3 inch, MK II shell casing.

[917601]

I have this lacquered steel shell casing, 23 inches tall. What type of projectile will I need to keep it correct? The only markings legible is stamped in yellow on the case side. See picture. I suspect it is US Army, is it a tank round or an artillery round? Marking, " 3 IN. MK II M2 B1 Lot 3298 1944". I have it pictured next to a Navy 3 in for comparison. Once again, thank you for your time and knowledge.

 

[jeff w]

For the M10 tank destroyer or M5 3" anti-tank gun. Made for killing tanks.

M42 HE or M79 AP or M62 APCBC would be appropriate. Or if you are really lucky an M93 HVAP.

 

[917601]

For the M10 tank destroyer or M5 3" anti-tank gun. Made for killing tanks.

M42 HE or M79 AP or M62 APCBC would be appropriate. Or if you are really lucky an M93 HVAP.

I am confused by the 3 inch designation. Is the 3 inch also 76mm? In other words, so I do not make a buying mistake, what markings would the projectile be marked with?

 

[HAZORD]

You asked the same question on Feb 21. The answer is still the same:

http://www.bocn.co.uk/vbforum/threads/94109-3IN-Cartridge-Case-MK-II-M2?highlight=tank+destroyer

About every 2 weeks to 2 months, someone asks the same questions.

BOCN has a wealth of information if you use the SEARCH function.

All of the other threads on this subject:

http://www.bocn.co.uk/vbforum/threads/89974-Canadian-M62A1-3-inch-AP-Round?highlight=tank+destroyer

http://www.bocn.co.uk/vbforum/threads/91704-Unidentified-76-mm-round?highlight=tank+destroyer

http://www.bocn.co.uk/vbforum/threads/58848-3Inch-M62-A1-Projectile?highlight=tank+destroyer

http://www.bocn.co.uk/vbforum/threads/38079-3IN-Case-ID?highlight=tank+destroyer

http://www.bocn.co.uk/vbforum/threa...or-3-quot-Projectile?highlight=tank+destroyer

http://www.bocn.co.uk/vbforum/threa...3-inch-or-what-!-!-!?highlight=tank+destroyer

http://www.bocn.co.uk/vbforum/threads/80506-Would-this-be-a-75mm-or-76mm?highlight=tank+destroyer

http://www.bocn.co.uk/vbforum/threa...-75mm-APC-projectile?highlight=tank+destroyer

http://www.bocn.co.uk/vbforum/threads/80279-New-member-mystery-projectile?highlight=tank+destroyer

http://www.bocn.co.uk/vbforum/threads/80142-M79-76mm-vs-3-inch?highlight=tank+destroyer

http://www.bocn.co.uk/vbforum/threads/79764-Is-is-75mm-76mm-or-3-inch?highlight=tank+destroyer

http://www.bocn.co.uk/vbforum/threads/43248-Identification-Tips?highlight=tank+destroyer

http://www.bocn.co.uk/vbforum/threads/73338-need-help-with-shell?highlight=tank+destroyer

http://www.bocn.co.uk/vbforum/threa...-US-before-amp-after?highlight=tank+destroyer

http://www.bocn.co.uk/vbforum/threads/70259-1944-M62-3in-projectile?highlight=tank+destroyer

http://www.bocn.co.uk/vbforum/threads/50661-3inch-M62-proj?highlight=tank+destroyer

http://www.bocn.co.uk/vbforum/threads/46205-US-M62-AT-Projectile?highlight=tank+destroyer

http://www.bocn.co.uk/vbforum/threads/40159-id-please?highlight=tank+destroyer

 

[917601]

Thank You for the search results. I have read them all, more than once to let it all sink in. My " searches " are terrible as I usually do not put in the correct nomenclature. Your results covered everything plus more. I noticed much talk about " restoration" processes. I will try to redeem myself offering a trick I have used on many older pieces where there is rust combined with original paint and it has become dull and faded. I use what is called Ospho, a mild phosphoric acid primer. I brush it on , let sit for 30 minutes, rinse with water and put in the sun to dry. The rust turns black and is hardened, and the paint that has oxidized becomes vibrant. I used it on an old, faded, rusty 155mm propellant tank, it now looks new issue. I also used it on the 3in MK II steel case, see pictures. The lacquered steel case came out wonderful, a nice " shine" where the lacquer was, and darkened, preserved look where the rust was. The yellow lettering now looks very bright also

 

[auto151mg]

Mine is dated 1943 and has no head stamps. Projectile is dated 1942.

 

[HAZORD]

Auto151MG,

Can you tell us what all the printing says on the outside of your projectile, because it is a navy 3 inch 50 cal projectile?

 

[auto151mg]

It's hard to read so here goes. " 3/50 AP PROJ MK 20-2 , below " BDF M66A2 (ARMY) ?R INTEGRAL". In white paint. Driving band is marked " LOT 108 42 MK. 29 MOD. 2 3in.A.P. sideways anchor US anchor DSB sideways anchor. Has a J and 3 stamped in the metal on the body. Has white paint markings above the other lines but is very hard to make out what it say's.

 

[HAZORD]

OK, that makes complete sense. The Navy APHE projectile used the Army fuze. The Army 76mm gun used the Navy 3 inch Illuminating projectile.

They kind of had a trade of technology going during the war.

OK, here is the bad news. That projectile doesn't go with that case. It goes in a 3 inch 50cal case, like the one shown at the beginning of this thread. The correct case has a more radiused and pronounced bottleneck.

The projectile you need is the 3 inch/76mm army M62 APHE projo. Its a little taller than yours with a bigger rotating band. If you look at the threads I listed above, you can find info on it.

 

[auto151mg]

I have one in another 3in/50 case. I picked up the one in the pictures at a gun show long ago and thought it did not look right. But for the price could not pass it up. It's one of two that I have seen with the red markings on. My projectile is a repaint from a gentleman I traded a British 25pr case and 37mm blunt tip training round for. I also got a 6pr APC British projectile. But he repainted that also.