bullet markings

Question
I don't know if you're the correct person to ask about this so I apologize if I'm in the wrong place.
I found three bullets in a jar full of keys I bought from an estate sale. I included the links to the pictures of the bullets below.
I was wondering what the marks on the bottom indicate and if you could tell me anything else about these bullets?

http://i3.photobucket.com/albums/y52/ifmelfalls/bullet1.jpg
http://i3.photobucket.com/albums/y52/ifmelfalls/bullet2.jpg

Answer
Hello Melissa.

You have two different cartridges there.

The first cartridge on the left appears to be a brass or .22 LR rimfire case which was stuffed with an eraser, wooden dial rod, compressed sawdust, wax, or some other odd material where the lead bullet would normally be inserted. This is most likely a dummy cartridge for training or demonstration purposes but it could possibly be a live round, and if so then you need to be very careful not to drop it or damage it. Even a small dent in the rim of the case could cause it to explode.

The second cartridge (the two on the right) appear to be .45 ACP cartridges with copper-jacketed lead bullets inserted. They are obviously dummy cartridges as they are missing the primers and they have holes drilled in the sides of the brass casings. These were most likely made for training, demonstration, or even to be clipped on to chains and key rings. The "EC" markings on the base stand for Evansville Cartridge which indicates these were made by the Evansville Ordinance Plant. This plant was located in Evansville, IN and operated by the Chrysler Corp. from 1942 to 1944. They produced billions of rounds of caliber 45 and caliber 30 carbine ammunition. Most cases were made of steel using the EC headstamp.

You can see a box of the dummy cartridges that was recently sold at auction here:

http://www.auctionarms.com/closed/displayitem.cfm?itemnum=8358823.0

As individual cartridges they probably don't have any significant value but a war collector might appreciate them.

Hope this helps.

Bob