A scarce original British .280/30 experimental military cartridge, manufactured by Kynoch (ICI Metals Division), Witton, Birmingham in 1949, during Britain's important post-WWII programme to develop a new intermediate-calibre service rifle and ammunition.

The clearly struck headstamp reads:

K 49 / 280/30

K identifies Kynoch manufacture and 49 denotes 1949. Kynoch is documented as producing experimental .280/30 ammunition during 1947–49.

This particular example has the distinctive salmon-pink projectile tip, identifying the Type C Ball loading. Contemporary collector research records this version with a 140-grain mild-steel-core projectile and gilding-metal-clad steel jacket. The purple primer annulus visible on this example is also characteristic of .280/30 ammunition.

The .280 British family was developed after WWII as Britain sought a controllable intermediate cartridge to replace the .303. It became closely associated with the revolutionary EM-2 bullpup rifle (Rifle No. 9 Mk 1) and was also tested in developmental FN rifles. Despite considerable British development, NATO standardisation ultimately moved in favour of the American .30-calibre concept that became 7.62×51mm NATO, making surviving .280/30 ammunition fascinating evidence of an important abandoned British weapons programme.

An excellent and increasingly collectable example of British experimental small-arms ammunition.