Unknown 1943 9mm

[xPANZERx]

Can any one tell me any thing about this round, I think its British/Commonwealth but I dont know any thing else. manufacturer is R crows foot ? or B crows foot ?

 

[Big Dave]

Hi Panzer yes its a British 9mm Mk1z ,the headstamp is B crows foot E ,which is ROF Blackpole [near Worcester ] it began making 9mm in November 1941 and continued till late 1945

 

[Andysarmoury]

Hi, It Looks like R^L, so could be Royal Laboratory Woolwich they made ammo from 1880to 1954 thats all i know.
Cheers
Andy

 

[Andysarmoury]

Hi Panzer yes its a British 9mm Mk1z ,the headstamp is B crows foot E ,which is ROF Blackpole [near Worcester ] it began making 9mm in November 1941 and continued till late 1945

Just looked at it again and recon you are right Dave.

 

[TonyE]

ROF Blackpole was the site of the old WWI Government Cartridge Factory 3. In 1919 it was closed down and let to Cadbury's on the condition it could be re-activared in time of war.(which of course happened)

The earliest pre-production 9mm made there in mid 1941 had a four position headstamp with the 4 o'clock position left blank, possibly for "IZ" when the round had been standardised. Unringed primer with no annulus colour (Picture 1). When production started in late 1941 the headstamp had changed to the normal three position type with ringed in primer and purple annulus. (Picture 2)

In WW2, Royal Laboratory Woolwich only ever made some experimental pre-production 9mm in 1941. There were three types made:

Plain brass case drill, headstamp simply "R/|\L"
Copper washed drill, headstamp "R/|\L 41"
Ball, headtamp "R/|\L 41 9M/M"

I have all three but need to take photos if anyone is interested.

Regards
TonyE