37mm M51B1 -PA ?

[DEADLINE222]

I have this 37mm APC M51B1 made by National Powder in 1943.

Anyone have any idea what the"PA" following the nomenclature means?

My guess is Picatinny Arsenal loaded the tracer?

 

[Gspragge]

You are correct , they may have assembled the component parts into complete rounds, others will
know more about this ~

 

[M8owner]

I have been collecting US 37mm since 1991 and have 20 examples of M51B1's. None are marked like yours.

 

[DEADLINE222]

I have a few 37mm carts as well......

Here is the part that is going to hurt....

I was at a massive flea market yesterday when I came upon a table with an old, gold painted 40mm Bofors Cartridge missing the fuze.

"How much you got on this old shell?" Man says "10 bucks, and I have another one here in the back?"

I say "Break out that other shell!"

He goes back to his trailer and pulls it out. I mention it is smaller, and he retorts with "yeah, but it has a projectile."

He thinks for a minute and says "I will take twenty for the pair".

Sold!

The casing was made by Guide Lamp, also in 1943.


The primer, made in 1943 by the Louisiana Army Ammunition Plant.