Topic: Unknown 12 Gauge headstamp

[Chris Pieterse]

I am after some more information regarding the headstamp depicted in the attached image of a 12 gauge shotshell. Only the brass head of the shotshell has been submitted with, what appears to be, remnants of a blue plastic hull. Can anyone please perhaps help with a possible manufacturer or even country of manufacture? 

Kind Regards,
Christiaan J.S. Pieterse
Forensic Firearm Examiner - Firearms I/D & Armoury Team
Australian Federal Police
Tel +61(0) 2 62233088  Ext 163088  Fax +61(0) 2 62233270

[Ashely Northcutt]

We have 12GA beanbags as well as copper/clay breeching shotshells all with the 12 star headstamp. All of ours have clear hulls. Box says "DEFENSE TECHNOLOGY CORPORATION OF AMERICA AN ARMOR HOLDINGS INC CO. PART#3207 DESC 12 GA DRAG STABILIZED".



http://www.defense-technology.com/pdfs/specs/Drag%20Stabilized%20Round.pdf



 
Per their website:
Defense Technology U.S. Customer Service
1855 South Loop, Casper, WY 82601
Phone: (877) 248-DTFL (3835)
Fax: (877) 984-TECH (8324)

International Customer Service
1855 South Loop, Casper, WY 82601
Phone: (307) 235-2136
Toll Free: (877) 248-3835
Fax: (307) 235-9915

[Dan Alessio]

My understanding is the 12 Star headstamp is Fiocchi manufacture.  I don't have any documentation of that at the moment.  Hopefully Axel can help out with this.

Dan

[Charles Clow]

International Customer Service
1855 South Loop, Casper, WY 82601
Phone: (307) 235-2136
Toll Free: (877) 248-3835
Fax: (307) 235-9915

I grew up in Casper . . . not that anyone cares  .

I'm sure you could give them a call and see who produced their shotshells.

CMC

[Aaron T. Fullerton]

I believe what you have may be Starline Brass.  They manufacture new shotgun shells and cartridge brass for reloaders and sell in bulk to small manufacturing companies. I have seen Estate Cartridge shotgun shells and Polyshok shotgun shells with this headstamp in 12 gauge. Ashley has found another one.  I'm sure there are more out there.  They sell to anyone and just put that companies markings on the side.  Unfortunately, this headstamp alone won't help you much in identifying who marketed this particular shell.  

Aaron

[Charles Clow]

I don't think that Starline makes shotshells but I could be wrong.

http://www.starlinebrass.com/

CMC

[Aaron T. Fullerton]

You could be right Charles.  All this is based on a vague memory of the Estate Cartridge rep telling me they bought their shells from Starline when I saw that headstamp at their factory years ago.  I've seen it multiple other places since and assumed that Starline did all of it. Could be a bad assumption.

On a side note, I just noticed that the 2005 AFTE Commerative Shotshell from Indianapolis has that same headstamp.  Do our Australian AFTE members have an alibi?    It is marked Mfg. By S.W.A.N. Sports 515-955-1053.  Might be another source to see where the shotshells are produced.

[Charles Clow]

Good catch on the Indy AFTE shotshell.  I bet Monturo or Hamby could tell us who makes the shotshell or at least they may be able to find out.

CMC

[Aaron T. Fullerton]

Turns out I WAS wrong.  Wow, I'm not sure this has happened before.  So this is what it feels like.    I got curious and called Polyshok who has worked with us some in the past and has the 12 Star headstamp.  They said that their shells are made by Fiocchi.  Dan was right. Hope that helps some.

Aaron

[Axel Manthei]

We have this headstamp on the 2005 Indy "Total Windowshell" cartridge  made by S.W.A.N Sporting Collectables. They can be contacted at +1(515)955 1053 / +1(515)571 8444 (cell phone)

Also we have seen it on shells from "Polywad Shotgun Shell" (see www.polywad.com)

Keep in mind that even big manufacturer often buy the shot shell cases from other sources.
When I visited Fiocchi I have seen cases with headstamps from Dynamit Nobel, DanArms, Winchester
 ... and even Fiocchi. 

Cheddite is another big player in the shot shell case market.
They have a headstamp with 12 * 12 * 12 * 12 * in different orientations.
The five pointed / outlined star (*) they use is the same as the one on your headstamp.

Today the headstamps on shotshells are pretty generic.....

Axel

[Chris Pieterse]

Guys,
Thanks heaps for your time, effort and invaluable information. I did have the information about S.W.A.N.(using our CartWin Pro program) but the image I had, had an "S" on the primer. Not a big difference though but enough to go abroad. Was only testing the water to see who knew about the 2005 AFTE Commerative Shotshell??? Only joking..
I do agree headstamps nowadays does not necessarily indicates manufacturer. Pretty interesting what you can have as a headstamp when the order is big enough.

Cheers,
CP

[SWANEEDB]

If further info is needed or wanted on this "unknown 12ga headstamp" or the 2005 AFTE commerative shotshell I can supply it--I made them--I am SWAN sports. I'm surprised Mr Hamby or Geo Kass didn't chime in on this subject, they know me from cartridge shows. Cheers, Dave

[Ian Bruce]

Chris,

That headstamp was also used by Ballantines in Deer Park, Victoria, for some of their Champion lines of 12-ga shotshells, with as far as I can tell low "brass" heads.  These came in light blue, dark blue, as well as red and black.  If you ring Ballantines, they would probably tell you from where they sourced those shotshells.  I also have some Defense Technology shotshells with the same h/s.

regards

Ian B.