Answer
The headstamp on a cartridge is composed of the markings stamped on the head of the cartridge by the manufacturer of small arms ammunition. On civilian ammunition it usually consists of a trademark or company name of some sort, and the caliber of the cartridge. I have never seen a commercially made cartridge intended for civilian use that didn't have a headstamp. If I did, I'd be wary of it, as it's easy to confuse some cartridges for ammunition meant for an entirely different firearm. It doesn't take rocket science to see how that could cause a problem. Additionally, I would be concerned that it was ammunition from a substandard batch, or made with loading machinery that wasn't working correctly. That too could cause a malfunction or worse. Some rimfire ammunition that I have seen in .22 long rifle caliber didn't have headstamps, if memory serves. In this case, there's little chance of mistaking it for a different caliber, and stamping might require a heavier gauge of brass case than a manufacturer might want to use on, say, a batch of cheap promotional ammunition that is not reloadable, which rimfires are not. In any case but a rimfire, I would avoid using the ammunition unless I were absolutely certain what caliber it was, if it's civilian or military, what company manufactured it, and anything else I could learn about it. Even with a rimfire, you can run into unexpected situations, though. I've seen .22 long rifle ammunition imported from Russia with steel cases, instead of the traditional brass. I'd think it's unlikely, but the steel cases might cause accelerated wear on the actions of firearms used to shoot it Military ammunition is a different situation. Especially since a lot of it is imported from any number of different countries, many with their own quality control and manufacturing standards for quality, accuracy, power, corrosive or non-corrosive priming and so on, that also extends to headstamps. Some are in foreign languages, making them tough to identify for many of us. I have never seen a military cartridge without a headstamp either. So, unless it's .22 ammunition, ammunition without a headstamp would be a signal for me to be very cautious about using it. Headstamps can be used to indicate lot numbers, location of manufacture, and other important information. But, I have no recollection of ever having seen cartridges with no headstamp except rimfires. Antique ammuntion, or ammunition made at a much earlier time, might not have headstamps, but again I've never seen it. The rimfire .44 caliber cartridge made for the Henry rifle during the Civil War would be a possible example. Hopefully there's a cartridge collector out there who can clear this up.
Answer
The usual reason that cartridges do not have a headstamp is to avoid identification of the manufacturer when the rounds are recovered from a war zone. These are known as "clandestine" rounds and there are many examples.
Portugal manufactured large quantities of 7.92mm without headstamps in the 1970s. The US manufactured plain 7.62 x 39mm AK ammo at Lake City Ordnance plant for clandestine use.
At other times false headstamps were used to confuse. Two well known examples are:
China manufactured steel cased 7.62mm Nato rounds with a false British Radway Green headstamp and I think a 1969 date.
Bombrini Parodi Delfino (Italy) disguised their contract for .303 for Egypt in the 1950's by "moving" their normal headstamp of BPD backwards one letter to AOC and using a false Arabic date of 1240 which is 1924 in the western calender.
There are many other examples of ammunition with no manufacturer shown, for example just the calibre, e.g. "7.92". These were from the Spanish Civil war and were manufactured in Germany for the nationalists.
Finally, all Japanese small arms ammunition for the Army and Air Force in 6.5, 7.7 semi rimmed and 7.7 rimless had plain headstamps. Only the box label identified details. Only Japanese Navy 7.7mm rimmed (.303) was headstamped.
I hope this helps. Any queries email me at aoe.303@tesco.net
Answer
As an archaeologist I encounter cartridges all the time without headstamps which are quite frustrating since they are excellent for getting dates on sites. Most common are .22 cal without headstamps but centerfire pistol cartridges without are also quite common. I have never seen a rifle cartridge without a headstamp. Cartridges without headstamps are generally pre-1930s but that date is shaky and there are many exceptions.
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