Stamped Markings
Whether it has stenciled markings or not, most ammunition will have stamped markings somewhere on the item
body. (Major exceptions to this practice are blasting caps and bulk explosive items.) These markings must, at a
minimum, include the caliber or size of the round (such as "105-millimeter") and the model number (such as "M-
1"). In some cases, they may also include the filler (such as "HE" or "white phosphorous [WP]"). Care must be
taken when using stamped markings for identification purposes. Components attached to a round (such as a
cartridge case, fin assemblies, or fuzing) will also have stamped markings. The general exception to this is small
arms ammunition, which has the manufacturer's symbol and the date of manufacture stamped on the head of the
cartridge case.
The following paragraphs describe the general areas where stamped markings are found on various types of
ammunition.
Small Arms. The head stamp is located on the cartridge case head.
Fixed Artillery and 40-Millimeter Cartridges. The markings are located just above the rotating band.
Semi-Fixed and Separate-Loading Ammunition. The markings are located just above or below the rotating
band.
Land Mines. The markings are located around the edge of the primary fuze well.
Rockets and Guided Missiles. Most of these items are currently stored in sealed containers or pods.
However, these items have stamped markings on their bodies just forward of the warhead/rocket motor junction.
AMMUNITION COMPONENT TRACKING
As previously mentioned, many components physically attached to a round of ammunition have model numbers
or lot numbers stamped on them. These numbers identify the components only. In addition to the obvious
components, an item may also contain numerous internal components. In order to track an ammunition
component, a DD Form 1650 (Ammunition Data Card) is used. An example of a completed DD Form 1650 is
shown in Figure 1-2. The DD Form 1650 is generated at the time the ammunition item is loaded, assembled, or
packed. With the exception of small arms ammunition, a DD Form 1650 is prepared for each lot of ammunition
manufactured. It is prepared by the manufacturer and furnished to each recipient of a shipment of that
ammunition. The DD Form 1650 also provides a brief history of any reworks performed on the item.
The completed DD Form 1650 should contain the following information:
The complete item nomenclature, NSN, DODIC, lot number, and quantity.
Manufacturer, drawing, specification, and packaging data.
Components, including nomenclature, model numbers, lot numbers, and component drawing numbers.
Remarks regarding any reworks or modifications accomplished on the items.
MM0145
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