Wanted: Reloadable Canadian War Dated .303 Brass

[maple_leaf_eh]

How much do you need? I've got a bunch of DIZ Boxer primers cases. Send me a PM.

[kajn65]

Hi Terry,

I'm looking for a minimum of 150 spent cases with their spent primers still intact. Possiblely 200-250 cases maximum. I'll have to double check on the larger figure and get back to you on that.

As long as the cases are in good shape with no dents, cracks or holes drilled in their sides; or, have any heavy oxidization on them (they must be able to be cleaned up easly). I would like to have some to make up a batch of inert ammunition for my 3 bandoliers; and a few extra stripper clips. No one in our group has any for display purposes. All I have to date is one chrome plated Drill or Instruction Round, which I picked up at a Gun Show for $0.50. Have these cases been resized so that they can fit in the rifle's chamber once the bullet is installed?

If that's to many to ask for, then quote me a price in what quantity you have available?

I have a chap that I met at a Gun Show back in September who says he has 50+ cases with the spent primer still intact, allong with Service Mk7 and Mk8 Bullets to be installed. I've sent several emails asking for a price but, have no reply as of yet. The next step is to give him a phone call. Personally, I think he has already sold the stuff. Hence, no replies to my emails.

Would you (or any other member) be able to tell me what Canadian Manufacturers of WW2 .303 Ball and other .303 caliber ammuntion types supplied our Miliitary Forces during this time? Who where the most popular?

I have a chance to get my hands on an original WW2 Canadian/Bristish .303 ammunition box from a fellow in a community that's about an hours drive away. If I can get it, I'd like to be able to have that at least half the volume of the box loaded with inert Canadian WW2 .303 Ball ammunition. No one in our Unit has been able to find one in good shape to use. Are the rounds found loose in this ammo box or are they packed inside in their stripper clips and bandoliers? I have yet to have a definate answer on this subject.

Thanks.

Rgs...

Keyan

[Tony Smith]

Originally Posted by kajn65

Are the rounds found loose in this ammo box or are they packed inside in their stripper clips and bandoliers?
Thanks.

Rgs...

Keyan

There were 6 different packaging methods for WW2 .303 Ammunition. They could be:
1. Wrapped in 10 round packets in a tin "Sardine Can" inside a plywood case,
2. Packed in 32rd cartons in timber boxes,
3. Packed in 48rd cartons in timber boxes,
4. Packed in 100rd cardboard round tubes,
5. Set 5 in a Charger (not "Stripper Clips"), 10 chgrs to a Bandolier,
6. In 250rd belts.


Postwar they introduced other packaging such as 20rd cartons, but I haven't seen any packed loose in a box.

Other varities of .303 such as Blank, Tracer, Grenade Launching, Incendiary, Armour piercing, Drill, Inspection, etc also had various packing methods depending on quantity.

[kajn65]

Hi Tony,

Thanks for the info and the great pics.

I have heard of Method 3 and of Method 5 packed in Timber Boxes. I didn't know if this was the norm or if it was just something made up by someone.

Thanks again for the information.

Rgs...

Keyan

[kajn65]

Tony (or others),

Are inert version of .303 Blank, Tracer, Grenade Launching and Armour Piercing; and their applicable packing boxes available to purchase for display purposes?

I have heard the "Live" Armour Piercing round may be illegal to own here in Canada. However, I haven't been able to confim that yet.

Rgs...

Keyan

[rob love]

Keyan
There are safety reasons why dummy ammunition is made to look different from regular ammunition. It is so it can be easily identified as such. There are never primers in dummy ammo, and normally small holes are drilled through the sides so it can be easily ID'd as dummy. As you have mentioned, some is also chromed and some is fluted as well.

Might I suggest that you, at a minimum, have the primers out of your dummy ammo, and give consideration to drilling 3 small holes on the sides of the cases. While authenticity is important for re-creations, an incident or accident does more harm to people in many different hobbies than the good which comes from ammo which appears live.

If you want to re-wrap dummy rounds (or even small blocks of wood for that matter) it is too easy to print up your own wrappers on a computer and fill most of the case that way. Just go with the more expensive dummy rounds on the top layer.

[kajn65]

Hi Rob,

Myslef, as well as members of my Re-Enactment Unit, have strongly considered doing what you advised to do to the Inert .303 Rounds in order to prevent misidentification between Inert Ammunition and Live ammuntion.

However, ther are a couple of points I neglected to mention in my previous post on the subject. So it is probably best that I mention them now before progressing any further, as they do hold quite heavily to why I'm asking for my .303 casings to be in a certain condition.

Firstly, our group has a strong possibilty of doing future volunteer work with the local War Museum on Parks Canada's Citadel Hill here in Halifax. Talks are still in progress with one of our Unit's representatives.

The museum is asking our Unit to do displays inside the museum; and to set up an encampment on their grounds, while allowing the general public to view our equipment and ask general qquestions.

Secondly, Inert .303 British Ammuntion, with: either Spent or Dummy Primers intact, Service Mk7 or Mk8 Bullets installed; and, their cases not drilled are readily available for purchase by internet vendors located in Britain and Europe for a modest price. They look like Live Ammuntion except they don't have the feel (weight) of such. The same also holds true to authentic WW2 ammuntion that are describing us to make.

As a result, our group has decided to keep our equipment, ammunition, other ordinance, etc. as authentic looking as possible; while having provisions or safe guards in place to protect the general public and our members.

It's our Unit's policy to only have Deactivated or Inert Ordinance of any type on hand for publuic displays, school lectures, Leagion Re-Unions, parades, Military Collector & Trade Shows, encampments, etc. When requested, the public is given the option of handling such while under the constant supervision of a member. Live Blanc Ammunition is restricted to Military Ceremonies, parades, encampments, etc. when requested by the parties hosting such events. Live Ammunition is only used at the range.

It's also our Unit's policy, just before attending any Unit function listed above, to have at least 2 members inspect, prove and record any type of ordinance (inert, live, drill, instructional, etc.) used; in what quantities; and by whom. It's always under constant supervision of a Unit member. All Inert Ammunition is stored and transported as if it were Live Ammunition; and is kept in a lockable container when doing so.

It's nice to know that there are fellow collectors and/or re-enactors out htere who are safety minded as our members are. It's an important aspect of this hobby that must not be forgoten.

As I previously mention, I only have 1 authentic WW2 chrome plated .303 Drill Round. Eventually I will have more for my Display Kit. The same also holds true to other authentic WW2 Instruction or Drill Rounds (ones with the primers removed and the cases drilled), when funds permit.

It seems that I'm the only one in my group who is interested in doing such a thing. Hence, my specific request(s).

Rgs...

Keyan