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3.7 inch AA collection

Darkman

Well-Known Member
Here's a collection of 3.7" heavy AA ordnance shown by a fellow forum member at the Australian Cartridge Collector's Association (ACCA) AGM in Shepparton, Victoria yesterday.

Not sure if this is the complete set or not, but it's a pretty fair accomplishment to put this lot together. A New Zealand collector at the meeting suggested that there is also a shrapnel variation with a late WW2 VT proximity fuse with partial red plastic outer shell and brass tip.

The collection includes the very rare shrapnel shell, HE, HES, APT, & flat top proof. Also shown is the wooden drill round, several cartridge cases, 199 igniferous fuses, a 207 clockwork fuse, fuse covers and a rare No. 11 gaine on the extreme LHS (well they are rare in Aus).

He is yet to repaint the HE as only recently acquired, and I don't think the stencilling on the shrapnel is correct being only a reiteration of the shell stampings rather than filling details.

Most of the shells are Australian made with stampings for BHP steel and MO (Maribyrnong Ordnance Factory, Melbourne) with WW2 dates.

Great to see a collection like this displayed.
 

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What is it with shirtless ordnance exercising?
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We used M1903 Springfields in the USN bootcamp. Got real tired of having to tote them around. Also had to qualify with one. Such a joke. But it was a fun day of shootin'.

That pic has hung in my shop for years.
 
here's Tony Dempsky's beautiful artwork for the 3.7" - oh to have one of each round!
 

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Very nice collection. I have a case and a No.199 fuze, but am still looking for a projectile.

Considering how many were made, they are virtually impossible to find here.
 
They all got fired at Germans and Buzz Bombs


Sent from my NSA/FBI tapped iPhone using Tapatalk
 
I have had an unfired HE projectile for years and recently picked up an unfired though rusty AP. I have cartridges for both but really need a fuze for the HE. Would prefer a 199 but happy with a 207 or 208. Anybody have a spare?
 
and what goes up must eventually come down (apart from prices that is) - see the example of UK AA ammunition expenditure, in this case for the period 11th to 19th June 1943! (from the 'secret, numbered copy circulation' weekly Anti Aircraft Command reports issued to Major Gerald Rolls, Intelligence Officer, 2nd AA Group). Does make you wonder just how much so called bomb damage was actually caused by the fragments of all those large calibre shells and rockets coming back down! Dave
 

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here is my recent purchase from a Estate sale ! all i know is that its a 3.7" ACK ACK rnd (thinking shrapnel maybe) ! i did a group by in order to get these 2 big shell's, have 2 wooden crate's which hold 2 3.7" rnd's each to pick up yet !
this is my first post using the proper method of uploading pics so i hope i don't spoil the thread
 

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