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IOF

Definition

Indian Ordnance Factory headstamp code (produced at Khadki / Kirkee, Pune); the primary Indian government producer of 9x19mm, .38 Special, and 7.62x51mm NATO for Indian military and police service.

Meaning
Indian Ordnance Factory headstamp code
Location
Khadki / Kirkee, Pune
Calibres produced
9x19mm, .38 Special, 7.62x51mm NATO
Primary customer
Indian military and police

Common questions

Why does headstamp identification matter in ballistics casework?+

The manufacturer code narrows the ammunition's likely source and supply chain, which is useful for cross-referencing against legally issued stock in trafficking or unlawful-possession investigations.

Is IOF ammunition sold on the civilian market?+

It is manufactured primarily for government, police and military procurement rather than civilian retail, so its presence in a case can point toward service or diverted-stock origin.

Related terms

CIP
Commission Internationale Permanente pour l'Epreuve des Armes a Feu Portatives; the European proof body that standardises chamber and cartridge specifications for European...
GRC Database
General Rifling Characteristics database maintained by the FBI Laboratory's Firearms and Toolmarks Unit; includes an ammunition component section that references headstamp codes...
Imperial Calibre Notation
Calibre designation using decimal fractions of an inch, often with a name suffix indicating the designer or intended firearm (e.g. .45 ACP,...
LC
Lake City Army Ammunition Plant headstamp code; the primary US military ammunition producer for small-arms calibres including 5.56x45mm, 7.62x51mm, and .50 BMG.
Metric Calibre Notation
Calibre designation using bullet diameter in millimetres multiplied by case length in millimetres (e.g. 9x19mm, 7.62x39mm, 5.56x45mm); standard in NATO and European...
NABIS
National Ballistics Intelligence Service; the UK police intelligence service that maintains a national headstamp and firearm reference collection and coordinates ballistic intelligence...
NATO Cross
A circle with cross symbol stamped on military cartridge headstamps confirming the round meets the relevant NATO STANAG specification; found on production...
Primer Sealant
Coloured lacquer applied at the primer-to-case-head junction on military cartridges to prevent moisture ingress; colour varies by manufacturer and is not a...
RG
Radway Green headstamp code (UK); BAE Systems' Royal Ordnance Factories facility and primary UK military small-arms ammunition producer.
S+B
Sellier and Bellot headstamp code (Czech Republic, now part of CBC Group); a major European commercial and military-contract producer exported globally including...
SAAMI
Sporting Arms and Ammunition Manufacturers' Institute; the US voluntary standards body that publishes chamber and cartridge drawings and maximum average pressure (MAP)...

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