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.450 Ball and .380 Revolver

relbut

Well-Known Member
A couple of Australian made cartridges. The .450 Ball is the term used for the 45 ACP and was used to feed the Thompson submachine Gun. The cartridge was made at Footscray (Factory No.2 MG) in 1943/44 and as the RAAF continued to use the Thompson into the 1960's further lots were made in 1955/56 (Still Factory No.2 but reverted to MF identifier). Although the box is dated Jan 1956 the contents are dated 55. The headstamp drawings are of the Ball rounds made 1943 - 56.
The other packets are of .380 Revolver. The first being made at Rocklea (MQ) using boxes with MQ overprinted on MF (who only made .380 Revovler cartridges in 1941). The second is of cartridges made at Factory No.2 MG in 1944. The headstamp drawings are of the box contents.

450 Ball.jpg Hstps 38 Rev 450 Ball.jpg 380 Rev Overprint.jpg 380 Revolver MG 44.jpg
 
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