PUBLIC Forums => Public Forums => Technical Assistance => Topic started by: bsaidel on September 11, 2008, 10:17:05 AM

Title: Head stamp identified need
Post by: bsaidel on September 11, 2008, 10:17:05 AM

Hello,
In the course of archaeological excavations at site in the Negev desert, Israel, we bagged and tagged a cartridge (see attached photos).  Although this cartridge has been cleaned I am not able to read the headstamp. I was wondering if anyone in the forum could read the headstamp. I believe that this cartridge is for a .303 Lee-Enfield. Any help in its identification [attach=#]would be appreciated. Lastly, could anyone recommend a good source of information for the use of Lee-Enfields by the Egyptian army?
Many Thanks.
Benjamin

Title: Re: Head stamp identified need
Post by: Axel Manthei on September 11, 2008, 11:00:01 AM

Benjamin,

use some rubber (used for pencil) to clean the head stamp.
Maybe this will show up a bit more of it.

Greetings

Axel

Title: Re: Head stamp identified need
Post by: bsaidel on September 11, 2008, 11:01:55 AM

Hi Axel,
Thanks for the suggestion. I know it is rough shape.
Thanks
Benjamin

Title: Re: Head stamp identified need
Post by: Charles Clow on September 11, 2008, 11:49:57 AM

Tabasco sauce is an option . . . no I'm not kidding.

CMC

Title: Re: Head stamp identified need
Post by: Bob Shem on September 11, 2008, 12:21:56 PM

A coworker of mine is a retired US Marine who specializes in Middle Eastern languages and currently moonlights as an Intelligence Translator.

He took a look and didn't see anything he could read.  He'd like to see it cleaned up a bit more.

Title: Re: Head stamp identified need
Post by: bsaidel on July 03, 2009, 05:18:43 PM

Update
Attached is a photograph of the headstamp after I cleaned it with lemon juice and tobasco sauce. 
THe head stamp appears to read:
K10
VII

From what I have found on the internet, K could refer to Kynoch in the United Kingdom. Does the "10" refer to 1910?  Does anyone know how to determine when this cartridge was manufactured?
Thanks Benjamin

Quote from: bsaidel on September 11, 2008, 10:17:05 AM

Hello,
In the course of archaeological excavations at site in the Negev desert, Israel, we bagged and tagged a cartridge (see attached photos).  Although this cartridge has been cleaned I am not able to read the headstamp. I was wondering if anyone in the forum could read the headstamp. I believe that this cartridge is for a .303 Lee-Enfield. Any help in its identification (Attachment Link) would be appreciated. Lastly, could anyone recommend a good source of information for the use of Lee-Enfields by the Egyptian army?
Many Thanks.
Benjamin

Title: Re: Head stamp identified need
Post by: Axel Manthei on July 04, 2009, 04:41:44 AM

Benjamin,

the bullet type VII (7) ball came into being in 1910.
K is definitely Kynoch.
K10 is not a know manufacturer number, so the two digits are very likely a year abbrevation.
1910 seems to be VERY early... Could it be a 16 or 18?

Greetings

Axel

Title: Re: Head stamp identified need
Post by: Bill Wheatley on July 04, 2009, 06:17:28 AM

Axel,

I agree, that looks like an 8 to me.

Bill

Title: Re: Head stamp identified need
Post by: bsaidel on July 04, 2009, 03:12:14 PM

Hello Axel and Bill
Thanks for taking a look at the headstamp.  I agree with, the 0, looks more like an 8.
Best wishes,
Benjamin