What may not be well documented is that there was no M63 high explosive shell for the M3 antitank gun when it was adopted in 1940. The 1940 manual only shows the Mark 2. The Mark 2 was first used in the Model 1916 cannons that the US got from France in WWI. I have attached pictures from a US Ordnance document - Complete Round Charts - that I found and have never seen anyone reference before. It was published in 1940 and updated in 1941. The Mark 2 HE shell is very hard to find even in the US. I have attached photos of two practice shells that retain much of their original paint and markings. It is interesting to note that these would not be proper to use on an M16 shell case for the M3 gun per the manuals. It only shows the M51 target practice round for the M3 gun.
Sorry. This site does not spell check the title line, and I cannot change it after it is posted.
Sorry. This site does not spell check the title line, and I cannot change it after it is posted.
Attachments
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Complete Round Chart 37mm M1916.jpg276 KB · Views: 33
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37mm Manual 3.jpg268.6 KB · Views: 31
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37mm MkII HE.jpg292.3 KB · Views: 54
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37mm MkII HE 2.jpg298.5 KB · Views: 48
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37mm Manual 2.jpg295.9 KB · Views: 57
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37mm Manual.jpg266.6 KB · Views: 28
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37mm M3 M5 M6 Round Chart Close Up.jpg162.4 KB · Views: 27
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37mm M3 M5 M6 Round Chart.jpg276.4 KB · Views: 23
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Complete Round Charts.jpg274.7 KB · Views: 24
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