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General Forums => Aircraft and Vehicles => Topic started by: hubsonfire on September 04, 2008, 05:29:52 PM

Title: Can someone identify this shell casing?
Post by: hubsonfire on September 04, 2008, 05:29:52 PM
Someone on another forum has requested help identifying a shell casing, purchased at an antique shop in France, supposedly dating to WWII. Casing is marked with "1942", but I'm not sure if there are any other markings that would be of use. Anyone recognize it?

(http://img84.imageshack.us/img84/7059/1001884yg9.jpg)
(http://img388.imageshack.us/img388/5199/1001888xr6.jpg)
Title: Re: Can someone identify this shell casing?
Post by: uberslet on September 04, 2008, 05:32:50 PM
if i did my math right it should be roughly 34 mm.....i know, not much help, but done the math for people so its one less thing to do  :D
Title: Re: Can someone identify this shell casing?
Post by: E25280 on September 04, 2008, 06:56:11 PM
if i did my math right it should be roughly 34 mm.....i know, not much help, but done the math for people so its one less thing to do  :D
More likely 37mm, which was a fairly common size for early WWII. The German 37mm Pak 35/36 was their standard AT gun, both towed and on the PzkwIIIs and Pzkw38s.  The US used guns of the same caliber.  There were also 37mm AA guns in use IIRC by just about everyone.

Have you tried Tony Williams' site?
Title: Re: Can someone identify this shell casing?
Post by: hubsonfire on September 04, 2008, 07:12:30 PM
Yeah, and I thought I had a match in a 37mm, but the rim is different. Some of the pics are really unclear (distorted scans, it appears), and trying to match a shell without exact dimensions, and without listed dimensions is difficult. I figured the volume of AA rounds fired would be much higher, and it would be the most common casing, but that's not necessarily a good assumption. The proportions of the neck are similar to other 37mm rounds, but again, the rims are entirely different, at least compared to what I've seen so far. Still looking- there's an awful lot of information to dig through.
Title: Re: Can someone identify this shell casing?
Post by: 715 on September 04, 2008, 07:17:02 PM
I measure 37.1 mm, so obviously it's 37mm.
Title: Re: Can someone identify this shell casing?
Post by: Widewing on September 04, 2008, 07:43:52 PM
What if any identifying markings are on the base of the shell, beyond the date?


My regards,

Widewing
Title: Re: Can someone identify this shell casing?
Post by: E25280 on September 04, 2008, 08:34:32 PM
The shell at this auction site looks very similar.  He identifies it as an M3 AT gun shell case (US 37mm).

http://www.specialistauctions.com/auctiondetails.php?id=1141283

Of course, that doesn't mean he knows what he is talking about, does it? 

Title: Re: Can someone identify this shell casing?
Post by: hubsonfire on September 04, 2008, 08:49:12 PM
That sure looks like this guy's casing. I'll see if he can get a pic or description of any additional markings.
Title: Re: Can someone identify this shell casing?
Post by: 1pLUs44 on September 04, 2008, 09:59:59 PM
Take a pic of it from about 5 feet away. See what it looks like.


76mm shell is about 1.5-2 feet tall if that helps any.


(http://i253.photobucket.com/albums/hh71/1pLUs44/100_1398.jpg)

Edit: They're mine.
Title: Re: Can someone identify this shell casing?
Post by: Furball on September 05, 2008, 01:41:45 AM
(http://www.quarry.nildram.co.uk/tank2.jpg)

US 37mm M16 APCBC? (37x233)

http://www.quarry.nildram.co.uk/tankammo.html
Title: Re: Can someone identify this shell casing?
Post by: Cthulhu on September 05, 2008, 05:31:47 PM
(http://www.quarry.nildram.co.uk/tank2.jpg)

US 37mm M16 APCBC? (37x233)

http://www.quarry.nildram.co.uk/tankammo.html
By Jove, I think he's got it. :aok
Title: Re: Can someone identify this shell casing?
Post by: Masherbrum on September 06, 2008, 12:34:48 PM
I believe Furry has it pegged.   Were these used in M3 Grants?   
Title: Re: Can someone identify this shell casing?
Post by: Tony Williams on September 07, 2008, 07:49:00 AM
I believe Furry has it pegged.   Were these used in M3 Grants?   
Yes. It was the standard cartridge used in all US 37mm tank, armoured car and anti-tank guns (aircraft and anti-aircraft guns used different ammo). It was available with various AP, HE and canister (shot) projectiles.

Tony Williams: Military gun and ammunition website (http://www.quarry.nildram.co.uk)
Title: Re: Can someone identify this shell casing?
Post by: hubsonfire on September 08, 2008, 10:36:35 AM
Excellent, he said the bottom is fairly beat up, but that he could make out what he thought was "M16" on it. Thanks guys.