Winchester Headstamps

Headstamp Variations

The following dates are based on when each type headstamp was used.

1873-1873

The first easy way to generally date early cases would be the use of headstamps. Winchester did not headstamp cases until about 1884. The very first cartridge used the MIlbank primer in 1873. Technically Winchester didn't get a patent on their new No. 1 primer until July 14th, 1874 which had a flat shaped anvil. The Milbank primer was tapered and did not seat well in the primer pocket.


1874-1884


1884-1928 (small primer)

Here is a "W.R.A. Co. 44 W.C.F." headstamp with a small "o". 

 

1895-xxxx

Possibly the oldest of the smokeless powder cartridge headstamps. Unlike the headstamp above, the 44's in the below headstamp have the serifs. This headstamp probably has earliest smokeless primer, the W with a circle around it, and could date to 1895.


It has been reported that the W stamp(s) (for the 44-40) ranged from 1895 to 1923 in various forms.

1902-1915

This Full Patch cartridge offering helps to date when this headstamp was used. Charged with 16.8gr of Dupont No.2. This is closer to the 17gr seen on powder can labels data and in handloading manuals. Once again the Tin has been rubbed off of the jacketed bullet over the years. Cupro-Nickel alloy plating will not rub off. I have seen the Full Patch offerings as early as maybe 1902, certainly by 1915 and are packed in the Orange label boxes later designated K4411T by 1920. The bullet has a recess on the base which I thought to be a later design. 


1914

This cartridge removed from a Red Label 1914 smokeless powder (lead bullet) box, The Lead bullet was also available with the new smokeless powder loads. This cartridge contained 15gr of Dupont No.2, slightly less than 17gr that should be typical. The lead bullet, like the JSP is also .4255" but could be compressed from crimping.


1910-1912

According to Daniel L. Shuey, the "Stab" crimp was used only during 1910 and 1911. He also stated that the Stab crimp cartridges used "Lesmok". It is obvious that the powder in the Stab crimped cartridge above is not "Lesmok".  Just maybe this Tin plated SP with the "Stab" crimp was manufactured in the same time frame as the aforementioned Full Patch. My guess is that it will have the same Dupont No. 2 powder charge. It also has the "W" primer stamp. 


Winchester No. 1W primers were used for both black and smokeless powder by 1915. A loaded example was in a late 1915, green label black powder dated box, the case is minus a cannelure typically used with smokeless powder. Later black powder loadings were designated K14106T by 1920. 1W primers have been seen on 1923 dated primer boxes. Export BP loads used a dotted cannalure to keep the bullet seated during shipping. 

1895-1925


1903-1938


Pretty much guessing here but this should be the late production WHV. The bullet is no longer coated. Only 13.9gr of Sharpshooter powder leading me to believe that these loads were getting weaker every year or the powder more powerful. This one is using the flat primer which Winchester would test out ever so often. However, Winchester did not switch to them until 1976. Still investigation the primers.


1932-1938

This cartridge was removed from from the blue non-mercuric box which dates between 1932 and 1938 when Winchester started using non-mercuric primers.