WW2 .303 ammunition

[Chris7171]

I have collected over the years a few boxes of ww2 vintage unissued MkVII, tracer Mk11z & blanks, I've been searching for a box of ww2 .303 armor piercing ammo but have only ever come across the odd loose round and never a box, I am starting to think that a full unopened box does not exist any more? Or has someone got any?

1943 NZ c.a.c MkVII

1943 I.G. Canada Mk11z Tracer (not dated on the front, date embossed on the back)

1943 c.a.c MkV s.a blank

Information

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[CINDERS]

In Aus the ball ammo is about all we are basically allowed to collect A.P, Incd, Trace and the like are not covered in the license we have as collectors and it has been a long time since I have seen any for sale ~ One day I was at a WWII armorers house and we got talking about Mk VII ammo and he whips out as cool as you like a 250 round belt full of tracer Mk VII and said "Roo shooter ordered this and never picked it up" then without further ado whacked back under the bench. I can tell you his place was like an Aladdin's cave, he also proofed the guns we have on Rottnest Island during the war think they were 8" anyway sadly he has passed and his collection has been broken up or impounded by the powers that be...........
Here is an earlier packet of CAC Cordite 103 years of age now and a packet of Kynoch Mk VII this packets empty I have a full one but its packed away not often seen these packets in any condition well at least I have not seen any of late offered up for sale..

[Chris7171]

Here in NZ as far as ammo goes tracer & AP rounds are just treated the same as standard ammo, in fact you can still buy crates of ex-military .22 and 7.62x39 tracer from the gun shops here. I had loads of boxes of the .303 tracer and started a few fires with them on a friend's farm! Took some of the opened boxes of 1943 MkVII I have down to the range a while back and fired of a few rounds off, everyone hang fired so must be getting a bit old.

[henry r]

nice stuff gentlemen.

how common are live mk2 rounds over here?

[CINDERS]

MkII stuff very few and far between Henryr and if it does come up at a fair they usually want top $'s for it, Chris we were in NZ last year again and I just get jealous of what you guys can procure. At a military fair last weekend I was going to buy a modern packet of 5 rounds Kynoch .577 to add to the collection but the seller wanted $45.00/round $225.oo for the packet I passed on that and picked up a bitza packet of 32 Mk VII for $40.oo as there was not much floating around. M-36's were going for $350.oo a 5"shell case $170.oo the 2Pdr complete A.P I brought was bloody costly but in the West stuff is bl**dy hard to get.

Chris you should try Indian POF ammo it is hilarious not only do you get hang fires but all the confetti/smoke that comes out the muzzle obscures ones look at the target I shot it for about 5 shoots and just gave up got a handful of wheat and threw that at the target as the POF dispersion of shots is measured in yards.......

[henry r]

i got lucky a few weeks ago and was given a mk2 round.

my colleague and i were going into a customers laundry and there sitting at the door was this nice clean round nose .303 round. i walked straight past it but my colleague who is right into hunting and knows of my current .303 obsession pointed it out.
it had been found in a great uncles personal effects and was about to be handed in to the police for disposal. he was into firearms and his collection had gone to another relative, i would love to know what his collection had contained.

i'm trying hard not to go down the slippery slope into collecting ammunition etc. it's not looking good though... i've picked up a couple of 60's? riverbrand and a super ammunition co box, hopefully i can keep it to post war Australian made hunting stuff.

[CINDERS]

Yes it is quite easy to get bitten but it is half the fun tracking and discovering but also the history I have a few of the Riverbrand packets collecting munitions is an enjoyable pass time at times the story how you came by the piece is just as good as the item.

[CINDERS]

1st & 2nd - For Bren use only ball ammo

3rd - 15 round WWI packet of 215gn round nose Mk VI un-opened - I have ascertained they are Rn's by judicious lifting of one side of the lid in sunlight and using a magnifying glass to check the projie tip and they are nickle Rn's they were on the rather expensive side from memory.

4th - Bren only Blanks

[mike1967]

Attachment 65567 Some of mine.

[Vincent]

Attachment 65574Attachment 65575Attachment 65576Attachment 65577Attachment 65578

Are they the same as MkII Special?