37 x 119R Winchester

[Tony Williams]

I have a round in my collection which is identified as a 37 x 119R Winchester round for the USN, dated 1891. It can be seen in this photo on my website (labelled as a 37 x 120R - the actual measurement is 119.5 mm, so take your pick!).



I decided to find out more about it after seeing a demonstration of Bapty's blank-firing five-barrel Hotchkiss rotary cannon in this calibre. However, I found that I have no info on it, and surprisingly it doesn't seem to be covered in Mellichamp Vol 1 either.

Does anyone know the projectile weight and muzzle velocity? Also, any history of the guns? Was the USN the only user; how many did they buy; between which dates were they used? I presume that they were phased out when the "USN 1 Pounder Mk 6, Heavy" Maxim type gun chambered in 37x136R was introduced?

Any help appreciated.

 

[bdgreen]

http://cdm17097.contentdm.oclc.org/cdm/singleitem/collection/WRAC/id/10158/rec/3

 

[highlandotter]

The 37 x 120R was used primarily in an Army gun, Mellichamp has it on page 485-487. The army guns saw some combat in the Indian Wars and in Cuba and the Philippines.The Army had 19 and the Navy 77. Projectile weight 1 pound, max velocity 1395 fps, max range 1500 yards. Dates of service, 1878-1900.

 

[Tony Williams]

The 37 x 120R was used primarily in an Army gun, Mellichamp has it on page 485-487. The army guns saw some combat in the Indian Wars and in Cuba and the Philippines.The Army had 19 and the Navy 77. Projectile weight 1 pound, max velocity 1395 fps, max range 1500 yards. Dates of service, 1878-1900.

That information is very useful, thank you! I trawled through Mellichamp but somehow missed it... :stupid:

 

[Tony Williams]

Projectile weight 1 pound,

A slight problem with this: 1 pound = 454 g, but I have weighed my base-fuzed common shell and it comes to 490 g without filling or fuze. Since the filling was around 25 g black powder (that's for the nose-fuzed, I don't have a weight for the base-fuzed) I guess the complete weight must have been approaching 550 g (does anyone know what a typical base fuze for a 19th century 37mm weighs?). Which would presumably make it a 1 1/4 pounder...

 

[highlandotter]

490g is right for empty projectile. Just weighed 2. Fuze inert, 26g. One pounder is rather generic. I have examples from 13-14 different countries and all vary, none exact 1 pound ! I guess considering the different languages, and possible weight systems, it is reasonable.

 

[Gspragge]

I put this together some years ago from various sources. It is an Army gun and while Hotchkiss would sell to anyone
I haven't heard of them (37x120 1pr Heavy) being used by anyone else, which doesn't mean they weren't.
I don't believe the U.S. Navy ever used this caliber only the Army had them. The U.S. Army also prior to buying the heavy 1pr.
had some of the lighter 37x94 Revolving Cannon in service.The last image is the 5th page otherwise in order.

 

[Tony Williams]

This is terrific info, Gordon, thank you very much!