Head Stamp ID Inf ?

[345 DeSoto]

Would some one be so kind as to steer me to where I could find a list of head stamp ID's...specificlly for the M1 Carbine. I've accumulated around 5,000 cases to reload, and there are some REALLY bizzare headstamps. And would anyone know why Lake Cit, and EC (whatever THAT is) would only have one number on some of their cases? Thanks, guys...

 

[1KPerDay]

http://cartridgecollectors.org/?page=headstampcodes

Single digit US headstamps are generally "4" for 1944 and "5" for 1955. Apparently there are some "6"es out there but I've never seen one (for 1966).

An old-timer on the CMP forums posted this:

The single digit is from Lake City using the LC 43 headstamp die and simply grinding off the 3. They did it with 1954 to make LC 55 and again in 1966 with the 1965 die.

 

[ReloaderFred]

Here is another list: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_military_headstamps#American_Military_Cartridges

EC was the Evansville Ordnance Plant, which made a lot of ammunition during WW II.

Hope this helps.

Fred

 

[345 DeSoto]

Thanks, guys...

 

[Kp321]

The good news is that most but not all 30 carbine brass is good to reload. Some Chinese and French rounds were Berdan primed. The French loads have stamps at 3,6,9 and 12 while most are only stamped at 6 and 12. The Chinese copied a US head stamp, just don't recall which one right now. It is easy enough to look at the flash hole on carbine brass. There are some steel carbine cases out there but they can be reloaded in a pinch. Most EC cases I have seen are steel.

 

[BobWright]

As a matter of interest, the EC headstamp stood for "Evansville Chrysler" as Chrysler Corporation operated the Evansville Ordnance Plant during WW II. And EC S stood for "Evansville Chrysler Sunbeam" and the Sunbeam Corporation made cases (usually steel .45 ACP) to be loaded at the Evansville Ordnance Plant. This WW II production.

Bob Wright