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Bofors AP-T shell with original paint

Darkman

Well-Known Member
Another nice recent acquisition is this 40mm Bofors Mk IV T, AP-T shell. It was made in 2-44 and filled 4-44. I know who the filling factory Cr/C was, but not the maker MH/C. I’ll take a guess that the maker is Massey-Harris/Canada, can anyone confirm this please?

Thanks, Graeme
 

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Darkman, why is this a BOFORS AP-T & not a 2pdr Vickers S gun projectile? Regards Ozzi.

Because the cannelure groove position matches Bofors, and it’s stamped 40mm Mk IV T. S gun would be nice, but I’m also not sure if they made that ammunition in Canada
 
Darkman, thanks for the reply, but I remember reading (maybe on this forum) that some S Gun carts. were also headstamped 40mm. Is there any documentation directly linking this type of proj. to BOFORS ammunition as opposed to S Gun? Cheers Ozzi.
 
Darkman, thanks for the reply, but I remember reading (maybe on this forum) that some S Gun carts. were also headstamped 40mm. Is there any documentation directly linking this type of proj. to BOFORS ammunition as opposed to S Gun? Cheers Ozzi.

Yes, later war Bofors manual indicates SAP/T and AP/T shot. Reading the manual, mine is actually an SAP/T because it only has a white tip with red ring (tracer). AP/T would have another white ring below the red ring.
 
Ozzi, if you put an s gun and Bofors ap projectile together they are clearly different. Apart from the stampings on the body, mk no etc they are different weights, shape and the s gun projectile base is very different with a cavity that is not made for a tracer. This has a screw in disc on early Mks, not fitted on later ones. As for cases, I have only seen a few marked 40mm.
Most are standard 2 PDR naval cases. cheers Tig.
 
Interesting to see another shell of the same type with more or less the exact same markings as the one I have in my collection..

Bockscar.
 

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Darkman, why is this a BOFORS AP-T & not a 2pdr Vickers S gun projectile? Regards Ozzi.

Further research on this site indicates that the S-gun projectile is 164mm long and has a distinctly sharper nose ogive curve. The Bofors AP is 155/156mm long and has a much more curved nose. Mine is 155mm and has the gentler nose curve.
 
Interesting to see another shell of the same type with more or less the exact same markings as the one I have in my collection..

Bockscar.

Basically identical shell even down to the filler and date!
Mine has a P for practice stamped on it and they have a yellow practice band? Do you know why it would be designated as a practice shell and not just an SAP/T? The full AP/T would be Forged Steel and these are only Bar Steel but seems strange to call an SAP shell a practice.
 
Thanks tigbrand, for that, I have never seen either in the flesh & you have described the difference for me to know more when/if I ever encounter 1. Regards Ozzi.
 
Well spotted!
And with the exact same red lot number as Darkmans and my own example!
And here was me thinking I had a rare one!

Bockscar.
 
They also seem to have the same filling date, 4/44. I'm starting to think someone had a whole clip of them and sold them piecemeal.
 
They also seem to have the same filling date, 4/44. I'm starting to think someone had a whole clip of them and sold them piecemeal.

I'd say there's been a whole box of them (at least) if they've been dispersed all over the world - Canada, Australia and France!
 
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