Vinyl pressings
by The Alarm · 1983
Sixty Eight Guns was first pressed on vinyl in 1983. Every vinyl pressing is listed below with its label, catalog number and runout codes, so you can tell an original from a reissue.
9 pressings came out in 1983, the album's first year, in 3 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.
PFP 1023 A2 ASide A runout, etched / stamped, variant 1
PFP 1023 B1 A BILBO·TAPE One ASide B runout, etched / stamped, variant 1
PFP 1023 A1 A BILBO.TAPE One 2 CSide A runout, etched / stamped, variant 2
PFP 1023 B1 2 C BILBO·TAPE One ASide B runout, etched / stamped, variant 2
PFSX I023 AI BilBo TAPE ONE <Side A runout, etched, [stamped: <], variant 1
PFSX I023 BI BilBo TAPE ONE <Side B runout, etched, [stamped: <], variant 1
PFSX I023 AI BilBo TAPE ONE CSide A runout, etched, [stamped: C], variant 2
PFSX I023 BI BilBo TAPE ONE 3 1 <Side B runout, etched, [stamped: 3 1 <], variant 2
PFP 1023 A1 C BILBO.TAPE One CSide A runout
PFP 1023 B1 A BILBO.TAPE One C1Side B runout
PFP 1023-ASide A label
PFP 1023-BSide B label
PFP 1023-ARunout side A
PFP 1023-BRunout side B
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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1983 | UK | I.R.S. Records PFP 1023First year7", 45 RPM, Single, White Label | 7", 45 RPM, Single, White Label |
| 1983 | UK | I.R.S. Records PFPC 1023 / I.R.S. Records PFP 1023First year7", 45 RPM, Cassette, EP | 7", 45 RPM, Cassette, EP |
| 1983 | US | I.R.S. Records SP-70971First year12", 33 ⅓ RPM, Promo · Promo | 12", 33 ⅓ RPM, Promo · Promo |
| 1983 | Europe | I.R.S. Records A-3881 / Illegal Records ILSA 3881First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
| 1983 | Europe | I.R.S. Records ILSA 12.3881 / I.R.S. Records A 12.3881First year12", 45 RPM, Maxi-Single, Stereo | 12", 45 RPM, Maxi-Single, Stereo |
| 1983 | UK | I.R.S. Records PFP 1023First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1983 | UK | I.R.S. Records PFSX 1023First year12", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 12", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
| 1983 | UK | I.R.S. Records PFP 1023First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo · Promo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo · Promo |
| 1983 | UK | I.R.S. Records PFP 1023First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
| 1984 | Italy | Illegal Records ILS A 3881 / I.R.S. Records A-38817", 45 RPM, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Stereo |
| 1984 | Japan | CBS/Sony Inc. 07SP 8117", 45 RPM, Test Pressing, Stereo · Test pressing | 7", 45 RPM, Test Pressing, Stereo · Test pressing |
| 1984 | Spain | I.R.S. Records ILS A-3881 / I.R.S. Records ILS A 38817", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
| 1984 | Spain | I.R.S. Records ILS A-3881 / I.R.S. Records ILS A 38817", 45 RPM, Single Sided, Promo, Stereo · Promo | 7", 45 RPM, Single Sided, Promo, Stereo · Promo |
| 1984 | US | I.R.S. Records IR-99247", 45 RPM, Promo · Promo | 7", 45 RPM, Promo · Promo |
| 1984 | Canada | I.R.S. Records IR-99247", Single, 45 RPM | 7", Single, 45 RPM |
19 vinyl pressings of Sixty Eight Guns are listed here, from 7 countries, released between 1983 and 1984.
The earliest pressings are from 1983, in UK, US, Europe. One of them is I.R.S. Records PFP 1023, released September 12, 1983.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use PFP 1023, PFSX 1023, PFPC 1023, SP-70971) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, PFP 1023 A2 A and PFP 1023 B1 A BILBO·TAPE One A. 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.
