WW1 Rudge Whityworth 303 headstamps
As a collector of 303 headstamps I checked what RW hstps I have. They are all Ball, R.W.15 Vll, R.16.W. VII (all serifs), R 16 W. Vll, R 16 W. VII (serif VII), R 17 W Vll, R 17 W VII (serif VII) and R 18. W VII (serif VII). Two of the early ones have an almost concave face on the head, probably a manufacturing fault.
It intrigues me regarding the dots and use of the serif VII which appear on most WW! ammunition. I presume it was to identify lot numbers, or as with RL to identify the factory or perhaps some manufacturing differing from normal or was it just to give future cartridge collectors something different to look for. Incidently, has anyone seen or have RW packaging of which they may like to show a scan.
Another cartridge I have which I believe is a scarce hstp is C.19.F3 VII.Z.
As a matter of interest, here in Australia in collecting circles, there seems to be a lot of C.17.F3, G.17.F3 and C.18.F3, G.18.F3 all VIIZ although clean looking,the powder is either wet or dried to a grey dust. From what I have heard, prior to the changeover to 7.62 from 303 for target shooting in the 60's a lot of WW1 ammunition was unearthed for use with deplorable results so this could be the reason why it is still around. When I first started rifle shooting we used mainly MF from 1952 - 59 and RG and GB 1949-56.
Hope that's not too much trivia. Les