The following article is from the April 1999 issue of the Military Rifle Journal.

While cleaning out my "gun supply" closet I "consolidated" my meager supply of Carcano clips. Upon examination I noted the following markings located at the positions shown in the drawing.

(* signifies a five pointed star)

It is possible that the number in position three (3) is the manufacturing date of the clip. It is not necessarily the date, in some cases, that the clip was loaded. I have an opened box of 6.5 ammunition "Armi Mo 91....Bologna FP 1923...". The clips are stamped S-B + B17. A 17 date ( .~) clip loaded six years and manufactured in 1923!

Based on the above table 1936 marked the change from brass to steel for clip manufacture. However, the above table leaves several questions unanswered:

When was the change from blued steel to 'unblued'?.

What companies (7) do the initials in position one (1) represent?

What does the "+" (position 2) represent?

What does the "*" (five-pointed star) represent?

What does the letter prefix to the left of the "date" represent? The same initials in position one seem to have the same letter prefix in position 3, ie. LN with C, BP with B.

And, what clip markings are in your collection?

Doss White, 4001 Windermere Dr, Tuscaloosa, AL 35405-2768, 205 5564)086, Fax 205 554-1070. email, namban@msn.com