37mm M74 AP Weight?

[marty_01]

I have been looking for an accurate weight on United States projectile:

37mm M74 Armor Piercing -- Projectile in-flight weight.

I have seen many internet sites stating its weight as 0.87-kgs (~1.92lbs). I am wondering if this is the correct projectile weight as it is the same weight as the capped 37mm Projectile M51. Conversely the weight of 37mm M80 AP is only 0.753-kg (~1.66-lbs).

Thanks for any help
marty

 

[HAZORD]

The M80 projo should weigh less, it is designed to be shorter and lighter than the M74, to cause less recoil.

 

[Gspragge]

M74

It is a longer solid projectile and should weigh the same as the M51 series, though it isn't mentioned in my information and maybe was obsolete mid war. The M80 is identical to the M51 minus cap. My question is; were some uncapped M51 shot used prior to being designated M80 to avoid confusion with the capped shot ? I may have posted an image comparing them.

 

[shelldude]

Hello Marty_01,

Here are the weights of my M74 & M80 37mm AP projectiles without their tracer element included.

M74 37MM AP - 1lb & 14.7oz (Lower projectile in photo)

M80 37MM AP - 1lb & 10.4oz (Upper projectile in photo)

Best regards, Randall

 

[Gspragge]

M80 - m51

Here is an M80 beside an uncapped M51 - identical . Did the M51 (undated) ever have a cap in this case. If not was it used in the 37x145r MKlllA2 cases ? Other capless examples have solder remains where the cap was attached, this shows no sign. It looks as though it had been soldered into a casing at one time.

What is the date of your M80.


I am looking for a 1944 dated 37x145r MKlllA2 case with an all round crimp 1/2" (maybe 15/32s +-) down from the top.

 

[marty_01]

Thanks very much guys. That was very helpful.

A somewhat related question regarding WWII US-Army 37mm AP:

The United Stated Sent over a fair number of Stuarts to the British during the North African Campaign. I am wondering what sort of 37mm Armor Piercing ammunition was sent along with the tanks -- particularly during the early campaigns in Libya 41-42'ish -- Crusader & Gazala (etc) are of particular interest.

I know that several versions of M51 APC were produced. The early version of M51 APC apparently had a muzzle velocity of only 2600-fps -- this wasnt the training version either. A later version of M51 APC had a muzzle velocity of 2900-fps (brass cases) & 2800-fps (steel cases). SO does anyone know if the British recieved ammo-lots of the earlier lower velocity M51 or the newer higher velocity M51 APC during the period of 1941 - 1942. Or; were they getting only lots of M74 AP?

Thanks much

 

[shelldude]

WWII 37MM AP manufacture dates...

Hello Gspragge & Marty,

The dated 37MM AP projectiles in my collection are:
M74 AP - 1942
M80 AP - 1943
M51B1 APC - 1943
M51B2 APC - 1943

I suspect the stockpile of M74's were issued first during 1941-1942. The A.P.C. design was a significant improvement over the older "shot" design.

I'll keep my eyes open for a 1944 dated MIIIA2 with a continues crimp.

Best regards, Randall

 

[Gspragge]

M80

My projectiles are dated

42 with the thin crimp groove and 44 with the wider deeper groove, I also had one dated 45. The later (44-45) MKlllA2 cases have the all round crimp. The difference is that the M51 & M54 projectiles use a crimp about 1/4 inch down, the M80 uses the crimp that is about 1/2 down, a more stable fit as these didn't have the boat tail designed projectile bodies.