In order to participate in the GunBroker Member forums, you must be logged in with your GunBroker.com account. Click the sign-in button at the top right of the forums page to get connected.
Options
Help identifying a mysterious snap cap (headstamp reads F A 40NM)?
asparagustasty
Member Posts: 22 ✭
I like collecting snap caps, and recently I bought a whole lot of them of various calibers that have seen service in US military history at some point. However, I'm having trouble IDing one of them (they came in a plastic bag, so they weren't identified per-se). The one in question is in the middle, with a .30-40 Krag on the left, and a .30-06 on the right.
The headstamp reads F A 40NM, with the 40NM standing for national match 1940 so Google tells me. It also tells me that it's a .30-06, but as you can see from a side-by-side comparison, it's definitively much shorter than a .30-06, which is to the right of it.
Would a sharp eye be able to help me figure out what what this cartridge is?
Thanks in advance!
Comments
'looks like' it's reformed to 7.65x53mm (54) argentine to me
Did you check the bullet diameter? My guess is 8x57.
Sounds good. Yup, I believe your diagnosis is correct and that the case is a 7.65 Argentine that just had funky cases. I was just confused at first since it wouldn't chamber into any of my 1891 Argentines (which surprisingly two other batches I ordered from the same company chambered with no problem.
Here's a comparison to a 7.65 spitzer on the left and another 7.65 round-nose on the right made from PPU headstamped brass.
The seller offered a replacement for the cartridges though absolutely free of charge, so it all worked out in the end. Thanks again for the diagnosis.
I believe that after comparing it to some other snap caps that I've had, the round seems to be a 7.65x54 since the 7.92x57 round noses have a slightly longer case as well. With that said, it seems it's definitely time for me to buy me some calipers for the future, so thanks for the heads up.
It's not real military issue, just a fired case, range pickup??, with a plastic insert in primer pocket. made up by someone.