Joe:
     Concerning your questions about .22 rifle shells.  There are at least
6 different types of .22 ammunition that I can think of off hand (.22 CB,
.22 Short, .22 long, .22 long rifle, .22 Winchester rimfire, and .22
magnum) all of which have separate dates for the start of manufacture.  I
can say however, that the first .22 cartridges, as we know them, are
contemporary with the development of the bored through cylinder revolver in
the late 1850s.  The first bored through cylinder appeared on the Smith and
Wesson No. 1 chambered in .22 short (blackpowder).  As for its spread, the
.22 rimfire was extreamly popular world wide from the middle of the 19th
century.
    But now back to the different cartridges, the most obvious
distinguishing characteristic between the types in the length of the case.
If you can take a measurement of the various case lengths (this does not
have to be done to the thousandth as significant differences exist between
the lengths of the different types) I should be able to identify them for
you and possibly get you dates in their development and production.  I have
to say that I have never looked into dating through .22 shells (its more
commonly done with centerfire shells as the dates are better known) but its
an interesting question.  As for the ICI head stamp, it rings a bell for me
but I will have to look it up, I seem to remember this headstamp appearing
on some Spencer ammunition produced in England in the late 1860s.  I will
check some resources and see if I can do better.  I hope this helps, I am
out of the office so I cant be any more specific.

Morgan Blanchard
University of Nevada, Reno.


     >Dear list members
>I am trying to sort out stratigraphy of a late prehistoric period rock
>shelter site in s-w Australia, where occupation by various people seems to
>have continued into the 19th and 20th C. Some of the uppermost hearth
>layers in the floor deposit contain modern artefacts, mostly 0.22" rifle
>shells, which may be mixed in from above, or else indicate a young age for
>the hearths. Can anyone tell me when this calibre began to be manufactured
>and whether it became widespread quickly? If it was not popular until the
>last few decades I might suspect mixing, as the hearth layers also contain
>stone artefacts. Some shells have the manufacturer's imprint, "ICI", which
>may be an additional clue. Any published reference would also be much
>appreciated.
>Cheers
>Joe Dortch