Identifying spam cans

[Scutter01]

So, I bought a spam can of 7.62x54r ammo from pappy56 today, and I got to looking at the cans I have now and I started wondering what all of the markings on the lids mean. Does anyone know of an online guide to identifying spam cans?

 

[Dryden]

You got me curious enough to go down the basement and look at the cans I got back in 1978. Besides the caliber and number of rounds, and the lot number, there's two markings....
one looks just like a women's bra streched out flat (I kid you not) and the other looks like a rear sight V-notch on a cheap .22 rifle.

I never noticed these before. I guess as a dumb enlisted Airman, I've been trained not to ask questions.

 

[Scutter01]

Here's the one I bought today. I mean, the 7.62 is obvious (although is it x39? x54r?) and the round count (440), but I have no clue what the other markings are.

 

[Dryden]

Tell you the truth, I'm not sure that's an American ammo can. The shape and color seem odd and the lettering makes no sense.
Well, at least it ain't Chinese.

 

[Scutter01]

Tell you the truth, I'm not sure that's an American ammo can. The shape and color seem odd and the lettering makes no sense.
Well, at least it ain't Chinese.

It's not American. It's surplus Eastern-bloc 7.62x54r ammo.

 

[POTI]

isnt that hungarian?

 

[Don]

Its heavy ball, steel core Hungarian 1975 made.


Hungarian 1975 7.62x54r Steel Core Heavy Ball

 

[Clay]

yup, yellow and silver tip.

 

[Scutter01]

I know what kind of ammo it is. For the purposes of this discussion, I'm more interested in the markings on the can.

 

[Clay]

The AK Forum

lots of guys over there know this stuff, Ive seen this question answered a few times in the short period Ive been a member.

 

[Scutter01]

Here's a link to a hard-to-read declassified Defense Intelligence Agency document from the 80's on identifying small-arms ammo. It's slightly useful.

http://www.dia.mil/publicaffairs/Foia/smcal_vol1.pdf

 

[2cool9031]

Scutter knows what it is.....but what if you came across a bunch of cans that you didn't know what was in them? Sure you can open them and find out, but what if you had to buy them first? You may end-up with a lot of ammo you don't have a use for.