Spam Can Ammo Question

[WFJones]

Newb here---local to Californicate-Ya (if you own weapons)...

Perhaps someone hereabouts can maybe steer me in the right direction for some info on Spam Can 30 cal. Ap M2 Lot# dating?

I was going through my storage unit looking for some stuff, and ran into a can I have had for a good many years...fact is, I kinda forgot that I did have it! CRS can sneak up on ya, doncha know...

Anyway, the can is in pristine, even "mint" condition, and never opened, so I couldn't say just what the head stamps reveal.

The exterior of the can reads:

"192 CARTRIDGES
CAL .30 AP M2
8 RD CLIPS
BANDOLEERS
Lot SL 9978"

I have bumped into enough info around the Net to recognize that this ammo was produced by a company in St. Louis, Missouri, hence the "SL" lot #.

Also, I THINK it is non-corrosive primers in all probability...but have seen some information that goes against that assumption, perhaps.

Any info would be greatly appreciated, since I don't really want to open the can to look at them thar head stamps...But like a "Chick", I just got's to know!!

Thanks you!!

Jones

[FLIGHT762]

Your M2 AP may or may not be corrosive depending the date of manufacture. CMP on their website notes that all 1953 SL headstamps are safe to say it is non corrosive.

According to some sources, SL started making non corrosive primed M-2 AP starting in these lot numbers:
SL Lot Number 9420 9467 7025
Acceptance Date May-52 Jul-52 Sep-52

Your lot number is 9978 and is a higher lot number and may be a 1953 lot. The only way to know is to open the can and check a headstamp.

To be sure, I'd treat any lot in 1952 as corrosive. I've shot a lot of corrosive M-2 ball and AP through my Garands and 1903's without any problems with rusting. I just clean with a water and soap based cleaner, dry off and then clean with regular bore cleaner and then oil.

By the way, I also have a stashed can of M-2 AP in the 192 round spam can.

[WFJones]

Flight,

Thank you much for the reply!! I did run into pretty much that same info via my wanderings....I also ran into a Site (shoulda Bookmarked it too), that claimed the St. Louis factory picked up stakes and moved elsewhere 'roundabouts 1945...and henceforth their production Lot #'s were listed after the move, thusly:

SL*#####....but I have yet to see that claim made anywhere else, or a SPAM CAN bearing that mark...

But that Site had led me to believe upon reading the location change, that ANY Lot #'s sans the asterisk would logically be '45 or earlier....but then, again while further cruising around I found clear evidence that SL was still making ammo under the Lot# designation... SL, well into the 50's.

I don't have a garand any longer, since someone took the liberty of helping me to relinquish my possesion of it years back---In short, it got ripped off.

Used to deer hunt with that rifle...and I kinda have missed having one over the years.

I was thinking about opening the can, and putting the ammo aside with other ammo I have, "just in case"...and near as I can tell, "just in case" is looking ever closer in today's political atmosphere...and it'll work jes' fine in my sportorized American Enfield...ya know?

So far as "corrosive" goes...heck, just as we used to drag our M-14's into the shower, and give 'em a good hot "bath" during Basic Training back in '69, hot water still is the enemy of "corrosive" additives--- so a little trip down "memory lane", with me and my weapon, in the shower together again, may be in order, if and when I pop some of them caps, and they turn out to be the "corrosive" types.

Thanks again...and I really would like to dial in an individual YEAR of manufacture, without the multi-year encompassing hyphen!

Jones