The 1st pattern P51 bullets do not feature any form of stamp, largely due to the manufacturing method of being cast and subsequently pressed. The 2nd pattern consistently feature stamps, depending on preservation and accessibility to the cavity (if the iron cup is present, the stamp will not be visible) as well as broad arrows on the cavity rim, indicating Royal Arsenal manufacture. The P42 bullets appear to fall in the middle ground, featuring broad arrows on the cavity rim, but not a central cavity stamp.

2nd pattern P51

The first stamp here is ‘L1’ although the ‘1’ is not entirely convincing and sits at an odd angle to the ‘L’. The broad arrows assert that this bullet was made at the Royal Arsenal. Following that we have the ‘4’, ‘5’, an obscured ‘3’, ‘5’ or upside down ‘6’ and finally a ‘7’. These numeric stamps indicate the Anderson bullet press on which the bullets were made. One press had four sets of dies and punches, so given the numbers go up to ‘7’, it would seem logical to suggest there were two presses, each containing four dies each.

P51 introduction

1st pattern conoidal, iron cup 1851

2nd pattern cylindro-conoidal, reduced diameter, iron cup 1854

3rd pattern, cylindro-conoidal, reduced diameter, wood/clay plug 1861

base cavity stamps

the catalogue