South Africa Created and Edited By Roger E. Huegel 2013 Map and flag from Wikipedia.org
INTRODUCTION.The Republic of South Africa, located at the southern tip of the African continent has an area of 471,443 Sq. miles. It has a population of 51.7 million people. Capital is Cape Town. Major industries are Diamonds, fruit and vegetables, copper, iron and steel are exported. The Republic of South Africa was established on May 31, 1961 after years as part of the British Empire. RMC, in Philippi near Cape Town, started producing.22s in 1966..22 production came to an end in 2005 because of a fire at the Swartklip factory in 2002 Because the factory was in a residential area they expedited the closing. IMPERIAL CHEMICAL INDUSTRIES (ELEY KYNOCH). This British manufacturer produced boxes for export to south Africa with special packaging for their markets. The boxes were in both English and Afrikaans. These may have been produced while South Africa was still part of the British Empire before 1961. RONDEN MANUFACTURING COMPANY (RMC). RMC started producing.22 ammo in 1966.. All their boxes were in both English and Afrikaans. In 1971 they were bought out by Amscor and renamed Swartklip Products.. The RMC company was bought by Amscor in 1971 and their name was changed to Swartklip after a black rock in the area. This is NOT a Dunn remake It is an original document based on the three publications listed in the Bibliography
HEADSTAMPS (h/s) Headstamp drawings courtesy George Kass's Headstamp Guide. 2-38 M-10 RMC RM-2 SP-3 SP-10 E IC-2 Polaris THANKS Special thanks to the following collectors for helping me with this project by supplying me with box images and sharing their knowledge. Presented in alphabetical order. B C D C G D P G J -P G J H R M D N W R C S BIBLIOGRAPHY.22 Boxes of the World, by Tony Dunn Some notes on South African.22RF boxes, by Anton W. Bredell.22 Rimfire Ammunition in South Africa, by A.J. Van Wyk
IMPERIAL CHEMICAL INDUSTRIES LR-1 Reversed Side ICI-1
IMPERIAL CHEMICAL INDUSTRIES These boxes were manufactured by Imperial Chemical Industries and imported into South Africa prior to 1966. The only indication that they were produced fro South Africa is the bilingual printing in both English and Afrikaans. The end flaps show a rabbit and a deer. In later boxes the deer has been replaced by a rabbit as on the later Eley boxes. LR-1.22 LONG RIFLE (HIGH VELOCITY)."ICI". Red and black box with yellow printing. One-piece box with end flaps. No product; code. Contents are unknown. ICI h/s. Old Style Newer Style ICI-1
RONDEN MANUFACTURING Co. Man with Rifle S-1 LR-1 R*M*C S-2 LR-2 RMC-1
RONDEN MANUFACTURING Co. Man with Rifle The first issue was a red, box with blue design and black and white printing. A man with a rifle is pictured, on the top. These were available only in Long Rifle and Short and only in high velocity "RMC" h/s All RMC boxes were bilingual in Afrikaans and English 1966 S-1.22 SHORT (HIGH VELOCITY). LR-1.22 LONG RIFLE (HIGH VELOCITY). The second issue was the same design only a green box with red, black and white print ing. Targets on the side panels in standard velocity. "RM-2" h/s. S-1.22 SHORT (STANDARD VELOCITY). LR-2 22 LONG RIFLE (STANDARD VELOCITY) RMC-1
RONDEN MANUFACTURING Co. Cadet Boxes LR-1 LR-2 R*M*C RMC-2
RONDEN MANUFACTURING Co. Cadet Boxes In 1983 RMC produced boxes for school cadets, the military and the police. They were made in different shades of colors and a single bar. Later these were produced by SP with just the name changed. LR-1.22 LONG RIFLE (STANDARD VELOCITY). Yellow box with green bar. White and green printing. LR-2.22 LONG RIFLE (STANDARD VELOCITY)..22 LONG RIFLE. (STANDARD VELOCITY). Yellow-brown box with white, black ad yellow printing. Large, one-piece box with end flaps. No product code.. "SP-3" h/s on a brass case. Lead bullet. RMC-2
RONDEN MANUFACTURING Co. RMC-"Gold on Left" Series LR-1 LR-2 R*M*C LR-3 NO IMAGE AVAILABLE LR-4 RMC-3
RONDEN MANUFACTURING Co. RMC-"Gold on Left" Series RMC changed to a gold colored panel on the left side of the box with different colors on the right side to indicate different loadings. The logo is now an RMC in a circle. "RM-2" headstamp. LR-1.22 LONG RIFLE (HIGH VELOCITY). Right side of box is maroon. LR-2.22 LONG RIFLE (STANDARD VELOCITY). Right side of box is dark green. LR-3.22 LONG RIFLE (STANDARD VELOCITY). "PISTOL MATCH". Right side of box is blue. LR-4.22 LONG RIFLE (STANDARD VELOCITY). "TRUE SHOT". Right side of box is blue. RMC-3
SP-"Beige on Left" Series S-1 NO IMAGE AVAILABLE S-2 Swartklip Products S-3 S-4 SP-1
SP-"Beige on Left" Series In September of 1971 Amscor purchased RMC and renamed it Swartklip. Same as the "RMC-Gold on Left "boxes except the change to the SP in a circle logo and the "SP-3" headstamp. In 1973 the range was changed to kilometers but older boxes will be in miles. Gold now described as beige. Early boxes had a dot in front of the 22 on top. Later boxes did not have the dot. S-1.22 SHORT (HIGH VELOCITY). Beige on left, Magenta on right. S-2.22 SHORT (STANDARD VELOCITY). Orange on left, blue-black on right. "SP-2" h/s. S-3.22 SHORT (STANDARD VELOCITY). Beige on left, blue on right. S-4.22 SHORT (STANDARD VELOCITY). Same as S-3 but has dot in front of 22. SP-1
SP-"Beige on Left" Series LR-1 LR-2 Swartklip Products SP-1
SP-"Beige on Left" Series LR-1.22 LONG RIFLE (HIGH VELOCITY). Right side of box is maroon. White dot to left of 22. SP-3 h/s on brass case. Solid bullet with 1K. LR-2.22 LONG RIFLE (HIGH VELOCITY). Right side of box is listed as being magenta. SP-1
SP-"Beige on Left" Series LR-3 LR-3.5 Swartklip Products LR-4 LR-5 NO IMAGE AVAILABLE SP-1
SP-"Beige on Left" Series LR-3.22 LONG RIFLE (STANDARD VELOCITY). Right side of box is blue. SP-3 h/s on brass case. Solid bullet with 1K. LR-3.5.22 LONG RIFLE (STANDARD VELOCITY). Color variation of LR-3. LR-4.22 LONG RIFLE (STANDARD VELOCITY). Same as LR-3 but has dot in front of 22. LR-5.22 LONG RIFLE (STANDARD VELOCITY). "TRU SHOT" Right side of box is blue with gold "TRU SHOT" sticker.. SP-1
"Large Wreath" S-1 S-2 Swartklip Products SP-2
"Large Wreath" S-1.22 SHORT (HIGH VELOCITY). Brown box with orange-gold and white printing. "SP-3" h/s on a brass case.. Early boxes had a white dot in front of the 22. S-2.22 SHORT (HIGH VELOCITY). Brown box with orange-gold and white printing. "SP-3" h/s on a brass case.. No white dot in front of the 22. SP-2
Cadet Boxes LR-1 Swartklip Products SP-3
Cadet Boxes In 1983 RMC produced boxes for school cadets, the military and the police. They were made in different shades of colors and a single bar. Later these were produced by SP with just the name changed. LR-1.22 LONG RIFLE. (STANDARD VELOCITY). Yellow-brown box with white, black ad yellow printing. Large, one-piece box with end flaps. No product code.. "SP-3" h/s on a brass case. Lead bullet. SP-3
"Four Bars" S-1 S-2 Swartklip Products S-3 SP-4
"Four Bars" In 1983 Swartklip changed to a white box with four colored bars. The headstamps are now a stylized "S" (SP-10 h/s). Long Rifle in now in Afriikaans "Lank, Geweer" The large "S" on the box top can range from dark blue to light blue. Boxes may have CIP proof mark. Boxes may be sealed with transparent tape with the blue "S" trade mark. S-1.22 SHORT (HIGH VELOCITY). Brown bars. CIP on both sides. Sealed with tape with blue S.. S-2.22 SHORT (STANDARD VELOCITY). Yellow bars with brown print. CIP proof mark on top. Sealed with transparent tape with blue logo. Range is 1.25 km. S-3.22 SHORT (STANDARD VELOCITY). Like S-2 but without CIP proof mark on top but CIP is on bottom. on same line as the 50. SP-4
"Four Bars" LR-1 (a) LR-1 (b) Swartklip Products LR-1 (c) SP-4
"Four Bars" LR-1.22 LONG RIFLE (HIGH VELOCITY). Green bars. Range is 2.5 km. Variations: (a) No CIP. (b) CIP on bottom only on the 50 line (c) CIP on top and bottom on the Swartklip line. SP-4
"Four Bars" LR-2 LR-3 (a) Swartklip Products LR-3 (b) LR-4 SP-4
"Four Bars" LR-2.22 LONG RIFLE (STANDARD VELOCITY). Light blue bars. CIP on Afrikaans side only Sealed with tape with blue S. LR-3.22 LONG RIFLE (STANDARD VELOCITY). Indigo blue bars. Sealed with tape with blue S. Variations: (a) No CIP (b) CIP on both sides on the Swartklip line. LR-4.22 LONG RIFLE (STANDARD VELOCITY). LR-3 box stamped PROOF on top. SP-4
"Four Bars" LR-5 LR-6 Swartklip Products LR-7 NO IMAGE AVAILABLE LR-8 SP-4
"Four Bars" LR-5.22 LONG RIFLE (STANDARD VELOCITY). "SPECIAL MATCH GRADE" in gold sticker. CIP on both sides. Sealed with tape with blue S. LR-6.22 LONG RIFLE (STANDARD VELOCITY). "MATCH". 50 moved to left and MATCH printed in red next to it. CIP on both sides. Sealed with tape with blue S. LR-7.22 LONG RIFLE (STANDARD VELOCITY). "TRUE SHOT GRADE"". 50 moved to left and TRUE SHOT GRADE printed in red. Next to it CIP on both sides. Sealed with tape with blue S. LR-8.22 LONG RIFLE (HOLLOW POINT). Orange bars. Red HOLLOW POINT. CIP on both sides. Cartridge tray is green. SP-4
"Four Bars" LR-9 Swartklip Products SP-4
"Four Bars" LR-9.22 LONG RIFLE (HYPER VELOCITY). "BLITSER" Red bars. BLITSER printed in red with a red lightning bolt. "2-38" h/s on a nickel case. 36. gr bullet.. No CIP. Can be sealed or not sealed. Range is 2.5 km. SP-4
"Four Bars" - English Only LR-1 LR-2 Swartklip Products NO IMAGE AVAILABLE LR-3 NO IMAGE AVAILABLE SP-5
"Four Bars" - English Only Same basic design as the 4-Bar bilingual boxes but in English only "Firearm Code 1,4 S" in top right corner. No CIP signs and boxes are not sealed. The bar design is also on the left end. Right end contains address. Only three boxes are known at this time. LR-1.22 LONG RIFLE (HIGH VELOCITY-HOLLOW POINT). Orange bars with HOLLOW POINT in red. End flaps have a Caution Range 1 1/2 Miles in red. "M-10" h/s. Address on end reads: Armscor of R.S.A. Swartklip Division, Republic of South Africa, Imported by Armscorp of America, Kensington, Maryland 20895. LR-2.22 LONG RIFLE (STANDARD VELOCITY). Bistre (brown) bars.. The 50 is farther down the box than LR-1. No range warning on end flaps. End flap states: Manufactured by, Swartklip Products Republic of South Africa, for Armscorp of America. LR-3.22 LONG RIFLE (STANDARD VELOCITY). "TRUE SHOT GRADE". Same as LR-2 but has a gold sticker on top only that says TRUE SHOT GRADE. SP-5
"Five Bars" - English Only LR-1 LR-2 Swartklip Products LR-3 SP-6
"Five Bars" - English Only Wording in English only. "Firearms Code 1,4 S" in top right corner. Combinations of blue and brown bars. No CIP symbols or sealing tape. Only these three variations are know to exist. Designs also printed on end flaps. One flap has name and address on it. Also sold in S.A. LR-1.22 LONG RIFLE (HIGH VELOCITY). Three brown bars and one blue bar. "M-10 "h/s. LR-2.22 LONG RIFLE (STANDARD VELOCITY). Three blue bars and one brown bar. "SP-10"h/s. on brass case. Lead bullet. LR-3.22 LONG RIFLE (STANDARD VELOCITY). "TRUE SHOT GRADE" Three blue bars and one brown bar. TRUE SHOT GRADE in gold sticker. "SP-10"h/s. on brass case. Lead bullet. SP-6
"Two Bars" - Plastic Box S-1 S-2 Swartklip Products LR-1 LR-2 SP-7
"Two Bars" - Plastic Box When Eley switched to two-piece plastic boxes Swartklip followed suite. The bilingual boxes now had only two colored bars to indicate the different loadings. Bottom of box is embossed with: Manufactured by, Swartklip Products (Pty) Ltd, P.O. Box 977 Cape Town 9000 R.S.A., Warning Use only in suitable weapons in good condition. Range 2.5 km. Also, all but address is in Afrikaans Left end of box has KEEP OUT OF REACH OF CHILDREN in red print.. Right flap has batch number sticker. S-1.22 SHORT (HIGH VELOCITY). Brown bars. Short box same height as Long Rifle box. S-2.22 SHORT (STANDARD VELOCITY). Yellow bars. Short box same height as Long Rifle box. LR-1.22 LONG RIFLE (HIGH VELOCITY). Green bars. SP-10 h/s on brass case. Solid bullet with 1K. LR-2.22 LONG RIFLE (STANDARD VELOCITY). Indigo bars. SP-7
"Two Bars" - Plastic Box LR-3 LR-4 Swartklip Products LR-5 LR-6 SP-7
"Two Bars" - Plastic Box LR-3.22 LONG RIFLE (HOLLOW POINT). Red bars. LR-4.22 LONG RIFLE (SUBSONIC). Gray bars. No proof sign.. LR-5.22 LONG RIFLE (HYPER VELOCITY). :BLITSER". Red bars. BLITSER and lightening bolt in red. LR-6.22 LONG RIFLE (MATCH). Green bars. SP-7
"One Bar" - Plastic Box LR-1 LR-1.5 Swartklip Products LR-2 LR-3 SP-8
"One Bar" - Plastic Box The next version of plastic box only had one colored bar plus the SABS (South African Bureau of Standards) and the DENEL logo. Black plastic sliding lid with white over-label in a clear plastic bottom.. Top labels have the large blue "S" logo. LR-1.22 LONG RIFLE (STANDARD VELOCITY). SWARTKLIP and bar in ultra marine blue. LONG RIFLE STANDARD VELOCITY in both South African and English on top label. LR-1.5.22 LONG RIFLE (STANDARD VELOCITY). Same as LR-1 except has over-label on top label LR-2.22 LONG RIFLE (STANDARD VELOCITY) Bar in marine blue. English only. Proof sign on top. LR-3.22 LONG RIFLE (HYPER VELOCITY). "BLITZER". Red bar and lightening bolt.. SWARTKLIP in bright blue. Proof sign on top. SP-8
"One Bar" - Plastic Box LR-4 LR-5 Swartklip Products LR-6 LR-7 SP-8
"One Bar" - Plastic Box LR-4.22 LONG RIFLE (SUBSONIC) Swarklip in blue. Gray bar. LR-5.22 LONG RIFLE (HIGH VELOCITY) Swarklip in blue. Blue bar. LR-6.22 LONG RIFLE (HOLLOW POINT) Swarklip in blue. Blue bar. LR-7.22 LONG RIFLE (HOLLOW POINT) Swarklip in blue. Orange bar. SP-8
"One Bar" - Cardboard Box LR-1 LR-2 Swartklip Products LR-3 SP-9
"One Bar" - Cardboard Box Paper box and tray. Cartridges packed head to toe. No color distinctions anymore. All boxes the same. In English only. All print in blue except loadings in red. Lot number on one end and CIP and warning on other end. The newer box style also had a fatter, more round 22 on top. Old style New Style CIP sign and SABS 1490 or newer SABSwith ISO 9001 on top Old style New Style Two versions of DENEL used. One is a blunt bullet shape and one is more pointed. Old style New Style All ends are the same. LR-1 22 LONG RIFLE (HIGH VELOCITY). LR-2 22 LONG RIFLE (HIGH VELOCITY). Same as LR-1 but different DENEL logo LR-3 22 LONG RIFLE (STANDARD VELOCITY). Rare and hard to find because it was replaced by the Match Trainer. SP-9
"One Bar" - Cardboard Box LR-4 LR-5 Swartklip Products LR-6 LR-7 SP-10
"One Bar" - Cardboard Box LR-4 22 LONG RIFLE (MATCH TRAINER). SP-10 h/s on brass case. Solid bullet with 2 cannelures. LR-5 22 LONG RIFLE (MATCH TRAINER). New style box LR-6 22 LONG RIFLE (HOLLOW POINT). LR-6.5 22 LONG RIFLE (HOLLOW POINT). Same as LR-6 but with gold over-label stating COPPER SP-10 h/s on brass case. Solid bullet with 1 cannelures. LR-7 22 LONG RIFLE (HOLLOW POINT). Last box off when production ceased in 2005 SP-10
"One Bar" - Cardboard Box LR-8 LR-9 Swartklip Products LR-10 LR-11 SP-10
"One Bar" - Cardboard Box LR-8 22 LONG RIFLE (SUBSONIC SOLID POINT) SP-10 h/s on brass case. Solid bullet with wide driving band LR-9 22 LONG RIFLE (SUBSONIC SOLID POINT) LR-10 22 LONG RIFLE (HYPER VELOCITY). "BLITZER". LR-11 22 LONG RIFLE (HYPER VELOCITY). "BLITZER". Nickel case with LR-10 h/s. Copper washed HP bullet without cannelures, only a wide driving band. LR-12 22 LONG RIFLE (HYPER VELOCITY). "BLITZER". LR-12 SP-10
20 Rd. Plastic Box LR-1 Swartklip Products LR-2 LR-3 SP-11
20 Rd. Plastic Box 20 rd plastic boxes in 5 different loading numbered 1 to 6 with no #5, which was suppose to be a heavy weight bullet.. Boxes claim they were imported into America by Armscor. They were reportedly made for America in 2002 but the deal fell through and were sold in South Africa. Nickel cases with "SP-10" h/s.. All boxes had a clear sliding lid on a white plastic box. LR-1.22 LONG RIFLE (HIGH VELOCITY). Yellow and blue triangle shaped label. Product code No. SK001. 35 gr. Spitzer lead bullet.. MV 1410 fps (a) With TM (Trade Mark) (b) Without TM (Trade Mark) LR-2.22 LONG RIFLE (HIGH VELOCITY). Yellow and dark red triangle shaped label. Product code No. SK002. 38 gr. Copper-plated super hollow point bullet. MV 1340 fps. LR-3.22 LONG RIFLE (HIGH VELOCITY). Yellow and blue triangle shaped label. Product code No. SK003. 45 gr. Solid heavyweight copper-plated bullet.. MV 1225 fps (a) With TM (Trade Mark) (b) Without TM (Trade Mark) SP-11
20 Rd. Plastic Box LR-4 Swartklip Products LR-5 SP-11
20 Rd. Plastic Box LR-4.22 LONG RIFLE (HIGH VELOCITY). Yellow and yellow-orange triangle shaped label. Product code No. SK004. 39gr. Saber Tip copper-plated bullet.. MV 1340 fps LR-5.22 LONG RIFLE (Subsonic VELOCITY). Yellow and red triangle shaped label. Product code No. SK006. 13 gr. Diabolo pellet.. MV 480 fps SP-11
MUSGRAVE LR-1 LR-1 (a) side LR-1 (b) side Musgrave LR-2 LR-2 sides LR-1 sides MUS-1
MUSGRAVE Produced by Musgrave for the distributors of SP and PMP products. Large red "M" arches on red boxes. Bilingual wording. LR-1.22 LONG RIFLE (HYPER VELOCITY- HOLLOW POINT). "BLITSER". Arches are blue. "2-38" h/s on a brass case, later nickeled cases. Early lightening bolt h/s had one blunt end and one pointed end. Later both ends were pointed. Copper plated bullet. Cartridge tray is red. Recommended to be used only in rifles. (a) Child warning over-label on side (b) No C/W over-label on side LR-2.22 LONG RIFLE (HOLLOW POINT). Arches are black. Cartridges printed to right of arches. "M- 10" h/s on a brass case. Lead bullet. Tray is green. MUS-1
MILITARY S-1 S-2 Military L-1 L-2 MIL-1
MILITARY Supplied by the Defense Force to high school cadets shooting programs, shooting clubs of the Defense Force, and police and prison services. All are white boxes, standard velocity and solid lead bullets. Headstamps are unknown. All ends are plain white. S-1.22 SHORT (MILITARY). S-2.22 SHORT (MILITARY HIGH VELOCITY PROOF). White over-label in black ink stating "HV Proof Cartridges" L-1.22 LONG (MILITARY STANDARD VELOCITY). Standard is STD. Red over-stamp on bottom. L-2.22 LONG (MILITARY STANDARD VELOCITY). Similar to L-1 but STANDARD is spelled out. Bottom, sides and ends unknown. L-3.22 LONG (MILITARY SUB SONIC VELOCITY). Black plastic box. White top label with black printing. Contents unknown. L-3 MIL-1
MILITARY LR-1 LR-2 Military LR-3 LR-4 MIL-1
MILITARY LR-1.22 LONG RIFLE (MILITARY). Date stamped in blue at bottom edge of top. LR-2.22 LONG RIFLE (MILITARY). Like LR-1 but no date stamp and bottom states "Manufactured by Swartklip, Republic of South Africa". In Afrikaans. Swartklip means Black stone SP-3 h/s on brass case. Lead bullet. LR-3.22 LONG RIFLE (MILITARY). Black plastic box with white over-label with black printing. LR-4.22 LONG RIFLE (MILITARY). White box with blue printing. LR-5.22 LONG RIFLE. Clear plastic box with white over-label with black printing. Uncertain if this is an empty military box or a prototype box. LR-5 MIL-1
Misc. Swartklip Exports & Imports LR-1 LR-2 MISC. LR-3 LR-4 MISC.-1
Misc. Swartklip Exports & Imports These are miscellanies boxes made in South Africa for export to other countries. R-1.22 LONG RIFLE (STANDARD VELOCITY). "POLARIS COMPETITION". Gray and white box with red, yellow and black printing.. Made for export to Germany but the deal fell through so they were sold in S.A. Printed in both English and German. "Polaris" h/s on a brass case. Lead bullet. LR-2.22 LONG RIFLE. Made by Swartklip for Ammu-Tech. Packed in Swartklip plastic boxes with Ammutech stickers. Swartklip h/s. LR-3.22 LONG RIFLE. Made by Swartklip for Boss. Packed in Swartklip plastic boxes with Boss stickers. Swartklip h/s. LR-4.22 LONG RIFLE (TARGET). "MATCH EPS". Made by Eley in 2002. Never was successful because it was 10 times more expensive than Swartklip ammunition. Was only made for one year. "E" h/s. MISC-1