My Small 37mm Collection

[thorin6]

I pick these up when I can find them relatively inexpensive. I've been doing some reading to figure out what era they are, but that is still somewhat unclear. Here they are from left to right.

--Steel Shell dated 1942, fairly well pitted but solid. Markings are on brass around primer. M23A1 1942 PA3-15535-87

--Flat nosed head, it's been fired, has some markings around compression band but hard to read. Slight blue color so maybe practice. Visible markings on band are OT 6- 6 MM 1A 19 best I can tell. Rear fuse well is not threaded, solid inside.

--Long head (just under 4-1/2 inches), no markings, looks unfired. Small fuse well, threaded. Hollow inside.

--Short head (3-1/2 inches), markings around rear fuse well STEEL SHELL MARK P.E.&M. CO, small fuse well, threaded, hollow inside.

--Short head (3-1/2 inches), no markings, large fuse well, threaded, hollow inside.

 

Any comments/illuminations are welcome.

 

[Dirt Detective]

Great collection..love the 37mm. I believe I may have an extra M38 Base fuze for your round in the middle..( 3rd one from the left) i will try and post a pic tomorrow. Its yours if it fits.

 

Rgds, Mike

[Dirt Detective]

Found the fuze..M38 practice..I believe its correct for the middle one. Just cover shipping

 

[thorin6]

Dirt Detective,

PM sent on the fuse, thanks.

t6

[Dirt Detective]

Here is an interesting pic of 37mm rounds. The one this fuze goes into is the first one.

 

Practice subcaliber MK IIA1

 

[thorin6]

That's interesting. My copy of TM 9-1901 has a different shell in the left position of that picture. It may be that I have a 1950 version and this in an early version. Also, on the steel casing, my understanding those were made only in 1942 to try to conserve brass. It looks like the M1916 was still in use early in WW2 but maybe only for training and not in combat.

[Dirt Detective]

I dont know much about the 37mm cannon. The picture I posted above is the only one I found that shows the M38 base fuze in it. The round that you have that Im sending you the fuze for has a threaded base for a fuze right? Here is a pic of a few 37mm items i have in the collection. What is stamped around the primer of your casing?

 

[thorin6]

Here is the primer markings on the steel casing. Reads M23A1 1942 PA3-15535-87.

 

 

[thorin6]

Dirt Detective, I see you also have one of the flat nose ones. Any idea what they were used for?

[Dirt Detective]

Dirt Detective, I see you also have one of the flat nose ones. Any idea what they were used for?

 

That is the M51A1 TP - T practice round. not much info on it but here is a cool site with some good pics.

http://www.big-ordnance.com/37mm/AT/37mmAT_Ammo.htm