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I had these for a long time and could use some help to identify the last two cartridges with the colored bullets (I knew what they were but since forgot)
The first is the Mark 11 C and the second is 1916 - it is the last two I need to I DAttachment 56389Attachment 56390
Last round FN= Fabrique National d 'Armes de Gurre Herstal Belgium 1950 vintage Incendiary going by the coloured tip and the annulus other one is a something 1942 so will go with this one;
2nd last one
CARTRIDGE, S.A., TRACER, .303-INCH, G MARK 6.
Introduced: c.1942
Approved: 3-1945
Description: PS bullet with C-N* , G-M* or coated MS* envelope containing a compound core consisting of a lead/antimony (92/8) front piece, with a copper cup containing tracer composition in the rear. The bottom of the cup is closed by a brass washer and the envelope turned over to retain the core. There is a cannelure round the middle of the bullet.
Crimping: Case mouth coned onto bullet cannelure.
Weight: 151 grains
Tip Color: White
Trace Color: Red
Charge: 35 grains cordite MDT, size 5/2*, with a strawboard wad on top.
Remarks: This is the standard GIV pattern with a bullet using standard components, and was originally known as the "GIV/II" which became "G MARK VI". The above designation was adopted circa late 1944 with the change of mark numerals in British service.
Air service day tracer.
PS= Pointed, Solid
C-N= Cupro-Nickel, an alloy of 80% copper, 20% Nickel. Dull Silver in color
G-M= Gilding Metal, An alloy of 85-90% Copper and 15-20% zinc. Copper in color
MS= Mild Steel
MDT, Size 5/2= Modified, Tubular. Cordite was originally 58% Nitroglycerine, 37% Guncotton and 5% mineral jelly but it caused excessive bore erosion so the mixture was modifided to 30%, 65% and 5% respectively. This was known as "Modified". Then it was pressed into a tubular form to obtain an increased burning surface. The 5/2 indicates the external and internal diameters. (External=0.05" and Internal 0.02")
Source: Identification Manual on the .303 British Service Cartridge, No.3 - Special Purpose Ammunition. Published: B.A.Temple-1987
And a tad more;
British Ammunition
There are several types of ammunition available in Cliffs of Dover, we’ll go over the different types used by the RAF and explain their composition and effects. It’s important to note that although Cliffs of Dover allows unlimited use of ammo types, some were in fact quite rare and not in abundant supply.
Ammo Type Description
Ball, .303 inch, Magazine Rifle, Cordite, Mark I Jacketed round nose bullet with lead core.
Ball, .303 inch, Cordite, Mark VI Jacketed round nose hollow point bullet with lead core.
Ball, .303 inch, Cordite, Mark VII Jacketed pointed bullet with internal paper or aluminum tip and lead base.
Tracer (Yellow), G, 500 yd, .303 inch, Cordite, Mark I Jacketed tracer, yellow. 500 yard burn on tracer.
Tracer (Yellow), G, Infantry Long Range, 1000 yd, .303 inch, Cordite Mark II Jacketed tracer, yellow. 1000 yard burn on tracer.
Tracer (Red), G, Naval 800 yd, .303 inch, Cordite, Mark III Jacketed tracer, red. 800 yard burn on tracer.
Tracer (Yellow), G, Aircraft 550 yd, .303 inch, Cordite, Mark IV Jacketed tracer, yellow. 550 yard burn on tracer.
Tracer (Burgundy), G, Aircraft Night Dimmed, 550 yd, .303 inch, Cordite, Mark V Jacketed tracer, burgundy. 550 yard “dim” burn on tracer.
Tracer (Yellow), G, Aircraft, 550 yd, .303 inch, Nitrocellulose, Mark VIz Jacketed tracer, yellow. 550 yard burn on tracer.
Armour Piercing, W, .303 inch, Nitrocellulose, Mark Iz Armour piercing jacketed bullet.
Incendiary/Tracer (White), B, .303 inch, Nitrocellulose, Mark Iz Incendiary bullet with tracer composition.
Incendiary, B, .303 inch, Nitrocellulose, Mark VIz, “De Wilde” Improved incendiary bullet.
Observer, O, .303 inch, Cordite, Mark I Observer round, designed to show a puff of smoke when striking a target.
* Cordite and Nitrocellulose are two different types of propellant. Cordite is a long stick-like propellant, and Nitrocellulose is a tiny flake propellant
Headstamps of the .303 British Calibre Service Ammunition RoundQuote:
Originally Posted by RCS
I remember that FN 50 tracer stuff being SO common in the mid-1970s that we would buy crates of the stuff for less than $8 (Oz) per hundred, pull the projectiles and reseat soft-points (Oz-made "Super") for hunting. The funny thing is that, at the time, I gave a swag of the projectiles to a couple of "eccentric " types who were reloading for 7.7 Jap............
The packets were a "beige-ish" cardboard, with a crimson label clearly stating "pour BREN". I think I still have one round and an empty packet with label somewhere.....
There was also a swag of FN ball ammo of similar vintage and suitable markings around at the same time: EXCELLENT ammo indeed. I still have a substantial quantity of the fired brass, (being a chronic scrounger) and it takes the "standard" RWS .217" 5608 or 6627 Berdan primer. Being non-Mercuric, it is good for quite a few reloads; (chambers permitting). Considerable quantities of these cases are slowly "returning to nature" across a vast swathe of southern Queensland.
Have not found my own packets yet.
However, I found some pix over at The International Ammo forum: International Ammunition Association {iaaforum.org} - View topic - Belgian FN .303 box