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westgard
02-03-2015, 03:49
I have a few spam cans of .30 carbine, was wondering if there is any way to date them?? I don't want to open and see what the headstamp is....:icon_lol:
all are 600 round cans.

LC 13184

RA 5426

WRA 22786

Any guidance or pointers would be appreciated!
Thanks!!

Tuna
02-03-2015, 07:03
600 round spam cans are Korean war or later. Are the cans marked boxes or clips or not marked as such?

westgard
02-04-2015, 03:16
Thanks for the information. All 3 of the cans are marked 10 round stripper clips, bandoliers.

George in NH
02-04-2015, 04:11
Sir,
Just finished looking in my "stash", found the following; LC13205, box of 50 rounds, LC 52, box ink stamped APR 52,
RA 5320, clips/bandoleers, RA 53, bandoleer, dark green, ink stamped JUNE 53, WRA 22667, clips/bandoleers, WRA 52, bandoleer
darker Khaki, no ink stamp, lastly, WRA 22750, WRA 53, clips/bandoleers, bandoleer dark green. Notes on primers, WRA 22667 round face with four stake marks around primer pocket. WRA 22750, round face primer with no stake marks. Also maker plus date is the head stamp. Forgot to add that LC and RA primer faces are flat with no stake marks. Hope all this helps,
George in NH

Tuna
02-04-2015, 06:11
Winchester (WRA) and Western (WCC) (same company) were the only makers of US 30 carbine to stake the primers in place. This was done during WW2 and during Korea.

westgard
02-05-2015, 02:57
Hi George, Thank you for the additional information. Given the proximity of the numbers, looks to be confirmed that it's early 50's vintage.
Regards,
Matt