Need help identifying a bullet

[MrRoberts]

My son and I went to a WW2 fair, someone kindly gave my son a bullet that looks like a .50cal 1954, but I don't know what the rest mean?

[KradSpam]

It's British you can tell by the arrow/crow's foot stamp. RL shows it was made at the Royal Laboratory, in Woolwich.

Welcome to the forum, your son will have the collecting bug soon if not already

[John Brandon]

.303 Royal Laboratories 1954 Mk 7 (powder)

[MrRoberts]

thanks for your help guys

[TonyE]

As stated, it is a .303 inch Ball Mark 7 made by Royal Laboratory, Woolwich in 1954. It was loaded with cordite ("powder" in British terminology generally means blackpowder).

If it was a .50 calibre it would be about twice the size,

1954 was about the end of production at RL before it closed.

Regards
TonyE

[MrRoberts]

Makes sense. Thanks

To KradSpam... My son DOES have a collecting bug now. :-)

[John Brandon]

Of course Tony you are right Cordite was used up until the 1950's, just trying to make a distinction between the v11 and the v11z, which I believe, and correct me if I'm wrong was cordite strips, but the v11 was flakes, and a slightly different constitution

[Steve T]

Nice to see a youngster getting the collecting bug. However, let's get him started off on the right foot !!!

Bullet = The projectile that leaves the gun and travels at high speed through the air until it hits the ground or something else.

Cartridge = The brass/steel container for the propellent charge and which also serves as a 'holder' for the bullet.

Round = A cartridge and a bullet when together as one piece


What you have is a CARTRIDGE not, by any means, a BULLET. Once he gets this terminology correct, collecting will become a lot easier and he won't set pedants like myself off on one........

[John Brandon]

OUCH!!!! It's not a GUN! it's a weapon or rifle xx

A gun is something a seven mile sniper will use. Remember Full metal Jacket? "This is my rifle this is my GUN"

sorry Steve, a bit picky I know, but I used to slap anyone that said gun
"Weapon fires, weapon fires weapon stops, on looking at the cocking handle it's fully forward.....carry on

[Steve T]

LOL !!!

I can feel a 'pedant battle' shall forthwith commence.......