13.2 x 99

[Big Al]

I have a 13.2 x 99 French Heavy Machinegun round.

Heastamp is 4 S.F. 32 S.F.

It has a blue coloured wooden projectile.

Did this round have a special purpose?

It looks like a typical wooden blank.

 

[TonyE]

As you surmise, it is a wood bulleted blank, made by SFM using their own case metal.

Regards
TonyE

 

[Big Al]

The reason I asked was that the collector I got the round from "suggested" that the round may have had another purpose.

He thought that the round may have been used for clearing and/or cleaning the gun.

This may have some validity in that wooden rounds are rather unusual in heavy macine guns. I do not recall anyAmmerican (50BMG) or Russian (12.7, 14.5) rounds with wooden bullets.

 

[TonyE]

Sorry, but I have to disagree with that. The practice of using wood bulleted blanks has a long tradition in Europe and the French loaded them in all their military calibres, 13.2mm, 8mm Lebel, 7.5mm etc.

I have seen gun clearing rounds in 20mm Oerlikon, Hispano and Aden and none have a wood bullet.

Regards
TonyE

 

[smle2009]

Egypt did use a wood bulleted blank in 12.7x108mm.


Cheers
Tony

 

[EOD]

Egypt did use a wood bulleted blank in 12.7x108mm.


Cheers
Tony

Dou you happen to have an image of this one?
The Fins had one they experimented with and they used Russian cases with crew in primers.

 

[smle2009]

http://www.russianammo.org/Russian_Ammunition_Page_145mm.html#2


Cheers
Tony

 

[EOD]

A, now I remember that one.
Actually this is the only one I ever heard of. Wonder if it really is a blank and genuine.