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Bridgeport Brass USA contracts for Britain - for what kind of cartridges?

jeff w

Well-Known Member
I ran across 5 foreign contracts that Bridgeport Brass (Bridgeport Connecticut USA) had for Britain;
Award date Completion Date Value
5/1940 8/1941 $1.4million
9/1940 8/1941 $1.1mill
10/1940 2/1942 $421thousand
10/1940 7/1942 $451 thou
1/1941 2/1942 $1.5million

The contract summaries only said for "cartridge cases".
Based on existing examples one was for 75mm M18 cartridge cases and one was for 2 pounder cases.
Anybody ever seen any other types of cartridges made by Bridgeport Brass (logo was a "B" inside a diamond - see picture) in the British format?
Guessing they would be needing 37mm M16 for the new Grant tanks, 6 pounder for the new ATG, and maybe Bofors AA? Or maybe the other 3 contracts were just for additional amounts of 75mm and 2 pounder...???
B in Diamond 18 1941 Bridgeport Brass Company mine.jpg
 
I checked my headstamp references and only have the 2Pr No2 cases. Your case photo is blurred so is it 1941 Lot 18 ?
I have 1942 dates with lots 64, 106, 108, 110 and 114 listed. My lot 106 has the broad arrow and I guess the others do too.
 
I checked my headstamp references and only have the 2Pr No2 cases. Your case photo is blurred so is it 1941 Lot 18 ?
I have 1942 dates with lots 64, 106, 108, 110 and 114 listed. My lot 106 has the broad arrow and I guess the others do too.

Yes, 1941 Lot 18. Thanks for the reply.

Unbelievable- I was just on eBay and looked at some trench art and there was another Bridgeport Brass case type! So a third type was the No 1 MKII. This dated 1942, so probably from the 3rd - 5th contract above.
Listing is "TRENCH ART CANDLESTICKS WWII ART 5 1/8x2" SOLID BRASS SHELLS USA Pencil Holders".

Bridgeport Brass 1942.jpg
 
From my former collection:

37 mm M16
LOT 56 23141-26 <B> 1942 and LOT 56 23141-7 <B> 1942

75 mm M18 LOT 9 1940

Not in my list but if I remember correctly I also owned a 76 mm M26 case
 
Last edited by a moderator:
Today while putting a spare 75mm Sherman case up for sale i noticed that it also has a BBC headstamp, just thought i would post it as another reference pic.
Best Weasel
sherman 75mm 5.jpg
 
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