The following markings and designation have been reported or met with in the course of examining captured German ammunition. Variations in the abbrevations and in the positi-ons and dimensions of marking are not uncommon, but the following appears to be the normal:–

The following letters, commonly used in German nomenclature, have the following mean-ings:–

n.A.

umg.

St.

In some instances the calibre given in the designation is not the actual calibre of the gun: for in????? the 10.5 cm medium gun is always known as the "s. 10 cm K 18".

The designation is stamped above the flange on nose fuzes and on the underside of base fuzes.

Nose fuzes, with the exception of one of the models used in 3.7 cm Pak (anti-tank gun) ammunition are designated in a numered series. In some instances – as, for example, the 23 fuze – there is more than one type of the model, but these are all designated under the same model number.

The letter "S" with an oblique stroke immediately in front of the fuze number indicates a mechanical fuze.

The letter "C" with an oblique stroke immdediately in front of the fuze number is found on fuzes from naval ammunition and older types of base fuzes of the igniferous type (these are probably also of naval origin).

The following letters are included in the designation of nose fuzes and precede the model number (or letter and number):–

The excepted 3.7 cm fuze referred to is designated "3,7 cm Kpf.Z.Zerl.P." The letters "Kpf.Z." indicate a nose fuze, while "Zerl.P." indicates the presence of a gunpowder pellet which is destroyed on firing to release a centrifugal safety device.

Base fuzes, except the older igniferous types, are designated to include the calibre of the equipment and the nature of projectile in which used. The following are typical ex-amples:–

Bd.Z. f. 7,5 cm Pzgr. – indicating base fuze for 7.5 cm armour-piercing projectile.

Bd.Z. f. 15 cm Gr. 18 Be – indicating base fuze for 15 cm anti-concrete shell model 19.

The following example of the older type of igniferous base fuze designated in a numbered series:–

Nose fuzes or base fuzes with a setting device for optional delay are stamped with the letters "M", "V" and "O" to indicate the positions to which the slot in the setting plug must be set to obtain either delay or non-delay action. With nose fuzes the "M" and the "V" are normally diametrically opposite and the plug is turned so that the slot in its head is aligned with them to obtain the "with delay" action. With base fuzes the "M" and "V" are stamped together as "MV" and the slot in the setting plug is aligned with this stamp-ing to obtain delay action. The "O" stamping indicates the setting position for "without delay".

The stamping setting letters are coloured red. With these types of fuzes the letter "V", followed by numerals enclosed in bracktes, is printed after the fuze number on package labels. The letter indicates delay, and the figures the period of delay.

The presence of a delay unit in the igniferous older type of base fuzes is not indicated by marking, but some of the oldest which are neither numbered nor designated by calibre, are stamped with the letters "m.V." on the underside. This marking indicate "with delay", i.e., a delay fitment not of the optional setting type.

Gaines are designated in a numbered series, sometimes with a letter and an oblique stroke immediately in front of the number, e.g.:–

Where paper wrappers are used, the marking "Zdlg" is also used as the designation for exploders and for the bursting charge similar to a long exploder which is used in smoke shell.

The designation "Rauchentwickler" is marked on the side of smoke boxes for H.E. shell.