Vinyl pressings
by Abigail Mead · 1987
Full Metal Jacket was first pressed on vinyl in 1987. Every vinyl pressing is listed below with its label, catalog number and runout codes, so you can tell an original from a reissue.
20 pressings came out in 1987, the album's first year, in 9 countries. Compare the label and catalog number on your copy, then the codes etched or stamped in the runout groove (the dead wax around the label): they are the surest sign of an early pressing.
R / S Alsdorf 920787-0-AxRunout side A, variant 1
R / S Alsdorf 920787-0-BxRunout side B, variant 1
R / S Alsdorf 920787-0-ARunout side A, variant 2
"D" R / S Alsdorf 920787-0-BxRunout side B, variant 2
R / S Alsdorf 928204-7-ARunout side A, variant 1
R / S Alsdorf 928204-7-BRunout side B, variant 1
R / S Alsdorf 928204-7-A V 16 H BERunout side A, variant 2
R / S Alsdorf 928204-7-B 22 HRunout side B, variant 2
W 8187 T - A3 [1 on it's side] MT.1 DAMONT MA-side runout, etched
W 8187 T - B [3 crossed out] 3 [1 on it's side] MT.1 DAMONT LB-side runout, etched
W 8187 (T) A*A-side label
W 8187 (T) B*B-side label
W 8187 - A3. → MT. DAMONTRunout etched side A
W 8187 - B3. \→ MT. DAMONT DRunout etched side B
W 8187 A*Label side A
W 8187 B*Label side B
W8187 A//1▽420RA-side runout, variant 1
W8187 B//1▽420RB-side runout, variant 1
W8187 A//1▽420R 11 9A-side runout, variant 2
W8187 B//1▽420R 11 5B-side runout, variant 2
W 8187 (TP) A1Side 1
W 8187 (TP) B1Side 2
Not sure how to read the runout? See matrix numbers, runout and dead wax and how to tell a first pressing.
By decade, oldest first. Open a pressing for its full label, barcode and runout details.
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1987 | Australia | Warner Bros. Records 7-28204First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1987 | Canada | Warner Bros. Records 92 82047First year7", 45 RPM | 7", 45 RPM |
| 1987 | Canada | Warner Bros. Records 92 82047First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo · Promo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo · Promo |
| 1987 | Europe | Warner Bros. Records 920 787-0First year12", 45 RPM, Stereo | 12", 45 RPM, Stereo |
| 1987 | Europe | Warner Bros. Records 928 204-7First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
| 1987 | Ireland | Warner Bros. Records W 8187First year12", 45 RPM, Single | 12", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1987 | Ireland | Warner Bros. Records 928 187-7First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
| 1987 | Italy | Warner Bros. Records 928 204-7First year7", 45 RPM, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Stereo |
| 1987 | Portugal | Warner Bros. Records 1592097 / Warner Bros. Records 9 28204-7First year7" | 7" |
| 1987 | Spain | Warner Bros. Records 928 204-7 SFirst year7" | 7" |
| 1987 | Spain | Warner Bros. Records 928204-7First year7", Single, 45 RPM | 7", Single, 45 RPM |
| 1987 | UK | Warner Bros. Records W8187T / Warner Bros. Records 920 787-0First year12", 45 RPM, Single | 12", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1987 | UK | WEA W 8187 / WEA 928 187-7First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
| 1987 | UK | Warner Bros. Records W 8187 / Warner Bros. Records 928 187-7First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1987 | UK | Warner Bros. Records W 8187 TPFirst year12", 45 RPM, Single, Limited Edition, Picture Disc · Limited, Picture disc | 12", 45 RPM, Single, Limited Edition, Picture Disc · Limited, Picture disc |
22 vinyl pressings of Full Metal Jacket are listed here, from 9 countries.
The earliest pressings are from 1987, in Europe, UK, US, Australia and more. One of them is Warner Bros. Records 920 787-0.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use 920 787-0, 928 204-7, W8187T, W 8187) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, R / S Alsdorf 920787-0-Ax and R / S Alsdorf 920787-0-Bx. Later reissues often keep the catalog number but change the label design or the runout codes.
It depends on which pressing you have and on the condition of the record and its sleeve. Early pressings from the album's home country in near mint condition are usually worth the most; common later reissues are worth far less. Scan your copy with VinylLens to see its value for every grade.
