Mk 4 .303 Headstamp Question

[pedro243]

Hi all,

I was given a few old .303 rounds and one of them was a Mk 4 Hollow Point.

I am trying to determine the manufacturer and yr if it is possible.

All the head stamp has is a B @ 1 O'clock, IV @ 6 O'clock and a C @ 8/9 O'clock.

Any Ideas?

Information

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[browningautorifle]

The hollow point is possible a Dum-dum cartridge...a pic would be even better than a headstamp.

[CINDERS]

Ball cordite MK 4 round is it a cupro nickel RN any other markings on it may be the fairly rare Dum-Dum type pictures help the forum heaps and are easy to do.

[pedro243]

I quickly took some pictures. Here they are.

[mike1967]

Birmingham Metal and Munitions Company. Its a standard Cordite loaded MkIV, a Dum Dum would more than likely have an Indian Headstamp and no hollow point, only the lead exposed at the tip.

[pedro243]

Thanks for the info Mike.

Do you know if they are common or rare?

[mike1967]

Not rare, but in saying that, you don't see any at the shows etc like you used to. The super rare one is the MkIII, and the Indian Dum Dum Special is pretty rare as well.

[pedro243]

Yeah i read somewhere else that someone paid over $3k for a mark III. Thank you for your information

[jonnyc]

Although MkIV HP rounds aren't 'rare', the more common ones bring $10-20. However of all those I've seen, bought, or sold over the years, I don't recall ever seeing one with a "B" headstamp. Your would have been made 1900-ish.
And BTW, I seriously doubt any cartridge collector paid over $3000 for any .303 round, we are a notoriously cheap crowd.

[CINDERS]

Here Here Jonnyc thats is how we get a fruegel buy so we can at least afford to feed ourselves at gun show!!