Please see this 38 Spec head stamp. Does anyone know what the S&W-F ("F") represents?
S&W cartridge headstamp
- Thread starter H Richard
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Loaded by Fiocchi ammo ?
The Last Standing Knight
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Didn't Federal used to load S&W ammo?
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S&W Fiocchi. Alcan ammunition and components company was purchased by S&W and Fiocchi as a joint venture in the 60's (IIRC). Fiocchi played a major part in the production of the ammo line. .... going by memory
Alk8944
US Veteran
desi 2358 is absolutely correct! S&W-F means Smith & Wesson-Fiocchi. A joint venture between S&W and Fiocchi during the time that S&W sold ammunition. S&W did buy Alcan as stated. Depending on time of manufacture you will see both S&W and S&W-F headstamps.
Federal never had anything to do with S&W ammunition
Federal never had anything to do with S&W ammunition
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Actually Federal did have a connection to S&W ammunition. They were one of the suppliers of cartridge cases to S&W-F and then S&W (but obviously not with the Federal head stamp). I believe Olin was also a supplier. After buying out Fiocchi's share of the business and closing down Alcan, S&W moved their ammo and component facilities to Rock Creek, OH where they produced loaded ammo, primers, and (I think) bullets. They sold the rights to Nyclad bullets to Federal in the 1980's. At one time I knew an older man who had worked at the Rock Creek plant and he told me in some detail what they did there.
Fiocchi went in on the deal because they made much of the Alcan products. Alcan 220 shotshell primers were their slightly lager primers still made today as Fiocchi 616s. Alcan sold Many other Fiocchi made products. It was only a 2 or 3 month partnership I think. I also seem to remember the Nyclad bullets were invented or sold by a reloading bullet concern called Aberts or Alberts before S&W...That may be wrong but I remember something like that
