-
Legacy Member

Originally Posted by
usabaker
So when did the
British
switch over to N.C. ammunition?
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.
Just the thing for putting round holes in square heads.
-
-
03-26-2023 11:54 AM
# ADS
Friends and Sponsors
-
Contributing Member
Nice lookin' carbine. The suncorite shows some abuse but not the rest.
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.
Veteran US Navy Seabees - US Army Corps of Engineers - American Legion Post 0867
" Only two defining forces have offered to die for me. 1.) Jesus Christ 2.) The American G.I. "One died for your soul, the other for your freedom! "
-
Thank You to usabaker For This Useful Post:
-
-
Advisory Panel

Originally Posted by
usabaker
No. 5 Bayonet which looked to be a reproduction
Yes it does. The markings alone would have me seeking another and flog that one. Just me though...
-
-
Legacy Member

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.
MKVIIZ and MKVIIIZ
Mine are not the best, but they are not too bad. I can think of lots of Enfields I'd rather have but instead of constantly striving for more, sometimes it's good to be satisfied with what one has...
-
-
Contributing Member

Originally Posted by
GeeRam
most
British
and Commonwealth 303 ammo made after about 1955 will be NC and non-corrosive primed.
GeeRam.. Thank you all good information 
---------- Post added at 11:23 AM ---------- Previous post was at 11:21 AM ----------

Originally Posted by
Alan de Enfield
MKVIIZ and MKVIIIZ
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.
Veteran US Navy Seabees - US Army Corps of Engineers - American Legion Post 0867
" Only two defining forces have offered to die for me. 1.) Jesus Christ 2.) The American G.I. "One died for your soul, the other for your freedom! "
-