Ammunition Lot Numbers

[Silverplate]

I am working on a project involving carbine ammunition lot numbers, and was wondering if anyone could shed some light on the actual breakdown of the numbering system in use during WW2 by the various arsenals."War Baby II" has a list of headstamps and lot numbers with a general date range for all of the ammunition production, but what I'm tryimg to locate is an actual lot number/manufacturing date correlation list or chart. So, if I have a box of Winchester ammo, with a lot number of WRA 22150, or a spam can with a lot number of LC 12989, how can I tell when it was produced? Does such a chart exist? Any assistance would be appreciated. I'm new to this forum, and have seen how knowledgeable all of you folks are. Thanks. Charlie

[jonnyc]

Not sure if it will help, but try posting your request on the IAA Forum (International Ammunition Association ).

[Bill Ricca]

What you might want to also research are the lots that were condemned. When I was in the service I experienced a detail of searching training ammunition for bad lot numbers.

I have a report on bad ammunition production, but it goes into types of problems, not lot numbers.

[DaveHH]

That some of the 50 BMG ammunition we had in stock was classed as "Training ammunition" because the charge weights were off and frequent stoppages would result. I guess the theory being that you would have to clear stoppages and problems. I went down to Cam Rahn and traded it all in for good stuff (several thousand rounds), That was hauled all the way across the Pacific for nothing. How could that have happened?

[browningautorifle]

That would be carelessness on the part of a pencil pusher. That didn't have to worry because he wouldn't be in combat.