Re. a query recently regarding differentiating Australian and New Zealand early 303 headstamps. This has generated some discussion over the years and I stand corrected on my assumptions.
The only Australian 303 Mark II so headstamped (1904) is CAC II C in a 3 x 120 degree layout and has a substantial rollover on the rim. The early Mark VI headstamped (1904) CAC VI C is the 3 x 120 layout with the rollover to the rim.
The New Zealand Mark II and Mark VI have a number of variations and are more commonly noted with a layout with "CAC" at 12 o'clock, "II" or "VI" at about 5 o'clock and the "C" at 7 o'clock. The rim has less of a rollover and is more of a light chamfer. Books by Barry W. Garcia have all NZ headstamps illustrated.
The early unstamped Australian Mark II cartridges also have this reduced rollover to the rim.
The only Australian 303 Mark II so headstamped (1904) is CAC II C in a 3 x 120 degree layout and has a substantial rollover on the rim. The early Mark VI headstamped (1904) CAC VI C is the 3 x 120 layout with the rollover to the rim.
The New Zealand Mark II and Mark VI have a number of variations and are more commonly noted with a layout with "CAC" at 12 o'clock, "II" or "VI" at about 5 o'clock and the "C" at 7 o'clock. The rim has less of a rollover and is more of a light chamfer. Books by Barry W. Garcia have all NZ headstamps illustrated.
The early unstamped Australian Mark II cartridges also have this reduced rollover to the rim.