The projectile crimp on “Ѧ 1941 VII” is twice as long as “RѦL1941 VII”. Why? Also the shoulder on “RѦL1941 VII” is a bit lower.
Hi Vlad - I’ve checked all of my early Radway Green (used the single broad arrow in 1940 and 1941 before changing the RG) and none of them have a neck crimp like the one you show. All have a standard length 3 crimp as shown on the Royal Laboratory round.
I can only guess that it somehow got fed through twice.
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The long ones are very nice and uniform, unlikely to be a double hit. Each round has 3 crimps. I am not sure if that small shoulder difference is related to the crimp. These 2 came from a .303 charger with mixed headstamps. The reason I am asking that the crimp is related to the internal pressure needed to dislodge the projectile. Does this mean that the powder loads of these 2 are different?
Another reason for crimps other than internal pressure release point & for these is just to keep the bullet in place during shipping, loading and unloading, and gun recoil.
Have you compared shoulder position of the ‘odd’ one to a ‘standard’ ?
With different bunters used to make the headstamp implies a different lot or machine or even line making these two. One could have slipped through inspection or was perhaps felt to be within tolerance & thus sent to the front.
The flea-O-flea SMLE is a firearm that tolerates a lot of flaws, in regard to safely for the shooter. Even though these were for the RAF tolerance or poor inspection might be the reason.
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I have several 1940 & 1941 from Radway Green with a mix of 3 long and 3 short crimps, most likley just line/plant set up
Richard.
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Vlad: Minor differences in shoulder location are of no significance with a rimmed cartridge (as long as the shoulder isn’t TOO high), as the rim thickness is the critical headspace distance to indicate short, normal, or long headspace. Jack
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