20.5 x 126/B

[SG500]

Another recent addition.
Does anyone have any information on this 20.5x126 case? Gun, projectile type etc.?
Thanks.
Dave.

 

[kahu1]

Hi Dave,

No info ,but a nice find.
Maybe a 30/20 variation , case looks to be DEFA style?

cheers
Bob

 

[SG500]

Hi Dave,

No info ,but a nice find.
Maybe a 30/20 variation , case looks to be DEFA style?

cheers
Bob

Thanks Bob, yes, that seems very logical. Obviously its made by Manurhin and as they make Defa cases it makes a lot of sense.
If you compare it to a 30/20 Aden the rim diameter is the same at 33.2mm but the Aden is longer at 135mm compared to this one which is 126mm. When I get a chance tomorrow I'll photograph them together.
Dave.

 

[charley777]

Yes kahu1 is probably correct as the rim size is 33.2mm as in the DEFA, etc rounds.
I have it listed as a French experimental.
Unusual calibre. More information required!

 

[Tony Williams]

This is from the Ammo Photo Gallery on my website:

19-20mm EXPERIMENTAL CARTRIDGES 19x114R (WW1 Szakats), 20x110 (for scale), 20x72RB(E) (WW1 Ehrhard), 20x120RB Simonetta (1930s), 20x135 Polte (German pre-WW2: replica), 20x138RB (German WW2 unknown: replica), 20x122 case (post-WW2 French AA 5CG series), 20x126B (post-WW2 French AA 5CG series - used German projectiles), 20X158RB (US T5, for post-WW2 T33 aircraft gun)
​

 

[charley777]

Thanks Tony, that's very interesting. So 20.5 is stamped on the case but if German projectiles were used, one would expect it to be 20mm calibre.
Perhaps, as in small-arms ammo the calibre and "bullet" diameter are different sizes. (Depending on whether one measures across grooves or lands).

 

[rcaf53]

Hi Dave I checked my case "same head stamp",think it should be called a 20x126B french exp..
Standard 20mm proj a snug fit.
FRANK

 

[SG500]

Hi Dave I checked my case "same head stamp",think it should be called a 20x126B french exp..
Standard 20mm proj a snug fit.
FRANK

Thanks for the feedback guys.
Regarding the headstamp, that ones really confused me too. I attach a couple of photos of the Aden 20 x 135 (shown to right in all photographs) next to this 20.5 x 126. The odd thing is the 20mm Aden projectile doesn't fit into the 20.5 French one!! The Aden of course has to accommodate the Aden driving band also but the base of the projectile doesn't even fit either.............
Dave.

 

[kahu1]

Just looking at this post ,i wonder if the case hasn't been through the final draw sizing?. Also maybe the 20 is seperate from the .5(might be a mod. no.?) so possibly not 20.5mm.
Sorry, no answer just more question!

Bob

Thanks for the feedback guys.
Regarding the headstamp, that ones really confused me too. I attach a couple of photos of the Aden 20 x 135 (shown to right in all photographs) next to this 20.5 x 126. The odd thing is the 20mm Aden projectile doesn't fit into the 20.5 French one!! The Aden of course has to accommodate the Aden driving band also but the base of the projectile doesn't even fit either.............
Dave.

 

[charley777]

Probably the " .5 " is part of ther designation and that this is actually a 20mm calibre.
20.5mm makes no sense....
Is it one of the Finabel AA experimentals?

 

[Maverick1112003]

Definitely 20 mm. In France, the decimal separator is the comma, not the point !
The 5 is part of the designation.



Michel