Military Ordnance Identification Handbook

By Mack Drew

Military ordnance can remain dangerous long after the conflict, training exercise, or military activity that left it behind.
Knowing what you may be looking at-and knowing when to stop-is the foundation of responsible identification.MILITARY ORDNANCE IDENTIFICATION HANDBOOK is a comprehensive recognition and safety reference for collectors, historians, museum professionals, landowners, construction crews, outdoor enthusiasts, and anyone interested in military artifacts.
Built around one essential principle-recognize, retreat, report-this handbook teaches you how to examine external characteristics without crossing the line into hazardous handling or disposal work.
Inside, you'll learn how to:
- Recognize major categories of military ammunition, artillery projectiles, grenades, bombs, rockets, missiles, mines, and specialty munitions
- Interpret external anatomy, silhouettes, fins, rotating bands, suspension lugs, markings, stenciling, and color conventions
- Understand U.S., NATO, Warsaw Pact, and historical national identification systems
- Read cartridge headstamps, caliber conventions, manufacturer codes, lot numbers, and date markings
- Distinguish common external indicators associated with live, practice, drill, and inert ordnance-without assuming appearance proves safety
- Identify general recognition features of aerial bombs, guided weapons, mines, underwater ordnance, pyrotechnics, and incendiaries
- Understand unexploded ordnance awareness and the recognize-retreat-report safety response
- Navigate collecting, deactivation documentation, provenance, display considerations, and the legal landscape surrounding ordnance-related artifacts
Black-and-white educational infographics reinforce important classification and recognition concepts throughout the handbook.
This is not a bomb-disposal manual. It is a safety-first field reference designed to help you recognize what you are seeing, understand its historical context, respect the limits of visual identification, and know when professional assistance is essential.Build your ordnance identification knowledge responsibly-get your copy today.

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: B0HH9JBDWS
• ISBN13: 9798170948567
• Release Date: August 2026
• Publisher: Independently published
• Length: 254 Pages
• Weight: 1.32 lbs.
• Dimensions: 11.0" x 0.6" x 8.5"