X45 / T30 .45 Caliber Tracer Rounds - 1944

[silverplate]

Thought I would share with you WW2 ammo collectors a new addition to my collection.

 

In early 1944 the Ordnance Officer of the Hawaiian Department requested a small quantity of .45 ACP tracer for submachine guns to be used in the Jungle Training Center. Frankford produced a 10,000 round test lot, followed by a request for another 90,000 rounds. The T30 nomenclature was assigned at that time, although the early lots used an X45 (Experimental) lot number on the box as well as other contract information not normally found on production lots. Headstamp on those early rounds was F A 4, and they were loaded in steel cases. An additional 1M rounds were requested in March 1944.

 

During April 1945, the AAF requested 8.5M rounds of the T30 tracer to be packed in 20 round sealed boxes for use in the survival vests, and in 50 round boxes for training in the U.S. The Navy and Marine Corps also received rounds for use in submachine guns. Those production rounds carried an S-1 through S-30 lot number, and an F A 45 headstamp.

 

Here are photos of that early T30 tracer box, and the rounds that it contained.

[silverplate]

Here are photos of the later T30 production rounds in the two styles of boxes used.

[kwill]

Cool stuff! Thanks for posting such clear pictures.

[Charlie Flick]

That is great stuff, Silverplate, and very scarce. Thanks for showing us your fine examples.

 

Regards,

Charlie