Earliest date.
Yes, the earliest date I can find on my cases is a "96" (for 1896) on a 6-pdr made by RL, which also has a "I" stamped under it (for Mk.I?). However, 6-pdr Mk. III cases by Kynochs (which I presume are later) have no date stamp.
Some cases have a 4-digit year stamp, plus a full day-month-year stamp (loading date?).
Knowing the military authorities, there must have been an instruction issued at some point that all cases, whether made by contractors or the Government, should have the date stamped on, but when did this occur?
Does anyone have any British cases with dates earlier than 1896?
Roger.