I have a Canadian .303 blank that has been blackened on the lower 17mm of the case. The head stamp reads:
12oclock - DAC (with broad arrow inside)
9 & 3oclock - 19 12
6oclock - VI
It has a flat 6 point "pie" crimp to close the case mouth, not the typical rose crimp seen on most .303 blanks. The flat crimp style seems to be common in Canada for the period, 1908 - 1912 at least.
What is unusual and a bit puzzling is the blackened base on the cartridge case. This is not a grenade launching blank (way to early) and I do have a second example of this blank without the lower portion stained black.
Would anyone know why it is blackened as I have not been able to find it in any of my reference books.
12oclock - DAC (with broad arrow inside)
9 & 3oclock - 19 12
6oclock - VI
It has a flat 6 point "pie" crimp to close the case mouth, not the typical rose crimp seen on most .303 blanks. The flat crimp style seems to be common in Canada for the period, 1908 - 1912 at least.
What is unusual and a bit puzzling is the blackened base on the cartridge case. This is not a grenade launching blank (way to early) and I do have a second example of this blank without the lower portion stained black.
Would anyone know why it is blackened as I have not been able to find it in any of my reference books.