Frankford Arsenal - Munition Markings

Munition Markings

Each round of ammunition was marked with the headstamp "F A" on its base, denoting that it was produced at the Frankford Arsenal.

Early metallic cartridges produced at Frankford were not head-stamped. These were either Martin or Benet primed copper cases. Early cartridges were stamped "F" for Frankford or "R" for rifle or "C" for carbine. Ammunition produced prior to WW I was dated with the numerical month-year headstamp, such as "8 79" or "2 12", indicating August 1879 or February 1912 as date of manufacture.

Match-grade 7.62 mm (.308) cartridge cases were manufactured in limited quantities.

Cartridges conforming to NATO specifications were marked with the NATO cross (a circle containing a "+").

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