Did it make the ETO before May 8, 1945?

[Persian Gulf Command]

Question to/Requesting an Opinion, for fellow Ordnance Collectors.

 

Did/Could an APC Tank Round, dated 4/45, have made it to the ETO before May 8, 1945?

[917601]

First, define dated? The date impressed on the projectile body ( or driving band) during manufacturing after passing all QC dimensional checks? In my opinion, No. The manufacturing process had hundreds of steps. After the projectile body was dimensional checked, it was in the " white". Unpainted. After that it would have to have the base fuze/ base tracer installed, or plugged, then the projectile ink stamped ( rolled on ink pad) with the designation ( M number), packaged which would have powder lots, manufacturer, crated again receiving time, manufacture dates, etc....

[Persian Gulf Command]

Driving Band has a 4 -1945 date. It's a 90mm M82 APC.

[gap]

Not likely. 

[Persian Gulf Command]

OK, I'd have to agree with the sentiment that this 4-45 dated round may not have been loaded in a M36 Jackson or M26 Pershing still moving through Germany or Italy.

 

All that given, how rare is a 90mm M82 APC projectile dated during WW2? 

 

Asking anyone who has one in their collection or has pictures of examples that they have seen.

[917601]

I have seen one over the years, long ago. Probably a harder find . Can you post pics?

 

I have the later APC M318 and T33E7 marked post war, Korean War ( 1953). Probably the best is my 1943 M71 HE, factory crimped. I bought it from the grandson of a munitions worker in Illinois area, way back when they gave rejects to employees.  Pics posted for interest.

[Persian Gulf Command]

R,

   If I can secure it, it'll be at the end of the month. I'm really looking forward to the purchase!

 

John