40MM Bofors case lacking headstamp?

[hicky1300]

Hi All
Got given a 40mm Bofors case by a colleague yesterday.
At the risk of sounding ungrateful I wasnt expecting much until I saw it had no headstamp?
Usual US M38A1 struck primer dated 1943 fitted - but no headstamp

Never seen a finished/used WWII case without a headstamp before now - is this usual?
Thanks in advance

 

[flak18]

I see lots of WW2 105mm US cases without headstamps. They relied on the stencilling on the cases for identification.

 

[hicky1300]

OK Flak18 - I have seen lots of US cases with both headstamps & stencilling & this case is good & clean with no evidence of stencilling at all.
I also see lots of cases here in Belgium of various calibers & have yet to see any with no headstamp?
Maybe in the later part of WWII they decided headstamps were too costly to bother with? I have a later case with an earlier primer?
Either way i will add to my `Oddities` part of my collection!!

 

[Hoeksel]

I have several US cases without headstamp, 37 mm / 40 m / 105 mm and maybe more types.....

 

[Falcon]

I also used to have a US 40mm Bofors with no headstamp. Only the primer was stamped.