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.
First and Last date loaded or offered -1873 to 1873
Headstamp Variation - no headstamp
Bullet Description - lead round nose flat point maybe with two small lube grooves
Case Description - Shorter than production cartridges, case length 1.177", AOL same as today
Primer Type - Milbank (issues were with the floating firing pin impacting the Dimpled primer and with primers coming loose)
Original Loading - 40gr black powder
Notes - Apparently Oliver Winchester sent a letter to Colt dated January 1874 of the problems. Only a few Model 73's were assembled in 1873 (some reporting sn# up to 126) and others believe only between 7 to18 were shipped out by December 1873. Some report that sn#127 - sn#11,824 were produced before 1876, leaving quite a few possibilities for the early Custer Indian Wars previously mentioned in the History pages.
1874-1884
First and Last date loaded or offered -1873 to 1878
Headstamp Variation - no headstamp
Bullet Description - lead round nose flat point with two small lube grooves
Case Description - no special features, case head is a bit rounded like a donut.
Primer Type - No. 1
Original Loading - 40gr black powder
Notes - Early rim designs may differ, rounded edge vs flat edge
1884-1928 (small primer)
Here is a "W.R.A. Co. 44 W.C.F." headstamp with a small "o".
First and Last date loaded or offered - 1884 to 1928
Headstamp Variation - "W.R.A. Co. 44 W.C.F." variation "D".....note the top rounded portion of the "R" is fairly "fat" rather than elongated, and a very small "o".
Bullet Description - lead round nose flat point with two small lube grooves
Case Description - no special features
Primer Type - copper No. 1
Original Loading - 40gr black powder
Notes -
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.
First and Last date loaded or offered - 1910-1912
Headstamp Variation - "W.R.A. Co. 44 W.C.F." variation "A".....note the elongated "R", little "o" and serifs on the 44.
Bullet Description - Full Patch (A capital "W" was stamp on the bullet beginning in 1902 and ceased in Feb 1932)
Case Description - Stab Crimp, C.I.M. (Change In Manufacture) No.493, dated 21 March 1910, and was discontinued by C.I.M. No.1260, dated 15 July 1912.
Primer Type - copper No. 1 1/2
Original Loading - Dupont No. 2 smokeless rifle powder
Notes - This bullet was coated with tin but has long been buffed off
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.
First and Last date loaded or offered -
Headstamp Variation - "W.R.A. Co. 44 W.C.F." variation "F", note the elongated R, the CO letters are the same height and the dot in front of the ".44".
Bullet Description - Lead
Case Description - Cannelure
Primer Type - copper No. 1 1/2
Original Loading - Dupont No. 2
Notes -
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.
First and Last date loaded or offered - 1910-1912
Headstamp Variation - "W.R.A. Co. 44 W.C.F." variation "J".....note the elongated R, the angle of the A, the top of the C and O and no dot by 44.
Bullet Description - "W" Tin SP
Case Description - Stab Crimp, C.I.M. (Change In Manufacture) No.493, dated 21 March 1910, and was discontinued by C.I.M. No.1260, dated 15 July 1912.
Primer Type - copper No. 1 1/2
Original Loading - Unknown in this particular cartridge
Notes -
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
First and Last date loaded or offered - 1895-1925
Headstamp Variation - "W.R.A. Co. 44 W.C.F." variation "F"
Bullet Description - "W" Tin SP
Case Description - Cannelure
Primer Type - copper No. 1 1/2
Original Loading - Dupont No. 2
Notes - 16gr of Sharpshooter smokeless rifle powder
1903-1938
Headstamp Date - 1903-1923
Headstamp Variation - "W.R.A. Co. 44 W.H.V. M.92" variation "A"
Bullet Description - "W" Tin SP
Case Description - Cannelure
Primer Type - copper No. 1 1/2
Original Loading - 20.8gr of Sharpshooter smokeless rifle powder
Notes - This cartridge was included in a Draw Set with box dated 1903.
First and Last date loaded or offered - 1903-1923
Headstamp Variation - "W.R.A. Co. 44 W.H.V. M.92" variation "A"
Bullet Description - "W" Tin SP
Case Description - Knurl
Primer Type - No. 1 1/2
Original Loading - Sharpshooter
Notes -
First and Last date loaded or offered - 1923-1938
Headstamp Variation - "W.R.A. Co. 44 W.H.V. M.92" only variation of this large primer headstamp for this offering
Bullet Description - SP (The W stamp on the bullet started in 1902 and ceased in Feb 1932)
Case Description - Knurl
Primer Type - Large Oval
Original Loading - Sharpshooter
Notes -
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.
First and Last date loaded or offered - 1928-1942
Headstamp Variation - "W.R.A. Co. 44 W.H.V. M.92" The only variation of this large primer headstamp
Bullet Description - SP
Case Description - Knurl
Primer Type - Large Flat
Original Loading - Sharpshooter
Notes -
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.
First and Last date loaded or offered - 1928-1938
Headstamp Variation - "W.R.A. Co. 44 W.C.F." only one variation of this large primer headstamp for this offering
Bullet Description - SP
Case Description - Knurl
Primer Type - Large Oval
Original Loading - Sharpshooter
Notes -