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If you can add other headstamps please send via email and I
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USA SHOTSHELLS
(Please note:
Headstamps may have one or both of the markings listed. EX: A Western
Field shotshell may have just "Western" on the brass, while the same type
of shell may also be marked "Western Field" on another base). The second name
generally represents the brand name or product line of the shotshell and may be
either stamped on the base or written on the shellge case itself. Some US shotshell
manufacturers used a steel base instead of brass, mainly during WWII. (Dates after shells indicate dates of
known manufacture. Dates after company name indicates known dates of the company
being in business.
An * after the shell represents the shell is generally
a brass shotshell, but the headstamp may possibly be found on others)
Some photo's supplied by our friends at aussiemetaldetecting.com
A special Thank
you to Mike, Rene Polman, David Frederickson, Jim Buchanan & Bob Ruebel who provided
many photo's on
this page.
NOTE: Generally with US shotshells, those labelled for instance as No 12 as opposed to those labelled as 12 GA, the former is generally older. By the 1950's most companies labelled the headstamp as the # GA. (12 GA, 20 GA etc.) Hover over picture, notes will display if there are any.
ACTIV Industries
Information from Fede of the I.A.A
This cartridge case is a Spanish design that goes back to 1972 and “Zigor”, the original brand that manufactured them in Vitoria, Spain (first marketed in 1978). In the Basque language it’s a common name that means “scourge” or “punishment”, thus the man with a whip. Later they joined forces with another Spanish shotshell manufacturer named CTL and became CTL-Activ, S.A. In 1994, where the latter established a manufacturing branch in Argentina, first using imported cases and later making them at their own factory (molds purchased from Kent-Gamebore). During many years their plant was located inside the premises of FM Fray Luis Beltrán in Santa Fé. In 2011 they moved to a new facility in the province of Entre Ríos. This explains why you can find FLB cartridges using Activ made cases. Their history in the US started in 1980 under a company named J. C. L. Zigor Corp. that was established in Kearneysville, West Virginia. In 1985 changed their name to Activ Industries, Inc. and in 1997 was purchased and renamed Kent-Gamebore Corp. (now Kent Cartridge America, Inc.). The “Activ” trademark was applied in the US by a company registered in Puerto Rico named Rainel de Puerto Rico Inc., that also had a branch in Madison, Connecticut.
ALCAN (Alcan
Cartridge Company, ALTON, IL
1951 - 1971
purchased by Fiocchi and S&W
AMERICAN
AMMUNITION CO. Kansas City, MO
(1910 - 1922) later became part of Federal. Prior was the Standard Shell & Cartridge Co.
AMERICAN
BUCKLE and CARTRIDGE Co., West Haven, CT
1884-1889, was then
purchased by the Ammunition Manufacturers Association (Winchester and USC Co.)
Metal Hulls
AMERICAN
CARTRIDGE and AMMUNITION CO., Kansas City, MO
1921 - late 1930's
AUSTIN
CARTRIDGE Co. Cleveland, OH
1895 - 1909. Was then purchased by the Western cartridge Company
Modern. First two samples are their current style.
(1904 to 1930's, owned and operated by Sears Roebuck, shells usually made by Federal). See Sears for more headstamps and information.
1860 - 1888. Only made 10 and 12 gauge.
FEDERAL CARTRIDGE COMPANY, ANOKA, MN
1916 to present. Prior to 1922 was called Federal Cartridge and Machine Co. with Federal Headstamps. Was owned by ATK (along with Speer, Estate, RCBS, Weaver etc. As of 2023 the Sporting division of ATK has been sold to a Czech company called Czechoslovak Group a.s. (CSG), Prague, Czechia.
(Ammunition 1929 - 1979) Mainly made by Federal but some made by Peters.
GEORGE E. HART & CO., Newark, NJ.
Circa 1869 - late 1870's. All were Brass casings.
(Headstamp used from 1959 - present, although now the name is being used by Cabela's. It is not the same as the original company (last 3 shown). Herter's sporting equipment went bankrupt in 1981 and Cabela's purchased some of their factories (decoys) and their trade name.
MONTGOMERY WARDS, CHICAGO, IL.
Hawthorne, Redhead
Go To PagePETERS, KINGS MILLS, OH
1887 to 1934, combined with Remington in 1934.
Go To PageREMINGTON ARMS, ILION NY, BIRDGEPORT, CT & LONOKE, AR
(E Remington: 1870-1890. Remington 1890-1911 then combined with UMC to form REM-UMC from 1911-1934. 1934 Dupont buys out Rem-UMC & Peters to form Remington Arms Co. Remington went bankrupt in 2020 and the name was purchased by Vista Outdoors, ATK's ammunition company line which owns Federal, Blazer, Speer, CCi, Estate cartridge Co., Hevi-Shot, RCBS and others. As of 2023 the Sporting division of ATK has been sold to a Czech company called Czechoslovak Group a.s. (CSG), Prague, Czechia.
Go To PageROBIN HOOD POWDER COMPANY, SWANTON, VT
Later called Robin Hood Arms Co.
(1887 to 1916)
SEARS & ROEBUCK CO., CHICAGO, IL
Go To PageUNION METALLIC COMPANY, BRIDGEPORT CT.
(E Remington: 1870-1890. Remington 1890-1911 then combined with UMC to form REM-UMC from 1911-1934. 1934 Dupont buys out Rem-UMC & Peters to form Remington Arms Co. Remington went bankrupt in 2020 and the name was purchased by Vista Outdoors, ATK's ammunition company line which owns Federal, Blazer, Speer, CCi, Estate cartridge Co., Hevi-Shot, RCBS and others. As of 2023 the Sporting division of ATK has been sold to a Czech company called Czechoslovak Group a.s. (CSG), Prague, Czechia.
Go To PageUNITED STATES CARTRIDGE COMPANY (USC), LOWELL. MA
1864 to 1926, then purchased by Winchester Western. Headstamps may have periods in between letters.
Go To PageWANDA CARTRIDGES, HOUSTON, TX
Founded in 1965 as the Continental Shell Company but changed names to Wanda Cartridge Company in 1967. Out of business in 1972. The 20 gauge were first made in yellow and were changed to the green color in 1971.
WESTERN AUTO
Sold ammunition made by Federal cartridge Company for them from 1955 to the 1980's under the brand name of "Revelations"
WESTERN CARTRIDGE COMPANY, EAST ALTON, IL
1898 to 1932. In 1932 Western purchased WRA Co. to form Winchester Western which lasted until 1944. In 1944 Olin Industries re-organized the company in to Winchester Western Division of the Olin Industries.
Go To PageWINCHESTER REPEATING ARMS COMPANY, NEW HAVEN, CT
Formerly New Haven Arms from 1860 to 1866. From 1866 to 1932 operated as The Winchester Repeating Arms Company until it was purchased by Western in 1932. In 1932 became Winchester Western which lasted until 1944. In 1944 Olin Industries re-organized the company in to Winchester Western Division of the Olin Industries. Many names and ownerships past WW2.
Go To PageMORE US HEADSTAMPS
in brackets is
the company name who makes the shell,
a "?" denotes that I can not find who
the actual maker is.
A "*" or the word brass denotes a Metal Hull.
