75mm M61A1 APC-T

[kuljak003]

This is an original unfired M61A1 round and 75mm casing. They've been refinished with correct markings and paint. I've always wanted one to display with my tanker collection, and was finally able to snag this beautiful example. The whole round is complete and can be fully disassembled. This is how these would've looked 75 years ago- minus the explosive filler and propellant ;) 

 

The M61A1 was an improvement over the M61, a small explosive charge was added. The base is threaded to hold a base detonating fuse. This fuse functions with delay action, which allows  for penetration before detonation occurs. The bottom portion of the fuse contains a red tracer composition which operates independently of the fuse mechanism.

The fuse and tracer element are both present on my round, and can be taken apart to view their components. Filled with its explosive charge it weighs 14.5 pounds. 

 

This example is dated 1942- one of the earlier version of the M61A1. These had a threaded windscreen on top of the steel penetrating cap, later rounds had a crimped windscreen to increase production. The M18 casing was made by C.B.&C.CO. in 1943.

 

75G - caliber and type of gun

TNT - type of filler

PROJ.A.P.C.M61A1 - model of shell

WITH TRACER - shows it contains tracer 

SUPER - indicates the casing has been supercharged with more propellant 

[kuljak003]

Period cutaway of an M61A1 

[Charlie Flick]

Very well done!  I don't see a lot of 75 mm ammunition around these days.

 

Your post reminded me of this image.  The caption for it reads:  The crew of a Sherman tank of the British 8th Armoured Brigade loading ammunition for the 75-mm gun near Xanten, Germany. 21/03/1945

 

Thanks for the post.

 

Regards,

Charlie

[Persian Gulf Command]

Yes, a great APC Tank Round for your display.

 

Looks like the "SUPER" marked casing is original as I see it indicated on the casing head as well.

[Bodes]

Very nice!...Congrats!...Bodes

[kuljak003]

1 hour ago, Charlie Flick said:

Very well done!  I don't see a lot of 75 mm ammunition around these days.

 

Your post reminded me of this image.  The caption for it reads:  The crew of a Sherman tank of the British 8th Armoured Brigade loading ammunition for the 75-mm gun near Xanten, Germany. 21/03/1945

 

Thanks for the post.

 

Regards,

Charlie

 

Thanks Charlie!

I agree these rounds, or any tank rounds for the matter, have dried up extremely fast over the past few years. The only 75mm I could find were already in museums or private collections and the ones for sale were halfway decent recreations with incorrect markings or paint. 

 

The next on my list is a 75mm HE shell like those in that photo- it might be awhile because the only one I've seen come up in the past year was perfect except for the post war fuse (M577). I've never come across an original M48 fuse. 

[kuljak003]

49 minutes ago, Persian Gulf Command said:

Yes, a great APC Tank Round for your display.

 

Looks like the "SUPER" marked casing is original as I see it indicated on the casing head as well.

Yes I believe all the markings on the casing are original. It also looks like the casing was for an HE shell- "M48" very faint but is stamped underneath the lot number. 

[M24 Chaffee]

Great looking example!

 

Frank

[917601]

Added for interest, a 75mm new in can M500 fuze, stuck in a 75 promo, sitting in a short 75mm casing. The way I received it, a well done repaint.