Spaceinvader
Well-Known Member
Hello all,
over the last 6 months or so I have been getting 4 sets of Chinese APFSDS sabots. 3 sets of 105mm, and one set of 125mm. I probably paid more than I should have but I have never seen them anywhere else, and could not let the opportunity pass.
Of the 4 sets, 2 of them are the same type of short 105mm, however only one set is pictured as the other set is in the mail on the way to me. The other 105mm set is a longer type, and the final set is 125mm. I talked with Jason earlier about what types they are and would like to know if anyone has some documents or other info on them.
Each set of sabots appears to be lab tests with numbers engraved on the inside cup, on each sabot. Since these are range recoveries they are not all matching, and slightly damaged or scraped up. The larger 105mm set and the 125mm as pictured are slightly bent and dont fit together perfectly. They are being held together with rubber bands until I can find a way to make nice, good looking drive bands.
I have provided photos below, and info about each one. I apologize in advance for the photo quality. I am using my cellphone as my good camera is still out of service.
The first set, the short 105mm sabots. Each sabot has 2 holes in the front cup for a total of 6 holes. Also interesting and I have not seen before on any sabots is stamped markings. They are on the sides and bottom's of the sabots with reoccurring ones like "G G" either together or spaced apart. Also stamped on are numbers in circles, like "35" or "10". Does anyone have any ideas on what they mean? These ones have 2 break-away retaining rings in the top and bottom of the sabots.
The next set which is the longer 105mm type are more interesting. They also have 2 holes in the front cup for 6 holes, but have what I can only guess to be weight reduction holes or material saving holes drilled into the bottoms of the sabots. 2 holes per sabot again for a total of 6. If not weight reduction or material savings, what could they be? This set also has 2 break-away retaining rings in the top and bottom. There is also possibly markings in the bottom, but could be very coincidental dents/scratches but figured I would ask. One seems to be a "D" shape, and the other a stylized "M"?
And by far the most interesting point, is the buttress grooves. I have tried to picture them as best as possible, another I have not seen before. Starting from the bottom of the petal, the buttress groves are fairly small, and moving up to the middle of the petal the buttress grooves get much bigger, and up to the top back to the smaller grooves like the bottom. Is there any advantage to this? Seems like more work for the same outcome.
The final set is the 125mm set. Slightly bent (possibly) and burned but good shape. When this set arrived it even had the Chinese firing range mud on them. It is odd that it seems to have two cups on it, the normal front one and the one below it. Not a whole lot to say on this one, but it is now the largest set I have and a favorite. Sometime I plan on making a replica 2 part CCC case, as I also have a Chinese 125mm aft cap coming too. I doubt I will ever find the penetrators for these sabots but they are well loved anyways.
All have been pictured with a 120mm US M865 TPCSDS projectile (for the Americans) and a 120mm set of L29A1 sabots (for the Brits :tinysmile_fatgrin_t). I also included a picture of what I believe is all 3 sabot types with their complete rounds! I hope you all enjoy, and maybe have some info too!
Rhys
View attachment 132844View attachment 132849View attachment 132845View attachment 132846View attachment 132848View attachment 132847View attachment 132833View attachment 132839View attachment 132850View attachment 132843View attachment 132842View attachment 132841View attachment 132840View attachment 132835View attachment 132834View attachment 132836View attachment 132837View attachment 132838
over the last 6 months or so I have been getting 4 sets of Chinese APFSDS sabots. 3 sets of 105mm, and one set of 125mm. I probably paid more than I should have but I have never seen them anywhere else, and could not let the opportunity pass.
Of the 4 sets, 2 of them are the same type of short 105mm, however only one set is pictured as the other set is in the mail on the way to me. The other 105mm set is a longer type, and the final set is 125mm. I talked with Jason earlier about what types they are and would like to know if anyone has some documents or other info on them.
Each set of sabots appears to be lab tests with numbers engraved on the inside cup, on each sabot. Since these are range recoveries they are not all matching, and slightly damaged or scraped up. The larger 105mm set and the 125mm as pictured are slightly bent and dont fit together perfectly. They are being held together with rubber bands until I can find a way to make nice, good looking drive bands.
I have provided photos below, and info about each one. I apologize in advance for the photo quality. I am using my cellphone as my good camera is still out of service.
The first set, the short 105mm sabots. Each sabot has 2 holes in the front cup for a total of 6 holes. Also interesting and I have not seen before on any sabots is stamped markings. They are on the sides and bottom's of the sabots with reoccurring ones like "G G" either together or spaced apart. Also stamped on are numbers in circles, like "35" or "10". Does anyone have any ideas on what they mean? These ones have 2 break-away retaining rings in the top and bottom of the sabots.
The next set which is the longer 105mm type are more interesting. They also have 2 holes in the front cup for 6 holes, but have what I can only guess to be weight reduction holes or material saving holes drilled into the bottoms of the sabots. 2 holes per sabot again for a total of 6. If not weight reduction or material savings, what could they be? This set also has 2 break-away retaining rings in the top and bottom. There is also possibly markings in the bottom, but could be very coincidental dents/scratches but figured I would ask. One seems to be a "D" shape, and the other a stylized "M"?
And by far the most interesting point, is the buttress grooves. I have tried to picture them as best as possible, another I have not seen before. Starting from the bottom of the petal, the buttress groves are fairly small, and moving up to the middle of the petal the buttress grooves get much bigger, and up to the top back to the smaller grooves like the bottom. Is there any advantage to this? Seems like more work for the same outcome.
The final set is the 125mm set. Slightly bent (possibly) and burned but good shape. When this set arrived it even had the Chinese firing range mud on them. It is odd that it seems to have two cups on it, the normal front one and the one below it. Not a whole lot to say on this one, but it is now the largest set I have and a favorite. Sometime I plan on making a replica 2 part CCC case, as I also have a Chinese 125mm aft cap coming too. I doubt I will ever find the penetrators for these sabots but they are well loved anyways.
All have been pictured with a 120mm US M865 TPCSDS projectile (for the Americans) and a 120mm set of L29A1 sabots (for the Brits :tinysmile_fatgrin_t). I also included a picture of what I believe is all 3 sabot types with their complete rounds! I hope you all enjoy, and maybe have some info too!
Rhys
View attachment 132844View attachment 132849View attachment 132845View attachment 132846View attachment 132848View attachment 132847View attachment 132833View attachment 132839View attachment 132850View attachment 132843View attachment 132842View attachment 132841View attachment 132840View attachment 132835View attachment 132834View attachment 132836View attachment 132837View attachment 132838
Attachments
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Chinese sabots.jpg -
chinese short 105mm.jpg -
chinese short 105mm markings4.jpg -
chinese short 105mm markings3.jpg -
chinese short 105mm markings2.jpg -
chinese short 105mm markings1.jpg -
Chinese long 105mm apart.jpg -
Chinese long 105mm.jpg -
Chinese long 105mm wrh.jpg -
Chinese long 105mm markings2.jpg -
Chinese long 105mm markings.jpg -
Chinese long 105mm buttress grooves.jpg -
125mm sabots.jpg -
125mm sabots3.jpg -
125mm.jpg -
APFSDS ammunition.jpg -
Chinese 125mm complete cartridge2.jpg -
Chinese 125mm complete cartridge.jpg
