In modern times, a large number of different cartridges are used, which are similar in appearance. This has led to the use of markings that allow them to be distinguished. What are they? Where are they applied? And what does the marking of the cartridge mean? What can she be? Here is a short list of questions that will be considered.
Introduction
Now not only weapon cartridges, but also construction and turning cartridges have become widespread. Separately, we can recall the idle, which, although not used in military affairs, still deserve attention. In this case, the required information can be displayed in different ways. For example, with the help of a brand, color or label. It should be noted that although quite a bit of time has passed since the introduction of cartridge marking, it cannot be said with certainty that the same rules apply now as they did a century ago. Something appeared and was added to the system, other approaches, on the contrary, went out of use. There was a production of a specific type of cartridges, then they decided itclose. And there are many such situations.
The designations on the cartridges originate from the hallmarks of craftsmen who put their marks on various goods (weapons, jewelry and pottery, and so on). Currently, two main functions are assigned to marks: advertising and technical information.
What data can be obtained from the marking?
Basically it is:
- Service hallmarks. As a rule, this is the marking on the bottom of the cartridge. It allows you to find out about the place of manufacture (country, enterprise), type (name) and caliber. The time of creation, material, purpose, model and type of weapon for which it is intended can also be placed.
- Coloring elements. It can be applied to bullets, primers, these parts of cartridge cases. Talks about the type of cartridge, some features of its device or purpose.
- Labels. They contain the same data as on the stamps. In addition, there may be certain information about the elements of cartridges, ballistic characteristics, and so on. Often, due to the need for a large area to communicate all the necessary information, they are printed on wooden boxes, moisture-proof bags, cardboard boxes, paper bags, metal boxes.
The marks left are conventional signs, which are presented in the form of numbers, drawings and letters, embossed on the surface of the cartridges. They can be service or control. The first allows you to get data about the manufacturer, production date, creation time, certain design features,appointment and some other information specific to a certain period of time or inherent in any country in general.
The control terminal indicates that the cartridge meets the established quality requirements, and the responsible person (or commission) was convinced of this. But they are usually placed only on powerful ammunition, such as shells from artillery cannons.
Depending on the type and purpose, the label may contain certain information. For example, military cartridges often only carry technical information. Whereas on hunting and sports, advertising is not uncommon. This is done thanks to various pictorial forms (decorative elements, types of fonts, and so on), content (memorable and catchy titles, proper names). In such cases, everything is usually done in order to emphasize the quality of the product and their popularity.
What is it for?
But the main purpose of the brand, the coloring of elements and labels is that they together form a system of conventional signs that contain the information necessary to distinguish the types and purpose of cartridges. Although there may be additional properties. For example, cartridge coloring is used to provide a distinctive feature of one type that is easily perceived, or to quickly communicate the purpose of cartridges. At the same time, it is also a means of protection against corrosion processes.
In the domestic tradition, coloring is usedthe head of the bullet (its tip). This decision has been made since the time of the Russian Empire. For example, an armor-piercing incendiary bullet is painted red and black. Green is selected for tracer cartridges. Ordinary cartridges do not have a distinctive color. This is also observed in a number of foreign armies.
Sometimes you can find the color of the primer at the junction of bullets with the muzzle of the sleeve. In this case, it is used not only to obtain a distinctive feature, but also for tightness. True, this approach causes certain inconveniences when creating cartridges and visually determining the nomenclature. What information can be gleaned from looking at bullets? In short, the basic information is:
- For Soviet (Russian): year of manufacture and designation of the manufacturing plant.
- Australian, Canadian, English: type (brand) and company name.
- French: time (quarter and year), designation of the metal supplier for the sleeve.
- German: manufacturer, material, batch number, and when it was produced.
- Italian: for private companies, only the year of manufacture and the name of the company that created the product. For government: manufacturer, time of manufacture, initials of the controller.
- Japanese: year of creation (according to the local calendar) and quarter, abbreviated company name.
Information is usually applied by indentation. Although sometimes you can find a convex relief.
Specific marking. Blank markings
As you can see, timenot always indicated. In such cases, you can navigate in the cartridges by the name of the company (comparing with the date of work) or by the variant of the adopted brand. Also, sometimes stamps can indicate additional information, such as case material, purpose, primer design, as well as other information such as: made for a military order, issued to a customer, a patent, and so on. In domestic bullets of the period 1949-1954, a letter designation was used to indicate the time period. You can also find additional icons in the form of two diametrically located five-pointed stars. Additional letters and numbers are not uncommon. As an example, for the ShKAS aviation machine gun, an additional Sh was provided at the end of the bottom part. Armor-piercing incendiary ones were designated B-32. For exemplary cartridges, white was used.
By the way, what does the marking of blank cartridges look like? There is no single solution here. But, for example, in machine-gun cartridges of caliber 14.5 and 12.7, a sealant, additionally tinted green, was used along the circumference of the junction of the sleeve with the cap and primer. But the lack of a unified approach creates certain problems. Now the most common products with red and green. But still, in order to avoid negative consequences, you need to find out about this when purchasing weapons.
Suddenly suddenly found a cartridge
For most people getting their hands on ammo is not easy. And those who do have access to them usually also have a profession altraining: police, athletes, hunters, huntsmen, military. Therefore, the occurrence of a situation where there is a supply, but it cannot be classified, is unlikely for them. After all, they hand out mostly what is already well known.
But there were numerous military conflicts on our territory. From many you can find only rusty iron and no more. But the Great Patriotic War has left its mark to this day. And finding bullets from that period is not a problem now. Of course, according to the current legislation, it is necessary to inform the police about them and hand them over to the sappers who came to the rescue. But it's interesting - what was found?
If we talk about the markings of World War II cartridges used by the Soviet Union, then first of all it should be noted 7, 62x54. The 1891 specimen was blunt, while the 1908 specimen was introduced with a pointed one. That is, they can be distinguished by shape. In addition, you can also find a cartridge for TT 7, 62x25. This sample was also used in such legendary weapons as PPSh, PPD, PPS. Tracer bullets are marked separately in green.
But not only domestic representatives come across. The marking of German cartridges from the times of the Second World War may also be relevant. For example, 7, 92x57. Their sleeves are distinguished by brass, bi-metal or steel lacquering. And there are both blunt and pointed.
Other bullets can be found on the territory of the Soviet Union, although problematic. Basically, these are visiting and performing an auxiliary role of the unit. But if you move to other fronts, then therethere are other cartridges of the Second World War. The marking of French bullets 8x50R is distinguished by an annular groove at the bottom. Not least, it is the first French smokeless rifle cartridge, developed in 1886. But the most relevant is still the marking of German cartridges of the Second World War, as well as Soviet samples. Especially a lot of them can be found in places of major battles.
What other antiquities can be mentioned?
In our conditions, Mauser cartridges cannot be ignored. Markings for standard samples 6, 5x55 are not much different from those used at that time. Namely, the unsegmented location of the marks. Usually four elements were used, although there are bullets with two. If we talk about the Soviet Union, then heredity from the time of the Russian Empire is very visible. So, the marking of cartridges has hardly changed. Unless heavy bullets and ammunition with a steel core have ceased to be noted. This is not surprising, because when they were just starting to be introduced, they were a valuable rarity with a number of outstanding properties. Separately, it is worth mentioning 7, 62, of the 1943 model, which replaced the 1908 cartridge. And this is not surprising, because for three and a half decades, science and processing methods have been able to move forward, opening up opportunities for creating new products.
Marking of cartridges of the times of the Great Patriotic War (and after) of this type was carried out mainly for incendiary, tracer, delayed and armor-piercing ammunition. By the way, since a large number of them were made, and there were no major conflicts, thenthey can often be found in warehouses. In general, they are so good that only their individual modifications, produced in relatively small batches, were updated and changed.
Is there something more modern?
The first two types do not have any specific color. Although those that have increased penetration, it should be noted that they are not stopped by 16 millimeters of third steel. Bullets with a reduced flight speed are used in weapons equipped with a silent firing device. Armor-piercing can penetrate 5 millimeters of high-quality protection. The difference between blanks is that they have a plastic tip, which collapses in the bore of the weapon. In addition, you can also consider the work of pistol bullets. For example, among the 9 mm, a bullet with a steel core should be distinguished. But she has no color differences. The same can be said about the 5.45 cartridge used in PSM pistols.
What can you tell from the packaging?
As mentioned above, information can be obtained from more than just looking at ammunition. Sometimes just looking at the package is enough. In this case, colored distinctive stripes, signs and inscriptions in black are of interest. Much depends on the capacitywork. So, wooden boxes are marked on the lid and on one of the side walls. On moisture-proof packages, information is located on the longitudinal sides. If there is a metal box, then information can be gleaned from the lid. For marking, stenciling, typographical stamping or using a special machine is used. If we are talking about a box, then the weight (gross, in kg) should be indicated on the lid. In addition, a transport sign is also provided, which indicates the category of cargo. But this is only on Soviet products.
Since 1990, it has been decided to indicate instead the conditional hazard number with a warning sign. As an alternative, a classification code is used in accordance with GOST 19433-88. At the same time, the marking of live ammunition has its own distinctive features. So, on the wall you can find symbols of this type: "RIFLE", "PISTOL", "SNIPER", "OBR. 43". In addition, the batch number is applied, the last two digits of the year of manufacture, the manufacturer's conditional number, gunpowder, the number of cartridges and obturators are marked, as well as a distinctive sign, stripe or inscription to characterize the type of cartridge.
If the box contains moisture-proof packages with ammunition, then an informing inscription on the wall must be applied about this. To designate the caliber, a numerical value in millimeters is used. But no dimension. In addition, they also apply a symbol for the type of ammunition and cartridge case (indicates the material from which it is made). For exemplary cartridgesthe group cipher is replaced by the abbreviation "OB". If we are talking about a batch of gunpowder, then its brand, number and year of manufacture are indicated along with the manufacturer's designation. This is very convenient, because the markings on cartridge cases and substances are difficult to access: you need to open the box, unpack and look. Whereas seconds can count.
Observed changes
If you take a sample of ammunition made in the Soviet Union and a modern cartridge, you will notice that they differ even if the manufacturer is the same. This is due to the fact that the accepted internal designation is not always clear to buyers abroad, such as Americans. Often changes lead to the fact that it becomes difficult to classify the ammunition. For example, marking hunting cartridges of caliber 5, 6 by one Latin letter V (denoting "East") is quite problematic. But it is used for training, also in sports. Due to its low price, it has become quite widespread. And this is where additional elements come to the rescue. So, if there are belts, then the more of them, the better the ammunition. And it is more intended for use in hunting small game. If they are not, then its main purpose is sports shooting and training. Although the changes are not always visible. So, if there is an inscription in English, then this is probably an export batch. Although it is not difficult to find "fresh" ammunition with a designation in Cyrillic.
About mounting cartridges
At the very beginning of the article, it was also said that they are not only weapons. There are also assembly (they are construction) cartridges. And, as you might guess, markings have also been developed for them. Why? The fact is that powder construction pistols are designed for a certain detonation energy. It provides impact driving of dowels into metal or concrete surfaces. But if an unsuitable product is selected, this can lead to a breakdown of the device and even injury to a person. To avoid this, it was decided that the marking of construction cartridges was needed. What is she like?
In short, they are classified by color, height and diameter, number and method of packaging. How does this affect the product? The charge power in joules depends on the color. In this case, the marking is carried out on the conical tip of the cartridge. There are also short and long cartridges with different diameters. For example, there is a caliber 5, 6x16, 6, 8x11, 6, 8x18. The number of the cartridge indicates the mass of the powder charge. And the way of packaging says what kind of pistols they are intended for. For example, multiply charged and automatic can only work with cartridges in the tape. Describing their device, it should be noted that they have a standard design. That is, all cartridges consist of such parts: a steel sleeve, primer, wad, crimping.
Let's take a closer look at this. The steel case contains a charge of smokeless powder. If the series is K, then all space is filled. The letter D indicates that it is only in the bottom part. Wad is pressedgunpowder, which holds the impact composition in the sleeve. And pressing is carried out from above. In this case, the color marking of cartridges is carried out.
About lathe chucks
They are special devices that are used to hold tools or workpieces on the spindle axis. Usually used as part of the headstock of a lathe to clamp workpieces. But it can also be installed in dividing heads and rotary tables. There are self-centering chucks, as well as products with independent jaws.
If we talk about marking lathe chucks, then with the products of the times of the Soviet Union, everything is quite simple. After all, there was a unified system at that time. Each cartridge had a code consisting of eight numbers and a letter that indicated the accuracy class of the product. With the help of a special table, thanks to the marking, it was possible to find out the number of jaws, the diameter of the cartridge, the accuracy class and some other parameters. Now, this is not so clear cut. A large number of different manufacturers and different manufacturing countries have created a situation where trying to give universal labeling to modern designs is unsuccessful. If you are interested in what and how, then you need to look for it from a specific manufacturer who created the device.
Conclusion
The article considered the marking of cartridges of the Great Patriotic War and modern ammunition. Of course, only basic information was discussed here, because there can always be a batch of some cartridges that deviated from the acceptedregulations. But, nevertheless, if the marking of rifle cartridges for military or civilian for hunting comes across, then information that helps with a high degree of probability to find the necessary data is provided in sufficient volume.
And finally, it is necessary to touch upon security issues. You should always remember that you have to work with objects of increased danger. It doesn’t matter if you have a mounting cartridge in your hands, pistol or rifle, you must always follow safety precautions. Otherwise, you will have to pay with your he alth or even your life.
While holding ammo, be careful with it. Do not bring to a heat source, do not throw it anyhow. Although the likelihood of a negative incident is low, it can happen to anyone. Always, when working with dangerous objects, it is necessary to remember that safety rules are written in the blood of those who neglected them. And in order to preserve your own he alth and life, you do not need to tempt fate. Especially when there are such dangerous things in the hands as cartridges containing explosive substances and posing a threat in themselves.
