Copyright International Ammunition Association, 2002-2003. All rights reserved.
This article originally appeared in the
International Ammunition Association, Inc. Journal number 426, July/August, 2002.

Wartime Small Arms Ammo Producers of the USA
by Jim Frigiola

Between World Wars I and II the US Military had all of its modest peacetime ammunition needs met by production from Frankford Arsenal. A few educational contracts were let to commercial ammunition companies from time to time. In 1940 when WW II was underway in Europe the United States implemented a large-scale mobilization plan for the establishment of numerous Ordnance Plants to meet tremendous projected needs for ammunition. Manufacturing plants were constructed across the country at selected sites and contractors were identified to operate these wartime expedient facilities. During WW II Frankford Arsenal served as a leader for these new plants by providing oversight and know-how while also carrying on with limited in house production. Small arms ammunition research and development remained the province of Frankford Arsenal.

The Government Owned Ordnance Plants (GOCO's)

Allegheny Ordnance Plant (KS)

Located in Cumberland, MD this plant was operated by Kelly Springfield Tire Co. in 1942 and 1943. The Allegheny Ordnance Plant produced only caliber 50 ammunition using the KS headstamp.

Denver Ordnance Plant (DEN)

Located just outside Denver, CO this was a first wave plant operated by Remington Arms Co. from 1941 to 1944. The Denver plant was a large volume producer and made only caliber 30 ammunition.

Des Moines Ordnance Plant (DM)

Located in Des Moines, IA, this was a second wave ordnance plant operated by US Rubber Co. from 1941 to 1945. This plant produced only caliber 30 and caliber 50 ammunition.

Eau Claire Ordnance Plant (EW)

Located near Eau Claire, WI this plant was operated by US Rubber Co. from 1942 to 1943. This plant produced only cal. 30 ammunition. The headstamp EC was used for the first few production lots but was quickly changed to EW to avoid confusion with Evansville.

Evansville Ordnance Plant (EC & ECS)

Located in Evansville, IN this plant was operated by the Chrysler Corp. from 1942 to 1944 and produced billions of rounds of caliber 45 and caliber 30 carbine ammunition. Most cases were made of steel using the EC headstamp. This plant also loaded ammunition using cases made at the Sunbeam Refrigerator Plant, also at Evansville, IN, with ECS headstamp.

Frankford Arsenal (FA)

Located in Philadelphia, PA this government operated arsenal was the home of military small arms ammunition design and development. Frankford was originally opened in 1816 and was the leader in the WW II industrial mobilization plan and monitored operations at the other ordnance plants. Frankford Arsenal produced initial production lots of all calibers and types of experimental and service ammunition until its closure in 1977.

Kings Mills Ordnance Plant (PC)

Located in Kings Mills, OH this plant was operated by Remington Arms Co. under the Peters Cartridge Co. name and was supported by commercial facilities owned by Peters. This plant produced ammunition from 1942 to 1944. A very small quantity of caliber 45 ammunition was made initially but most production was caliber 30 carbine.

Lake City Ordnance Plant (LC)

Located at Independence, MO this plant was originally operated by Remington Arms Co. and much later by Olin-Winchester. Lake city was one of the first wave ordnance plants and operated from 1941 to 1945. It was reopened in 1951 and has since operated continuously to the present time, now known as Lake City Army Ammunition Plant (LCAAP). Lake City produced caliber 30, caliber 30 carbine, caliber 50, caliber 50 spotter-tracer, 7.62mm and 5.56mm ammunition in very large quantities. Also produced but in smaller quantities were caliber 38 revolver, 7.62 X 39mm, 20mm and 30mm ammunition. In 1985 the plant operations contract was reassigned to Olin-Winchester and in 1999 it was again reassigned to Alliant Techsystems (ATK).

Lowell Ordnance Plant (LM)

Located in Lowell, MA this plant was operated by Remington Arms Company in 1942 and 1943 only. Lowell produced only caliber 50 ammunition.

Milwaukee Ordnance Plant (M)

Located in Milwaukee, WS this plant was operated by US Rubber Co. in 1942 and 1943. This plant produced only caliber 50 ammunition.

St Louis Ordnance Plant (SL)

Located near St Louis, MO this plant was operated by Olin Corp. under the United States Cartridge Co. name. One of the first wave of ordnance plants it operated from 1941 to 1945 and again from 1952 to 1958. St Louis was one of the largest volume producers but made only caliber 30, caliber 50 and caliber 60 ammunition.

Twin Cities Ordnance Plant (TW)

Located near Minneapolis, MN it was another of the first wave ordnance plants, and was operated by Federal Cartridge Co. Twin Cities operated from 1941 to 1945, from 1951 to 1957, and again from 1966 to 1975. One of the largest volume producers, Twin Cities made caliber 30, caliber 45, caliber 50, caliber 50 spotter-tracer, 7.62mm and 5.56mm ammunition.

Utah Ordnance Plant (UT & U)

Located in Ogden, UT near Salt Lake City, this plant was operated by Remington Arms Co. from 1941 to 1943. This second wave ordnance plant produced only cal 30 and cal 50 ammunition. First ammunition produced was headstamped UT but was then changed to U in mid 1942.
[Editor's note- Located in Salt Lake City, not near Ogden]

Federal Cartridge Co (FC)

Located in Anoka, MN this plant filled government contracts during WW II for commercial shotshells, 22 rim fire ammunition and mortar ignition cartridges. Federal continued to fill government contracts after WW II and still does so at the present time.

Peters Cartridge Co (PETERS)

Located in Kings Mills, OH this plant was a division of Remington Arms Co. Peters produced significant quantities of shotshells, caliber 38 revolver and caliber 45 ammunition under government contract using commercial headstamps.

Remington Arms Co (RA)

Located in Bridgeport, CT this plant filled large government contracts for caliber 30, caliber 30 carbine, caliber 45 and caliber 50 ammunition during WW II. In addition, Remington produced shotshells, caliber 38 revolver, and 22 rim fire ammunition with commercial headstamps.

Western Cartridge Co (WCC)

Located in East Alton, IL this private facility was part of the Olin Corp. Western filled many government contracts for caliber 30, caliber 30 carbine, and caliber 45 ammunition during WW II as well as shotshells and 22 rim fire ammunition. The East Alton plant continued to fill government contracts after WW II and still operates at the present time.

Winchester Repeating Arms Co (WRA)

Located in New Haven, CT this private facility was part of the Olin Corp. The WRA headstamp appeared on large quantities of caliber 30, caliber 30 carbine, caliber 45 and caliber 50 ammunition. In addition this plant produced shotshells and 22 rimfire ammunition. The New Haven plant continued to fill government contracts until 1972.

Dominion Arsenal (DAC)

Located in Quebec, Canada, this plant produced caliber 30 ammunition under contract to the US Army during 1944 and 1945. Additional contracts were filled in the early 1950's.

Defence Industries Limited (VC)

Located in Verdun, Quebec, Canada, this private facility, owned by Canadian Industries Limited (C-I-L), filled US Army contracts for caliber 30 ammunition during 1944 and 1945. This plant was commonly referred to in the US Ordnance Community as the Verdun Ordnance Works.

  Revised 28 January 2003