5 IN MK5 38CAL Ordnance shell

[Misfit 45]

Hi Folks,

I'm a bayonet guy, not a bomb guy.  I got this to "display" my socket bayonets.  I didn't know until I "dusted" it off a bit that it was dated 1944.  Good news!

Now I would like a bit more information about it.  Obviously, it's a TEST CASE and it's Navy.    What kind of gun fired this round.  Why is it called a 38CAL.  I don't think it'll fit in my Smith and Wesson. 

By the way, it's 15" long.  Thanks for the info.

Marv

[Bodes]

It's a Naval deck and anti-aircraft gun round....5-inch is the caliber.....38 Caliber is the length of the barrel of the gun which fires it.....My guess is it (case) was used for testing the integrity of the casing and not for firing an actual round through.....Bodes

[Misfit 45]

Thanks for all the information.

Here it is in its current service to America.  As a TEST CASE, it may not be a full length case, or someone cut it a little shorter.  In some videos I saw, it looked like the shell casing should be a little longer than this one.

Marv

[Taber10]

According to Hawkinson's (RCJ Cartridges) book, Big Bore Ammunition, the 5"/38/54 Test Cartridge is 127 X 389R and the 5"/38 is 127 x 680R.  So, significantly shortened!