The MIL-STD-1168 is a set of standard codes used to identify munitions (ammunition, explosives and propellants). It was designed to replace the previous confusing Ammunition Identification Code (AIC) system used by the United States Army Ordnance Department.
The purpose of lot numbering ammunition items and creation of ammunition data cards as outlined herein is to provide the identification of homogeneous materiel necessary to ensure accurate control of items during development and experimental stages; during movement of items from production line to production line, from plant to plant, from plant to storage facilities; while at test facility or in the field; for issue to the using services; to enable the proper establishment and maintenance of surveillance records; and to provide a means for properly identifying materiel when withdrawal of defective, deteriorated, hazardous or obsolete ammunition and energetic materiel from service is required. Lot numbering and ammunition data cards also provide documentation and traceability for ammunition lots.
Pre-Standard Lot Code Format [1942-1965] The format used in the 1940s, 1950's and 1960's was in the format of LLL-NNNN. In this example, "L" stands for Letter and "N" stands for Number.
The first two or three letters (LL or LLL) were for the Manufacturer's Code. Each manufacturer had a unique code designation.The digits were the Lot's serial number. This was originally 4 digits long (NNNN). Blocks of serial Lot numbers (like 0001 to 0399) were assigned to each manufacturing plant. The date of production of the lots (and the type and grade of ammunition and its packaging) was tracked by biannual supply bulletinWar Department [Ordnance Field Service Bulletin] OFSB 3-5 Small Arms Ammunition Lots and Grades [1942-1943] and War Department [Supply Bulletin] SB 9-AMM 4 Small Arms Ammunition Lots and Grades [1943-1965?] rather than marked on the exterior packaging.
There was confusion at the start from a lack of rigid standards and oversight. Some contractors would use a serial number sequence for each type of ammunition they produced, meaning there would be lots of different ammunition types produced at different times that would have the same lot number. Others grouped ammunition of different types produced at the same time into the same block of lot numbers. This was sorted out by the end of World War Two when more oversight was possible.
In the late war period (1944-1945) there was an overhaul and repacking of pre-war and wartime ammo into improved packaging. The repacked ammo lots were given 5-digit Lot codes (NNNNN) assigned in blocks to each manufacturer. Troops would avoid or refuse to use up older or repacked ammo because it was feared it would misfire or jam. To alleviate this false belief, the term "Repacked" was replaced with the term "Functional" in the early 1950s.
Ammunition Crates Ammunition crates were marked with identifying information. The class of ammunition (e.g., Explosives or Small Arms Ammunition) was embossed on the lid. The front panel had the alphanumeric Ammunition Identification Code (used 1942-1958) in the upper right corner, the gross weight in pounds and volume in cubic feet stamped in the lower left corner, and the Lot Code stamped in the lower right corner. The text in the center of the front panel detailed the amount and type of contents the crate contained.
Ammunition types were indicated by colored stripes on pre-war (1920s to 1930s) and early-war (1940s) crates. The colored stripes were duplicated on the cartons of ammunition inside them. Packing types (cartons, clips in bandoleers, and belted or linked machinegun ammunition) were indicated by pictograms.
Ammunition Packing Codes The ammunition packing type (clipped, belted, or linked) was designated by manufacturers with an extra code letter. It was either added as a letter code between the Manufacturer's Code and the Interfix Number or as a prefix or suffix to the Lot Sequence Number. Ammunition in clips (loaded in clips and packed in either cartons or bandoleers) was designated with a "C" (e.g., WRA-01-C1234). This was for rifle ammunition that met standards (Grade 1 or Grade R). It was used in rifles and light machineguns. Belted ammunition (loaded into a cloth ammo belt) was designated with a "B" (e.g., LC-01-B1234). This was usually for rifle ammunition that met minimum standards for accuracy (Grade 2 or Grade MG). It was used in medium and heavy machineguns. Linked ammunition (loaded into a disintegrating metal link ammo belt) was designated with an "L" (e.g., FA-01-L1234). This was for rifle and heavy machinegun ammunition that met standards (Grade 1 or Grade AC/R) and had a higher standard of reliability. It was used in aircraft and anti-aircraft machineguns.
Foreign Manufacturers In the 1950s Foreign manufacturers added a letter code prefix to their Lot Sequence Number. When the National Stock Number (NSN) code system replaced the Federal Stock Number (FSN) system, this method was dropped. European manufacturers used an E-prefix (e.g., HP-01-E1234 = Hirtenberger Patronenfabriken, Lot 01–1234) Japanese manufacturers used a J-prefix (e.g., TS-01-J1234 = Toyo Seiki, Lot 01–1234) Korean manufacturers used a K-prefix (e.g., PS-01-K1234 = Poong-San Metal Corporation, Lot 01–1234) Nationalist Chinese / Taiwanese manufacturers used a C-prefix (e.g., 58-01-C1234 = Arsenal 58, Lot 01–1234). Taiwanese manufacturers used the Factory or Arsenal number (i.e., Factory 58 used "58") as a Manufacturing Code or cartridge headstamp.
Navy Lot Numbers The Navy used a different lot numbering system for explosives, propellants, and pyrotechnics (chemical marking and screening devices and rocket motors): NN-LLL-MMYY
The first part (NN) is the serial number, next the Manufacturer's 2 or 3 letter code, followed by a four digit number that indicates the two-digit month and two-digit year it was manufactured. For example, 123-JOP-0554 means it was Lot 123, made by Joliet Ordnance Plant (JOP) in May 1954.
Navy Lot Numbers (1960-1967) For most of the 1960s there was a different system used for smoke grenades: NNN/N - Y/M - NNNN (there is no slash in the actual lot number; it is used here to divide the serial number information into sub-groups). For example, the lot number 1023-65-1234.
NNN/N represents the 3-digit manufacturer code and the number of the production line (e.g., 1023 would be Line 3 at Pine Bluff Arsenal (manufacturer 102)). Y/M indicates the last digit of the two-digit financial year (which runs July to June) and the one-digit financial bi-monthly code (e.g, 65; the "6" would be 1966 and the "5" would be March/April). NNNN represents the serial number (e.g., 1234) of the lot.
Financial Year Codes PreviousCalendar YearCurrentCalendar Year Digit Month Digit Month 1 July/August 4 January/February 2 September/October 5 March/April 3 November/December 6 May/June
Navy Manufacturer Codes (1960-1967) 102 Pine Bluff Arsenal (PBA) - Pine Bluff, AR. 103 Rocky Mountain Arsenal (RMA) - Commerce City, CO. 201 Ordnance Products Inc. (OPI) - Gardena, CA. 202 Unidynamics (UNI) - Dallas, TX. 203 Northrup Carolina Inc. (NCI) - Asheville, NC. 204 Unidynamics / Phoenix (UNV) - Phoenix, AZ.
MIL-STD-1168 (Ammunition Lot Numbering) [Published 30 June 1965; 1965-1975] The "Old Standard". This system used two designation codes.
The Federal Stock Number (FSN) was an 11-digit code number (NNNN-NNN-NNNN) indicating the contents and composition of the package. (In this example, "N" stands for Number.)The first four digits comprise the Federal Stock Composition Group, the Type and Family the item belongs to. Small Arms Ammunition (weapons with a bore up to 30mm) are given the FSCG prefix of 1305. Heavy Weapons Ammunition (weapons with a bore greater than 30mm) are given the FSCG prefixes of 1310 (30mm through 75mm), 1315 (75mm through 125mm), or 1320 (greater than 125mm). The 7-digit number that follows (NNN-NNNN) are called Non-Significant Characters, as they are random and have no coded meaning. It is composed of the unique 3-digit interfix number and 4-digit sequence number identifying a stock item.
Department of Defense Identification Code The Department of Defense Identification Code (DODIC) is a 4-symbol alphanumeric code designation for a type of item. It starts with 1 or 2 code letters and the remainder is a 2- or 3-digit code number. It indicates an item of supply (e.g., 5.56mm NATO M193 Ball) and its packing sub-unit (e.g., 20-round carton, 10-round clip, or 200-round linked belt). It is used to inform the person ordering or issuing the item what it is and how it is packed so they get what they need.
The Department of Defense Ammunition Code (DODAC or DDAC) is an 8-symbol (7 digits and a letter) hybrid code designation. It uses the munition's four-digit Federal Supply Classification Group (the first four digits of the item's FSN) followed by its alphanumeric DODIC. It is used mostly when filling out ammunition record sheets. This is done to prevent errors and confusion during ammunition transactions.
Standard Lot Code (1965-1975) The lot numbers were beginning to get very long and the lot assigning system was becoming complicated. The reform was to reset the lot numbering system and have each plant start from zero. The Lot number is in the format of: LLL-NN-NNNN.In this example, "L" stands for Letter and "N" stands for Number.
The first two or three letters (LL or LLL) were for the Manufacturer's Code. Each manufacturer had a code designation.
The next two digits were the “Interfix Number”. This indicates the batch the lot was part of, allowing the Lot Sequence Number to be reused later. It is numbered from 01 to 99.
The last digits were the serial number, called the Lot Sequence Number. This could be 4 or more digits long.
For example, let's say the fictional manufacturer Amalgamated Bio-Carbon (code ABC) makes a shipment of 40 x 46mm low-velocity grenade shells. The lot is Interfix Number #12 and the Sequence Number #345. The Lot Code would then be ABC-12-0345.
Ammunition Crates Ammunition crates were marked with the FSN and DODIC along the top of the front panel. Early crates from 1942 to 1956 also included the alphanumeric Ammunition Identification Code in the upper right corner. The average weight in pounds (WT or AVG WT) and volume in cubic feet (CU) were stamped in the lower left corner. The Lot Code was stamped in the lower right corner. The text in the center of the front panel detailed the amount and type of contents the crate contained.
Ammunition Boxes Each ammunition box was marked with the FSN and DODIC along the upper part of the box. It also was embossed with the ammunition designation and type (i.e., 5.56mm NATO M193 BALL), and there were symbols indicating packing method (linked, clips or cartons; bandoleers or containers).
MIL-STD-1168A (Ammunition Lot Numbering - Revision A) [Published 28 February 1975; 1975-1998] The "New Standard".
The FSN was replaced on September 30, 1974, by the National Stock Number, a 13-digit code number (NNNN-NN-NNN-NNNN).The first 4 digits comprise the National Stock Composition Group (NSCG), which indicates the group and class of materials it belongs to.The next 2 digits are the National Codification Bureau code, the code number for the NATO member nation stocking and producing the item. (For example, the United States uses the NCB codes 00 and 01 and Canada was assigned 20 and 21; the first number was for pre-1975 production and the second for 1975 and later production.)The 7-digit code number that follows is the unique 3-digit interfix number and 4-digit sequence number of the item.
Lot Number The Lot number is in the format of: LL - NN - L - NN - NNNL.In this example, "L" stands for Letter and "N" stands for Number.
The first section (LL or LLL) is the manufacturer's code, which is two or three letters long.