Anybody here who can read Imperial Russian case side powder charge markings? I recently got a 57x422R Hotchkiss case that has been shortened and mouth crimped to a blanc cartridge.
Finland re-used these guns and cases until 1970's as blancs for salute on a fortress outside Helsinki. Later on a lot of spent cases were given as gifts by the army and they are not too scrace here. However Finnish charge markings are totally different. Thus I wonder if these markings are original for Imperial Russian blanc round charge? If I understand it correctly down right could be year 909r. The case headstamp is from 1907 and I don't see any reload markings on it - so, could it be original?
Finland re-used these guns and cases until 1970's as blancs for salute on a fortress outside Helsinki. Later on a lot of spent cases were given as gifts by the army and they are not too scrace here. However Finnish charge markings are totally different. Thus I wonder if these markings are original for Imperial Russian blanc round charge? If I understand it correctly down right could be year 909r. The case headstamp is from 1907 and I don't see any reload markings on it - so, could it be original?