Image shows examples of Bethlehem Steel Company 1pdr. rounds and cases as supplied to France in WW1. These are not so rare as misunderstood. I have more examples of these than shown but they all look the same ! The French bought B.S.C. 1pdr. MKA Mod 1 cannon as a back up gun, likely for use against German Tanks. In practice they weren't as handy as the 1916 37mm Gun and were not likely used much. At wars end they were given to the U.S. Army which is why these are not seen in France. The American 1pdr. round was supplied to France and a large number of casings were supplied also. The French loaded these with the three basic 37mm projectiles as shown. I believe that the lower lot numbered cases were supplied with the American projectile and that the 600 and 700 lot series were loaded by France. I do not yet know whether specific lots were loaded with specific projectiles. These cases and projectiles were likely removed in mass unloading after the war and the French projectiles returned to army stocks, (which is why these are never found intact) and the American projectiles mixed with cases in no order. Many cases and projectiles shown signs of polishing for the tourist market. So far it looks like the purchasing was done during 1917 and included some 1916 dated material, I doubt that 1918 B.S.C. munitions were needed or imported. I am looking for 2-17 and 3-17 dated cases and a 1917 fuse. If you have one of these I would also like to know the markings on projectile and case as I am recording these. On another note, during 1916 Britian imported a large quantity of unloaded 37x136r cases from the U.S.. Does any one know what these were used for and how they were loaded?
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