I just picked up two LJG 18 casings out of Russia. I could not find any photos of this type of casing on the site, so I thought I would share. Are these things common in Europe?
It is interesting that they appear to be from two different manufacturers, and neither one has a date on the casing. it is also interesting that the LJG 18 stamp appears to be a secondary operation to the original marking in both cases. The primers do come out, and I never thought to ask this question before, "Are German primers smooth on the bottom when they are unfired?" I am currently under the assumption that the dimple in the middle is the impact mark from the firing pin. US cannon firing pins have rather large pins compared to these if that is true. I would think that the German weapon firing pins would wear out quickly impacting on steel with such a needle like point
- even if they were hardened steel.
It is interesting that they appear to be from two different manufacturers, and neither one has a date on the casing. it is also interesting that the LJG 18 stamp appears to be a secondary operation to the original marking in both cases. The primers do come out, and I never thought to ask this question before, "Are German primers smooth on the bottom when they are unfired?" I am currently under the assumption that the dimple in the middle is the impact mark from the firing pin. US cannon firing pins have rather large pins compared to these if that is true. I would think that the German weapon firing pins would wear out quickly impacting on steel with such a needle like point
- even if they were hardened steel.