T7216 No.5MK1ROF(F) 12/45 Enfield

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Originally Posted by usabaker

So when did the British switch over to N.C. ammunition?

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It didn't exactly switch over. First use of NC for the 303 was during WW1, and it continued making both NC and Cordite ammo concurrently until at least end of WW2, if not up until early 1950's.
The MkVII or MkVIII ammo with NC is suffix with a Z on headstamp.
Even the surplus NC z stamp ammo made during this time can still have corrosive primers, so should still be flushed out with boiling water immediately after shooting. I think they stopped using corrosive primers in the mid 50's, around the time the UK went over to the SLR and the 7.62x51 NATO round.
So, most British and Commonwealth 303 ammo made after about 1955 will be NC and non-corrosive primed.

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Originally Posted by browningautorifle

Nice lookin' carbine. The suncorite shows some abuse but not the rest.

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Thanks Jim, I was surprised when I saw it. I walked in on one of the guys I know at the gun store when he was setting prices a bunch of consignment rifles, I saw the No. 5 in the bunch and asked to look at it. I was surprised by how clean it was and without taking it apart looked to be original. Well except for the No. 5 Bayonet which looked to be a reproduction but I haven't looked into it, just has the look and feel of a repo. I decided not to pass up on the chance of owning a nice No. 5.

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Originally Posted by usabaker

No. 5 Bayonet which looked to be a reproduction

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Yes it does. The markings alone would have me seeking another and flog that one. Just me though...

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Originally Posted by GeeRam

It didn't exactly switch over. First use of NC for the 303 was during WW1, and it continued making both NC and Cordite ammo concurrently until at least end of WW2, if not up until early 1950's.
The MkVII or MkVIII ammo with NC is suffix with a Z on headstamp.
Even the surplus NC z stamp ammo made during this time can still have corrosive primers, so should still be flushed out with boiling water immediately after shooting. I think they stopped using corrosive primers in the mid 50's, around the time the UK went over to the SLR and the 7.62x51 NATO round.
So, most British and Commonwealth 303 ammo made after about 1955 will be NC and non-corrosive primed.

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MKVIIZ and MKVIIIZ

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Originally Posted by GeeRam

most British and Commonwealth 303 ammo made after about 1955 will be NC and non-corrosive primed.

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GeeRam.. Thank you all good information :)

---------- Post added at 11:23 AM ---------- Previous post was at 11:21 AM ----------

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Originally Posted by Alan de Enfield

MKVIIZ and MKVIIIZ

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Thanks for this, I'll have to dig through my surplus to see what I have. I know I have a lot of it and believe I sorted it by headstamp at one point.