Quote Originally Posted by green View Post
Cordite ammo had no letter suffix to the mark numeral. Nitrocellulose loade ammo had the Z suffix.
Green is absolutely right on the Z marking. While making the original post, I may have had a blonde moment. Only excuse I can make is a certain blonde Labrador Retriever was bugging me at the time, believeing that clamping its teeth on my ankle consisted of it's idea of play and fun.

The .303-in. S.A. Ball Cartridge Mark VII was introduced in November, 1910. It had a 174 grain bullet, propelled by 37 grains MDT (Modified Cordite in tubular form.) The word "Cordite" was dropped from the name of the new cartridge, and in February 1913, the word "Cordite" was omitted from all future Small Arms nomenclature.

When the cartridge was loaded with nitro-cellulose, it became the
Mark VII Z, and used principally in machine guns.

In February, 1913, a reclassification of the various Marks of .303 Small Arms Ammunition was also made.

Marks II and Mark III - for suitably sighted .303 in. small arms and machine guns.

Mark IV - for all suitably sighted small arms only.

Marks V, VI, and VII --for all suitably sighted small arms and machine guns.

Just so it doesn't confuse anyone, I have corrected the first post.
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