Ammunition and Ordnance Treatise

AN ILLUSTRATED TREATISE ON AMMUNITION AND ORDNANCE

British 1880-1960

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Hotchkiss, Gardner and Nordenfelt Guns with Associated Ammunition

Artillery, Fuzes, Bombs, Small Arms, Rockets, Pyrotechnics, Grenades, Mortars, Labels, Packaging, Boxes, Naval Guns, Cannon, Uniforms, Historical Imagery and Illustrations, all from Contemporary Military Publications

another "content over style" web page from Steve Johnson Cyberheritage

The aim of this reference page is to provide accurate colour/marking details to historical researchers, re-enactors and film makers as well as bonafide collectors of militaria. To this end it should be pointed out that basically ordnance is designed for the mostpart to kill and that any tampering with live ammunition is a deadly and illegal game. Ammunition no matter how old is still potentially lethal. The bonafide student of ammunition and ordnance can locate inert/dummy/display items with patience, by sifting through the ads in collectors magazines and attending militaria fairs. It should be noted that "Practice" and "Training" rounds are not inert and can hold a lethal loading.

No correspondence will be entered into on any subject relating to live ammunition.

From time to time the colours of the items shown to represent the item will be noted to be wrong, this is because the original I scanned was like this, the false colour on the original artwork being used to highlight constructional details, by and large the external colours tend to be correct - as many illustrations came from identification books - it is the internal ones that are a little more "creative."

Such identification books can be found in bric-a-brac shops.....one of the books used here was bought for £5 only!! Local libraries can often get them for you on "inter library loans"...ask for "Treatise on Ammunition, or Ordnance"..this has been the source of 40% of the images on this page, my library across the road...2 minutes walk!!!

It is hoped that many of the sectioned illustrations will print out well. This is by no means a complete listing. Most images are good to excellent, one or two are rather lacking, but have been included as someone may find them of value. Exact dating when known is hopefully included. Where an image is repeated it is because it is the same item but from a different original. Some originals show mutilation which you may be able to remove in a photo programme, this was done by units when an item was deleted from stores. Most undated items are 1880`s to 1920`s, the military hates to throw anything away!! Some are in superb colour.

Note Q.F. = Quick Fire, B.L.= Breech Loader, M.L.= Muzzle Loader, R.M.L.= Rifled Muzzle Loader, B.E.= Base Ejecting, A.P.= Armour Piercing, S.A.P.= Semi Armour Piercing, AA= Anti Aircraft, D.A.= Delayed Action, S.A.=Small Arms, S.A.A.= Small Arms Ammunition, H.E.=High Explosive

ARTILLERY / NAVAL GUNNERY / CANNON

7inch Shrapnel 6inch Pallaiser Shot Case Shot 64pr or 80pr Distinguishing Marks on Shot and Shell.........Empty c1922..........Filled.............Empty............Empty / Filled c1906.........Filled c1922 Wrought Iron R.M.L. 12inch, 35 ton Gun Shell Unloading Hole 7in Double R.M.L. c1872 9in Shell for 12 ton gun c1873 12inch Pallaiser Shot for 25 ton Gun....similar 4.7inch Parachute Star Shell c1933 4in? Star Shell "typical" 6in shell "typical" 8in shell c1934 Typical Shell Stencilling 4.7in Star Shell 8in H.E. Shell S.A.P. with cap 8in gun Mk IB 4.7in Gun on test mounting Shell 4.7in S.A.P. Shell B.L., A.P. with cap for 15in gun Mk XIIA Shell B.L. Common Pointed with Ballistic Cap for 6in Gun Mk XXIB 8in 12.5 ton B.L. Armstrong Gun on Elswick Hydro-Pneumatic Disappearing Carriage 12pr Shrapnel Shell c1918 4.7in B.E. Smoke Shell c1943 4in Star Shell c1943 typical B.L. High Explosive Shell c1943 1in Aiming Rifle Round 40mm Shell Q.F. H.E. (Bofors) 40mm Q.F. Practice, Tracer 20mm Ammunition types 4.7in H.E. Marker Shell c1943 Shell Stencilling..........1943.............1933..... 4.7in S.A.P. Heavy Mk V A c1943 Shell B.L. A.P. with Cap 15in c1933 Shell Q.F. S.A.P. 5.25in AK Mk II C.T. [marking round] Shell K Mk IB N.T. for 8in Gun c1943 Shell B.L. A.P. with Cap for 15in Gun Mk XIIA c1933 6in Shell Lyddite with Night Tracer Shell B.L. H.E. for 6in Gun Mk XII AQNT c1943 S.A.P. Shell and Smoke Marker c 1943 R.M.L. Shells 12pr Shrapnel 12pr Shrapnel..detail 4in Para Illuminating Shell 4.7in Star Shell c1933 Sectioned Star Shell

The following are generally mid 1940`s to late 1950`s

Markings Naval H.E. Typical Practice Projectile Markings Typical Markings on Smoke Shell Markings foe H.E. Shell - Land Service Typical Markings H.E. Shell - Land Service Typical Markings on Miscellaneous Projectiles Marks on Projectiles to Denote Special Features......and similar

CARTRIDGES, CASES AND CHARGE BAGS

The following are generally mid 1940`s to late 1950`s

Q.F. Cartridge Base Stampings Igniters for B.L. Cartridges B.L. Cartridges B.L. Cartridges, Blank and Drill Stencils at Base of Q.F. Cartridges Stencils on Separate Loading Q.F. Rounds......and another........and another Separate Loading Q.F. Rounds - Incremental Charges Blank & Clearing Charges Typical Stencil and Markings -Land Service

ANTI-AIRCRAFT AMMUNITION ("AAA"or "TRIPLE A")...including Rockets

Schermuly Rocket, Parachute Barrage Wire (AA) c1940`s.......1........2.........3... Z -Rocket 3inch....early AA rocket.....motor unit......H.E. head.......1............2.............

Schermuly Rocket, Parachute Barrage Wire (AA) c1940`s....unretouched original artworks 1...........2............3.............wire / parachute container

.....different and unknown variant of above Bomb unit and Rocket Wire / Parachute Canister for Barrage Rocket

2pr Shell "Pom-Pom"

FUZES and GAINES

Pettman`s General Service Fuze `E` Time Fuze for B.L. (Breech Loader) Boxer 20second Wood Time Fuze for B.L. (about 1895)....similar......similar........similar............similar R.L. Percussion Fuze Fuze Time No. 206, Mk I "Metal Fuzes" Gaine No9 Mk II Z Base Percussion Fuze, Large No16 D Mk IV N Fuze, Percussion, Base, Medium, No.12, Mk XI -metal Fuze Time No. 198 Mk II Fuze Time and Percussion No. 93 Mk I 15second Wood Time Fuze M.L. Fuze Percussion, Delayed Action, with Cap, No. 44, Mk IV Fuze Percussion D.A. 240 Fuze Percussion Direct Action Impact No. 45P Fuze D.A. Impact No. 131, Mk VI Time Fuze No. 211 and again but different

The following are generally mid 1940`s to late 1950`s

Typical Fuze Identification - Navy Typical Fuze Identification - Land ......and similar

VENT PIECES

Tube, Vent, Sealing Percussion Mk VI Vent Piece Mk VII Percussion (in colour) Tube, Vent, Percussion, .5inch MkV Tube, Vent, Electric, .5inch MkX Last two in black and white...1........2....

PRIMERS

Primer percussion, No.9 Mk I Primer Q.F. Cartridges Primer Percussion & Electric No. 9 & No. 14

Tracers

Tracers internal and external

The following are generally mid 1940`s to late 1950`s

Tracer Symbols for Projectiles

SMALL ARMS

.303 Ball Mk VII .455 Revolver types of .303 the .303 c1920`s

The following are generally mid 1940`s to late 1950`s

.5 Browning S.A. .303 identification incl. Rifle Grenade cartridge 7.62mm S.A.A. Typical Identification Marks of S.A.A. Typical Identification of .22 and .310 S.A.A. Early N.A.T.O. bullet symbol Early N.A.T.O. symbols for S.A.A. packaging Early N.A.T.O. Special Symbols for S.A.A.

AIRCRAFT BOMBS (AND PISTOLS...[fuzes])

500lb Aircraft Bomb c1943 250lb H.E. S.A.P. Mk V Aircraft Bomb c1940 Practice Bomb Fuze Percussion, Aircraft Bomb, Tail No.30 Mk III various Pistols

The following are generally mid 1940`s to late 1950`

Aircraft Bomb Markings Aircraft Practice Bomb Markings

MORTARS

4.2in Smoke Mortar c1942 2in Mortar Bomb c 1945 3in Mortar Bomb c 1945 4.2in Mortar Bomb c 1945 Distinguishing Marks for Mortar Bombs 1920`s 2in Markings c1944 3in Markings c1945

NAVY MORTARS....often anti-diver / "frogmen" Holman Projector Illuminating No.2 MkI Holman Projector H.E. 4in 10lb Mortar...and fuze

The following are generally mid 1940`s to late 1950`s

Typical Markings for 3in Mortar, H.E. and Smoke Bursting Typical Markings for 3in Mortar, Colour Smoke, Screening Smoke and Sky Trail Typical Markings for 3in Mortar, Practice and Drill 6.5in A.V.R.E. (Flying Dustbin).......and similar Typical Markings for 4.2in Mortar Typical Markings for 2in Mortar, Illuminating and Drill Typical Markings for 2in Mortar, H.E. & Practice Markings for 4.2in Mortar, Drill Mortar Propelling Charges Markings on 2in Mortar

GRENADES

No. 69 Mk I Grenade Grenade No. 36M MkI (Mills Bomb) No. 77 Smoke Grenade......and different view No. 73 Anti-Tank Grenade

PYROTECHNICS

Fog Detonator ( fog signal ) Candle Smoke White Mk I Hand Flare & Cartridge, Signal Red 1in Mk XIV Flame Float Delay MkI 1.5in Signal Cartridge 1in Signal Cartridge Fog Detonator (fog signal)

The following are generally mid 1940`s to late 1950`s

Cartridge Signal, 1in Mk XII & Cartridge Signal, Red 1.5in Mk VII Signal Cartridges Photo Flash, Radar Echo and Smoke Puff Cartridges various Signal Cartridges various Ground Signals One and Double Star Signals Distress, Emergency, Illuminating Ground Signals / Airfield Locating Hand Flare - Light Long / Short & Projectile Signal for 3in Mortar Thunderflash, Aircraft Photo Flash, Bomb Incendiary etc Chinese Cracker Mk I and Portfire Friction Mk 2 Puff, Powder, Safety Matches, Thunderflash Mk 2 N2 & Mk 8

ANTI-SUBMARINE

The following are generally mid 1940`s to late 1950`s

Hedgehog!! A / S Mortar & Rope Cutter Markings on Torpedo and Depth Charge

ROCKETS.........un-rotated projectiles to you!

Rocket Signal 1lb Mk III c1920`s Rocket Signal 1lb Service and Rocket Target Practice 1lb c1945 Rocket Signal 1lb Red c1946 1lb Service Rocket Rocket, Target, Practice 1lb Mk II Rocket, Line Carrying, Schemuly, 2lb Mk I 2in Rocket Flare c1943 Boxer Line Rocket Boxer Two Stage Rocket Hale Rocket Late 19th Century Rockets, Light, Sound Schermuly Line Rocket......part1.......part2..... Boxer Line Rocket Boxer Line Rocket (2) Rocket Friction Tube

The following are generally mid 1940`s to late 1950`s

Rocket Motors 3inch...and similar plus 5inch Buoyant Rocket, Line-Carrying No.1 & 2 & Rocket Line-Carrying, Schemuly 2lb Rocket, Signal 1lb Red or Green various Service Rockets 3.5in Rocket Naval Rocket Heads Rocket Heads R.A.F........and similar

PATHFINDER AND POSITION FINDING STORES (P.F.F. Stores)

"Hooded" Aerial Illuminating Flare Tracer Unit for Bomb MkI...and in section Skymarker Flare......and in section Flare No.1, Mk I, green with red stars No1, Mk I Green Flare Clustering arrangement of 4.5in aircraft flares.....body unit........components A......components B...........group fuzing system............air pressure delay/time fuze (all c1944) note remark on Hitler "Fuhrer" stencilled on casing

HOTCHKISS, GARDNER AND NORDENFELT GUNS

HOTCHKISS GUN Ammunition Ammunition and Aiming Tube Breech Fuze, Percussion, Base Mk IV Hotchkiss 3pr Q.F. Hotchkiss 9pr Q.F. Hotchkiss Gun and Mount Hotchkiss 9pr Q.F. Gun on Naval Recoil Mounting Hotchkiss System

.45 GARDNER GUN.........1.............2.........c1891

NORDENFELT GUN 1in Steel Round Mk VI NORDENFELT GUN 4-Barrel... 1in Nordenfelt Gun Mk I & II 1in Nordenfelt Gun Mk III Firing Pin 1in Nordenfelt Gun Mk I &II 1in Nordenfelt Gun Mk III (all images c1894)

NORDENFELT GUN 5-Barrel Gun, carriage by hand in Naval Carriage mounted in ship`s Top with Field Carriage and Limber Trail and Tripod Stand carried by hand

NORDENFELT GUN 4-Barrel 1in Anti-Torpedo Boat Gun and front view

NORDENFELT GUN 2-Barrel Gun 1in Gun on a Naval Carriage and front view

NORDENFELT GUN 10-Barrel Gun on board ship

NORDENFELT GUN - AMMUNITION TYPES

SPECIMENS OF AIMING TUBE / 1in Ammunition suitable for use in Nordenfelt Gun....1........2.........3....dated 1882

PACKAGING, LABELS, BOXES & SYMBOLS

Group and Government Explosive Labels Distinguishing Marks for S.A. Boxes Red Label .303 S.A.A. for R.A.F. Synchronised Guns Magazine Case More Magazine Cases Powder Cases Clarkson`s Cases and 8in Charge in paper wrapper Air Craft Carrier Catapult Ammunition and Stores Various Ammunition Boxes q.f. 4.7in, 4in, 2pr .5in S.A. Box Label from packet Gardner or Gatling Gun 1882 S.A.A. (original is a dirty brown paper wrap sheet) Label from 6pr Hotchkiss Rounds .303 S.A.A. Box ......and similar Label from M.L. 9in Charge Bag c1890 Label from Martini-Henry Carbine 1882 S.A.A. (original is a dirty brown paper wrap sheet) Label Q.F. 4in Practice Fixed Ammunition Label for Special .303 R.A.F. Ammunition Label from box end of Special .303 R.A.F. Ammunition Special R.A.F. "Red Label" .303 Ammunition Label for Small Arms Armour Piercing Ammunition Label for .303 G Mk II Tracer S.A.A. Marks / Labels for S.A. Boxes Label for R.A.F. "Red Label" Special Ammunition Label for .45 Ball, Revolver Ammunition R.A.F. Special Ammunition Label Label for .303 H Mk Iz Rifle Grenade Cartridges - Ballistite Filled B.L. Cartridges 2pr Box 4.7in Q.F. Box another 4.7 Q.F. Box S.A. Boxes Q.F. Boxes various Ammunition Packaging Packing Label for Tubes, Quill, Friction, Short Group 1 Explosives Label Group 3 Explosives Label Government and Group Explosives Labels R.A.F. Special Ammunition Label for Signal Cartridge 1in Mk V. T Label for Signal Cartridge 1.5in Mk I. T Magazine Case Symbol - 1in Aiming Rifle Stores

The following are generally mid 1940`s to late 1950`s

Filling Station Seal Typical Naval Contents and Sealing Labels Typical contents, sealing and batch labels, Land & Air Typical Government and Explosive Group Labels Box for Fixed Ammunition - Navy .303 Box another .303 Box 20mm Naval Ammunition Box another 20mm Naval Box .5in Box R.A.F. and another 20mm R.A.F. Box 20mm Box R.A.F. and yet one more, 20mm R.A.F. 30mm R.A.F. (Aden) Box Fixed 4in - Naval Box 40mm - Land Service Box 25pr Box - Land Service another 25pr Box - Land Service 5.5in Land Service Box 2in Mortar - Land Service 3in Mortar - Land Service 1in Signal Cartridge Box

ANTI-SUBMARINE

The following are generally mid 1940`s to late 1950`s

Anti - Personnel Mine No.6 Mk I & Mine Anti-Tank Mk7.........fuzes

VARIOUS

Sea target for naval gunnery practice at sea Bugle Calls...as in music!!....1......2.......3.... P.I.A.T. Projector Infantry Anti Tank c1943 ..weird early test projectile..!? Types of Driving Band Fractured 815lb shell Pallaiser Improved - chilled Projectile Schneider Plate after blow by from 100 ton gun Terre Noire, Finspong and Whitworth Steel Projectiles

DEMOLITION

The following are generally mid 1940`s to late 1950`s

Bangalore Torpedo Mk 2 & Charge Demolition No.14 Mk I Switch Time Pencil

UNIFORMS

Sergeant - 18th Hussars West Surrey Adjutant (left)-East Surrey Sergeant Major (right)

R.N.A.D. BULLPOINT, PLYMOUTH - a former Royal Naval Armament Depot, on the Tamar estuary - here seen in late 1940`s to 1950`s War Dept photographs.(NB. No longer an armament depot)

Working on 2pr "Pom-Pom" AAA in a processing room

Working on an aircraft bomb

Working on Quick Fire ammunition

Working on 4.7inch star shell ammunition........being placed in boxes..........note powder weighing scales at left

Magazine full of naval gunnery rounds...and I mean FULL!

Napoleonic era above ground magazines

American section: Sadly the quality of these is pretty duff due to them being scanned on a poor scanner and then compressed too much, however they may offer something to someone. They are all 1945ish to 1950ish

60mm Illuminating Mortar 2.36in Rockets 4.5in Rockets 500lb Aircraft Parachute Retarded Bomb Parachute Retarded Fragmentation Bomb Smoke Rifle Grenade H.E.Rocket Types a sort of unknown Fragmentation bomb thing! Grenades Ground Signal Parachute

e-mail Steve Johnson Cyberheritage

More Heritage sites from Steve Johnson .......some containing more illustrations of historical ordnance

Any suspicious item encountered when, eg. out walking in countryside, should not be touched at all and its position noted, marked and reported immediately to the police.

No correspondence will be entered into on any subject relating to live ammunition

Note Well!

"ordnance is designed for the mostpart to kill and that any tampering with live ammunition is a deadly and illegal game. Ammunition no matter how old is still potentially lethal"

e-mail Steve Johnson Cyberheritage