25 pounder fixed ammunition. Experimental

[Andy Naude]

Just found this case.

Case length : 438 mm, as opposed to the standard case of 292 mm.

The rim is the same. The diameter of the case mouth is 86 mm. as opposed the standard case of 88,5 mm.

The case is sterile. The primer No.1 Mk 2 6/42

Of interest is the plaque on the case, which reads:

25 - Pr. FIXED AMMUNITION

Fired at potchefstroom on 28 Septe. 1942

Invented by 3 Armd. Division.


Potchefstroom is a town in South Africa.

Any ideas on this one?

 

[hangarman]

Can you tell if the case is one piece? Does the plaque cover a join line?
Cheers
Gary

 

[Andy Naude]

Externally I can see no signs of it being joined. But having used a torch I see what looks like four rings. but this could have been for a wad of sorts.

Andy

 

[Quatermass]

The 25 pounder handbook gives the following dimensions for the chamber:

Length to base of projectile. 14.47 inches (367.538 mm)
Ramming. 19.568 inches (497.02 mm)

If 'Ramming' is the length of the chamber traveled by the projectile until the rifling bites then I can't see why your case length wouldn't work.

 

[hangarman]

I wonder if its a huge "shotgun" cartridge?