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Teddydog
07-21-2010, 08:39
I took a chance and ordered some the Kynoch 577-450 ammo from Century. It was on sale and I ended up with 5 boxes to make a minimum order. The boxes are VERY fragile and the packing was VERY poor. 2 boxes were almost completely wrecked and the ammo loose in the shipping box. One had both end flaps ripped off but the ammo managed to stay inside. The other two are open, but still (barely) intact.

I couldn't find a clue on the box as to age. The back says "Manufactured at the KYNOCH FACTORIES of IMPERIAL CHEMICAL INDUSTRIES LIMITED METAL DIVISION, WITTON, BIRMINGHAM, ENGLAND." The front says they are Martini-Henry Rifle Cartridges and Smokeless Powder. Inside the yellow with red box is a cardboard tray and there is was paper between the rounds. The ammo is paper-patched lead (red paper) and the headstamp is simply "Kynoch" over "577/450".

I have enough that I will take one round apart out of curiosity.

Anyone know the age of this ammo? Where it came from? (I also bought some of the Kynoch .303 that SOG had and I assume they came from the same place. Those boxes are in better shape and contain "K" over "52" headstamp ammo.)

Anyone think these are safe to fire in a Mk III in good condition? I've only fired black powder out of it.

Rob
Teddydog
07-23-2010, 11:42
Pictures

http://www.teddydog.org/guns/577450_kynoch.jpg
http://www.teddydog.org/guns/577450_loose.jpg

I forgot to mention that I also bought a box each of Czech-made dummie rounds for 7.62 Tokarev and 7.62x39.

Rob
Art
07-24-2010, 12:38
I was surprised to find that Kynoch is still in business and that Midway U.S.A. is a partner with them. Perhaps you could contact them and they could give you some information.
Rick the Librarian
07-31-2010, 04:42
Looks like maybe 1950s stuff, from the packaging. I also have a Martini-Henry and would be curious to know if this stuff is safe to use. I ordered two boxes. I figured, if nothing else, it is worth ordering for the brass.
JBinIll
07-31-2010, 12:29
Looks like maybe 1950s stuff, from the packaging. I also have a Martini-Henry and would be curious to know if this stuff is safe to use. I ordered two boxes. I figured, if nothing else, it is worth ordering for the brass.

Most likely it's Berdan primed.
JBinIll
07-31-2010, 12:39
Anyone know the age of this ammo? Where it came from? (I also bought some of the Kynoch .303 that SOG had and I assume they came from the same place. Those boxes are in better shape and contain "K" over "52" headstamp ammo.)


Rob

Look carefully at the boxes.Kynoch boxes of that vintage will have a date code on them somewhere,Example:25 H Y which is for 25 Jan 1950.If you find it I have a chart and will look it up.
wiley
07-31-2010, 02:59
I got 10 boxes, on the back , near the bottom in the white stripe, they are stamped 11/49.
Rick the Librarian
08-01-2010, 05:58
Any idea if this is safe to shoot in a M/H rifle? I have a Mark II that I have used before, but only black powder.
JBinIll
08-01-2010, 12:22
Any idea if this is safe to shoot in a M/H rifle? I have a Mark II that I have used before, but only black powder.

According to the Kynoch information I have that loading indicated on the boxes pictured is the military loading for the M-H.The MV and ME figures are the same as the black powder military load.The lead bullet and paper patching pretty much indicate that.However,this is for informational purposes only as it's not my body or rifle involved.:hello:

Don't know if you can get information here on the loading but there is contact information listed http://www.kynochammunition.co.uk

Edit:There's a post about this ammunition on gunboards.com One of the posters disassembled a cartridge,corrosive primers and cordite loaded.
John Sukey
08-01-2010, 04:26
Consider the fact that those SAME 577-450 rifles were also converted to .303 and any concern about smokeless is irrelevant. The basic changes were rebarreling and bushing the firing pin hole to a smaller diameter.
Rick the Librarian
08-01-2010, 07:22
I ordered a couple of boxes because I thought it was worth it for the brass alone. Forgot about the small point of the ammo being Berden-primed! :icon_redface:
JBinIll
08-01-2010, 07:26
Consider the fact that those SAME 577-450 rifles were also converted to .303 and any concern about smokeless is irrelevant. The basic changes were rebarreling and bushing the firing pin hole to a smaller diameter.

Concern about shooting smokeless powder loadings in 100+ year old rifles made and designed around black powder loaded cartridges is always relevant unless safety doesn't factor into your thinking.
JBinIll
08-01-2010, 07:28
I ordered a couple of boxes because I thought it was worth it for the brass alone. Forgot about the small point of the ammo being Berden-primed! :icon_redface:

From the posts over on Gunboards this isn't real good stuff.Hang fires and split casing necks.