , orița submachine gun.

serbia (73)

fomu fabryka oruzja municje, užice ( weapons , munitions factory - užice ), užice, serbia, yugoslavia.
pp, ppu, or ППУ prvi partizan užice ( first partizan [factory] @ užice ); užice, serbia.

singapore (32)

chj chartered industries of singapore (1967-2000) - singapore. headstamp used letter code date (o = 0, = 1, etc.; j used instead of ): first 2 letters last 2 digits of year , third letter b berdan primed . fi b 1969, gg b 1977, , jh 1998. when company switched boxer primed cartridges in 1980s, third letter dropped. chartered industries merged st kinetics in 2000.

republic of south africa (18)

south africa left commonwealth of nations in 1961 , re-admitted in 1994. remains republic.
note: manufacturer , last 2 digits of year on upper arc of stamp (e.g., wa 80 walter annexe, 1980). symbols on lower arc of stamp indicates caliber (7.7mm, 5.56mm or 7.62mm) , r# or r#m# indicate model (r) , mark (m) of cartridge, commonwealth l#a# stamp (e.g., r1m1 first model , second mark of cartridge). later, 2-digit year in 12 o clock position , digit in 6 o clock position on headstamp indicated load identification code.


a factory a, pretoria metal pressings. pretoria, south africa.
b factory b, pretoria metal pressings. kimberly, south africa.
la luther annexe, pretoria metal pressings. factory named stephanus fanie luther, former pmp employee. produced civilian ammo, there military production during high volume orders.
wa walter annexe, pretoria west factory, pretoria metal pressings. factory named allen walter, former pmp employee. produced military ammo.
pmp pretoria metal pressings - division of denel group.

south korea (37)

ka pusan government arsenal, pusan, republic of korea. manufactures military cartridges.
ps (poong-san), poongsan metal mfg. co. ltd. - angang ammunition plant, seoul, republic of korea. manufactures military cartridges.
psd (poong-san - dongrae), poongsan metal mfg. co. ltd. - dongrae ammunition plant, seoul, republic of korea. manufactures military cartridges.
pmc (precision-made cartridges), division of poongsan metal mfg. co. ltd. - seoul, republic of korea. manufactures commercial cartridges. note: m in headstamp looks upside-down w .

spain (33)

ensb, sb, or sb-t empresa nacional santa barbara de industrias militares ( saint barbara national military industries enterprise ) (?-2001); toledo, spain. later absorbed part of general dynamics in 2001.
fnp fábrica nacional de palencia ( national factory @ palencia ); palencia, spain. fnp @ 12 o clock , 4-digit year @ 6 o clock.
fn t fábrica nacional de toledo ( national factory @ toledo ); toledo, spain. factory famous making blades swords, knives, bayonets , razors. ammunition made @ separate cartridge plant @ factory complex. fn @ 12 o clock , t @ 6 o clock; first 2 digits of year (19) @ 9 o clock , last 2 digits @ 3 o clock. later reorganized empresa nacional santa bárbara de industrias militares, part of santa bárbara sistemas.
ps pirotecnia militar de sevilla ( military explosives factory @ seville ), seville, spain.
sbs santa bárbara sistemas ( saint barbara systems ) (2001–present); toledo, spain. new name empresa nacional santa barbara de industrias militares since absorbed general dynamics in 2001.

sweden (65)

amf stands ammunitionsfabrik ( ammunition factory ). used royal crown @ 12 o clock position, 2-digit year @ 9 o clock (tens) , 3 o clock (ones) positions, , location letter or number @ 6 o clock position. ammunition had 4-digit year first 2 digits (thousands , hundreds) @ 9 o clock , second 2 digits (tens , ones) @ 3 o clock.

k amf karlsborg - karlsborg, sweden.
m amf marieberg - marieberg,sweden.
h hirtenberg, austria. h in 12 o clock position , company headstamp (hp or kc) @ 6 o clock position.

native ammunition producers include:

ffv förenede fabriksverken - karlsborg, sweden.
n nordiska metallaktiebolaget - västerås, sweden. n @ 12 o clock position, 2-digit year @ 9 o clock (tens) , 3 o clock (ones) positions, , caliber @ 6 o clock position.
norma Åb norma projektilfabrik - amotfors, sweden.

foreign ammunition producers included deutschen waffen- und munitionsfabrik (dwm) of germany; hirtenberger patronen-, zündhütchen- und metallwarenfabrik a.g. (hp) , keller & co (kc or k&c) of austria; société française des munitions (sfm) of france; , valtion patruunatehdas (vpt) of finland.

turkey (27)

mke - makina ve kimya endüstrisi kurumu ( mechanical , chemical industry corporation ). munitions distributed in north america zenith quest international (zqi), owns commercial guardian ammunition (ga) brand. military ammunition corporation

warsaw pact manufacturers
soviet union

imperial russian letter code system (1860s 1928)


П factory p (st.petersburg cartridge factory) (1869-1918) - petrograd (renamed leningrad 1924 1990), russia. plant closed in 1918 , machinery moved facilities in simbirsk (renamed ulyanovsk in 1924) , podolsk.
t factory t (tula cartridge factory) (1880-1941) - tula, tula oblast, russia. designated factory 38 in 1928. plant closed in 1941 , machinery moved yuryuzan, chelyabinsk, russia new facility designated factory 38.
Л factory l (lugansk cartridge factory) (1895-1941) - lugansk, ukraine. redesignated factory 60 in 1928. plant closed in 1941 , machinery moved frunze, khirgizia, russia new facility designated factory 60.
c factory s (simbirsk cartridge factory) (1919-1924) - simbirsk (town renamed ulyanovsk in 1924), russia. briefly redesignated factory u in 1925.
П factory p (podolsk cartridge factory) (1920 1927) - podolsk, moscow, russia. initial headstamp used in 1920 first ППЗ (ppz) , later ПП (pp) podolskiy patronnyj zavod ( podolsk cartridge factory ). redesignated factory 17 in 1928. plant closed , machinery moved barnaul, altai krai, russia in 1941.
У factory u (ulyanovsk cartridge factory) (1925-1927) - ulyanovsk, ulyanovsk oblast, russia. redesignated ЗВ ( zv , zavod volodarskogo) in 1928.
ЗВ zv (zavod volodarskogo > factory [named for] volodarsky ) (1928 1941) - ulyanovsk, russia. redesignated factory 3 in 1928 used ЗВ ( zv ) headstamp until 1942.


soviet russian number code system (1928 1990s)


3 factory 3 (ulyanovsk machinery plant) (1942-?) - ulyanovsk, ulyanovsk oblast, russia. owned sapsan (sapsan > peregrine falcon ) ammunition brand.
7 factory 7 (amursk machine-building plant) - amursk, khabarovsk krai, russia. later reorganized in 1976 vympel state production association (vympel > pennant ). own golden tiger ammunition brand.
10 factory 10 (unknown) - manufactured ammunition during world war 2.
17 factory 17 (barnaul cartridge works) (1927–present) - barnaul, krasnogorsky district, altai krai, russia. own centaur , monarch ammunition brands.
38 factory 38 (yuryuzan state factory) (1942–present) - yuryuzan, chelyabinsk oblast, russia.
44 factory 44 - moscow, russia. laboratory used produce experimental munitions.
46 factory 46 (kuntsevsk cartridge works) (?-1941) - kuntsevsk, russia. plant closed in 1941 , factory s machinery , staff moved new facility in sverdlovsk designated factory 46.
46 factory 46 (sverdlovsk cartridge works) (1942-?) - sverdlovsk, sverdlovsk oblast, ural, russia.
54 factory 54 - nytva, nytvensky district, perm, russia.
60 factory 60 (frunze cartridge plant) (1942-1991) - bishkek, kyrgistan (formerly frunze, kirghizia).
188 factory 188 (klimovsk cartridge plant) (1934-1941) - klimovsk, podolsk urban okrug, moscow oblast, russia. plant closed in 1941 , factory s machinery , staff moved new facility in novosibirsk designated factory 188.
188 factory 188 (novosibirsk low voltage equipment plant) (1941–present) - novosibirsk, novosibirsk oblast, siberian federal district, russia. owned lve (low voltage equipment) ammunition brand.
270, ЛПЗ (lpz), lu, lcw factory 270 (lugansk cartridge works) (1943–present) - luhansk (formerly lugansk), luhansk oblast, ukraine. second lugansk ammunition plant founded in 1943. 270 headstamp used on military ammunition 1943 2008 , ЛПЗ (lpz, luganskij patronnyj zavod, russian > lugansk cartridge works ) 2008 present. lu headstamp (for luhansk, ukraine) used on commercial , contract ammunition red army standard. lcw headstamp has been used since 2002 on exported ammunition.
304 factory 304 (kuntsevo cartridge works) - kuntsevo district, zapadny administrative okrug, moscow, russia. second ammunition plant built in kuntsevo refounded between 1942 , 1944. kuntsevo integrated part of moscow in 1960.
529 factory 529 (novaya lyalya cartridge works) - novaya lyalya, novolyalinsky district, sverdlovsk oblast, russia.
539 factory 539 (tula arms plant) - tula, tula oblast, russia. second ammunition plant built in tula refounded in 1942/1944.
540 factory 540 - irkutsk, irkutsk oblast, siberia, russia.
541 factory 541 (chelyubinsk cartridge works) - chelyabinsk, chelyabinsk oblast, russia.
543 factory 543 - kazan, tatar autonomous soviet socialist republic, russia.
544 factory 544 - glazov, udmurt autonomous soviet socialist republic, russia.
545 factory 545 - chkalov, chkalov oblast, russia.
710 factory 710 (podolsk cartridge works) - podolsk, podolsk urban okrug, moscow oblast, russia. second ammunition plant built in podolsk refounded between 1942 , 1944.
711 factory 711 (klimovsk stamping plant) (1942/1944-?) - klimovsk, podolsk urban okrug, moscow oblast, russia. second ammunition plant built in klimovsk refounded between 1942 , 1944.

bulgaria (50)

bulgaria nato member. manufactures ammunition other nato partners.

((10)) factory 10 (1946–present) - kazanlak, bulgaria. manufactured ammunition , clips. double ring added around number not confused defunct russian factory 10 ammo plant. privatized arsenal.
b or bao durjava voenna fabrika ( state military factory ) (? - 1946) - kazanlak, bulgaria.

czechoslovakia

czechoslovakia divided czech , slovak republics in 1993.

czechoslovakia - pre-war (?-1940)


o sb o sellier & bellot - prague, vlašim, czechoslovakia. o s (often referred rosettes ) @ 3- , 9-o clock positions on headstamp , sb @ 12 o clock position.
s&b sellier & bellot - prague, czechoslovakia.
sbp sellier & bellot - prague - prague, czechoslovakia.
sbr sellier & bellot - riga - riga, latvia. satellite factory set sales northern europe , baltic region. later seized , nationalized soviet union.


czechoslovakia - cold war (1945-1990)


ps povazske strojarne ( factory @ povazska ) (1946-1952) - povazska bystrica, czechoslovakia.
zv zbrojova vlašim ( vlašim armory ) - vlašim, czechoslovakia. zbrojova vlašim nationalized name sellier & bellot plant in prague 1945 1990.

yugoslavia

11 factory 11 (prvi partizanki zavod ad uzice) (1948-1956) - uzice, yugoslavia (now serbia). cover headstamp briefly used ППУ. headstamp had code number @ 9 o clock, 5-point communist star @ 12 o clock, 2-digit year @ 3 o clock, , dot @ 6 o clock.
12 factory 12 (igman zavod ad konjic) (1952-1955) - konjic, yugoslavia (now bosnia-herzegovina). cover headstamp briefly used ИК. headstamp had code number @ 9 o clock, 5-point communist star @ 12 o clock, 2-digit year @ 3 o clock, , dot @ 6 o clock.
ИК, ik igman zavod ad konjic ( igman factory @ konjic ) - konjic, yugoslavia (now bosnia-herzegovina).
ППУ (ppu) prvi partizanki zavod ad užice ( first partisan ammunition plant) (1945–present) - užice, yugoslavia (now serbia).
ВТӠ (vtz) vojno teknicki zavod ( military technical institute ) (1853-1941; 1944-1992) - kragujevac, yugoslavia (now serbia). began cannon foundry , pyrotechnics laboratory in 1853. laboratory spun off manufacture munitions , pyrotechnics 1883 1941. production halted during world war ii 1941 1944 due german occupation , again briefly in 1991 during yugoslavian civil war. focused on artillery ammunition , explosives manufacture. headstamp had В @ 9 o clock, t @ 12 o clock , Ӡ @ 3 o clock, two-digit year @ 6 o clock.
МБЛ (mbl) milan blagojevic namenska ad lucani (“milan blajojevic memorial [plant] @ lucani ) (1949–present) - lucani, moravica, yugoslavia (now serbia). chemical plant manufactures propellants, primers, , explosives. named after serbian sports legend milan blagojević (also written milan blagojev or miloje blagojevic). МБЛ acronym found propellant supplier on cartridge packaging.

south american manufacturers
argentina (29)

the headstamp has caliber on upper arc. lower arc contains factory s initials flanked two-digit month on left side , last 2 digits of production year on right side (e.g., 03flb82 means march-fabrica militar frey luis beltran-1982).

flb fábrica militar fray luís beltran (military factory - brother louis beltran ) - san lorenzo, argentina. military supply , ammunition factory named after friar took care of general josé de san martín s wounded after battle of san lorenzo.
fm fábrica militar de cartuchos de san lorenzo (military cartridge factory @ san lorenzo) - san lorenzo, argentina.
sf fábrica militar de cartuchos de san francisco (military cartridge factory @ san francisco) - san francisco, argentina.

chile (52)

f. fábricas y maestranzas del ejército (famae) - santiago, chile.

paraguay

f d famae & dimabel. made in chile famae paraguayan armed forces armaments directorate (direccion de material belico - dimabel).

note: on headstamp, f in 9 o clock position , d in 3 o clock position; 2-digit year @ 6 o clock position , metric caliber (7.62×51mm, 9×19mm) @ 12 o clock position.
imp industrias militares de paraguay ( military industries of paraguay ), division of dimabel - piribebuy, paraguay (1988-1993; 1995–present). set fabrique national equipment , assistance; reformed , reorganized famae 1993 1995. manufactures small arms ammunition , owns yaguareté (guarani > jaguar ) civilian ammo brand.
mdrp ministerio de defencia, republica del paraguay ( ministry of defense, republic of paraguay ). made in france société française des munitions paraguayan military. ammunition headstamp seized before diverted south africa in violation of arms embargo.

venezuela

cavim compañía anónima venezolana de industrias militares ( venezuelan military industries limited company ) - caracas, venezuela. (1975–present)
ven ministerio de la defensa, servicio de armamento, arsenal y fábrica de municiones ( ministry of defense, armaments service, arsenal , munitions factory ) - caracas, venezuela.

african manufacturers
zimbabwe

z28 unknown factory - zimbabwe.
zi zimbabwe defense industries - harare, zimbabwe city, zimbabwe. headstamp has 2-digit production year @ 12-o clock , zi @ 6-o clock. sold surplus military ammunition under civilian cheetah brand through vector arms, salt lake city, utah, usa 1993 2005.

asian manufacturers
china

norinco (north industries corporation - beijing, people s republic of china. operates several state arsenals produce weapons , munitions both military , civilian markets. ammunition headstamp has arsenal number @ 12 o clock , last 2 digits of year of manufacture @ 6 o clock. following arsenals known exist before 1979.

11 state factory 11 - mudanjiang, heilongjiang province, people s republic of china.
31 or 031 state factory 31 - (commercial ammo packed in two-tone red-black box white lettering , norinco , china sports names in gold lettering.)
41 state factory 41
51 or 051 state factory 51
61 state factory 61 (long jiang special equipment company, ltd.) - harbin, heilongjiang province, people s republic of china.
71 state factory 71 - (commercial ammo packed in plain green box black lettering , norinco name , symbol in red lettering on white backing)
81 state factory 81

headstamps 1, 101, 111, 121, 131, 201, 211, 221, 141, 301, 311, 351, 391, 501 / 0501, 651, 661, 821, 846, 911, 964, 6201, 6202, 6203, 9121, , 9141 confirmed chinese, while 451, 671 , 946 unconfirmed. either subterfuge method conceal actual locations , numbers of chinese arsenals (e.g., 946 cover headstamp state factory 964) or designation annexes attached arsenal (i.e., 311 annex of state factory 11 or state factory 31).

121 heilongjiang north tool factory - mudanjiang, heilongjiang province, people s republic of china.
791 changjiang electric industry group co., ltd. - chongqing independent municipality, (formerly part of sichuan province), people s republic of china. former nationalist arsenal 10 @ chongqing. uses former chongqing arsenal double ring symbol on civilian sport ammunition.

indonesia (45)

p or pindad or pin pt pindad (persero), under management of pt bahana pakarya industrisi strategis (persero) - turen malang, west java, indonesia. formerly known pabrik senjata mesiu.

malaysia (34)

mal syarikat malaysia explosives ltd. - batu-arang, malaysia. winchester , radway green sub-contractor nato ammunition.

taiwan (?)

taiwan dates calculated 1912, year kmt came power, rather western anno domini / common era date system.

60a arsenal 60.
taa 205th arsenal, material production center, kaohsiung, taiwan. sub-contractor manufactures 5.56mm nato , 7.62mm nato cartridges general dynamics.




^ sharpe, philip b. complete guide handloading (1953) funk & wagnalls p.75
^ davis, william c., jr. handloading (1981) national rifle association p.21
^ tell-tale dash: james files , dented cartridge case allan eaglesham
^ [small-caliber ammunition identification guide (u) volume 1 (dst-1160g-514-81-vol1)
^ a
^ australian military headstamps (1939-1945)
^ hendon ammunition factory
^ davis, william c., jr. handloading (1981) national rifle association p.12
^ canadian encyclopedia dominion arsenal
^ shannon municipality history (page 2)
^ international ammunition association forum canadian di headstamp on 303 , 9x19 cases
^ canada companies info: canadian arsenals ltd.
^ cartridge headstamps canada
^ ayalon institute: kibbutzim hill yael zisling
^ iaa forums > south african wa headstamp 7.62 x 51
^ battle on bullets scott barancik. st. petersburg times. published april 12, 2007