4.85mm Brit Experimental Ammunition

[SpudGun]

Thought I'd post a photo of my small 4.85 collection.

1. 5mm x 44 Ball Original round

2. 4.85mm x 49 Drill made from a 44mm case with a collar added to extend the case length to 49mm

3. 4.85mm x 49 Ball

4. 4.85mm x 49 Dummy

5. 4.85mm x 49 Tracer

6. 4.85mm x 49 Practice Training/Blank

7. 4.85mm x 49 Blank

8. 4.85mm x 49 Short Range

9. 4.85mm x 49 Grenade Propulsive Cartridge

( I'm looking for any 4.85mm rounds not shown above particularly those with a Violet tip to the bullet, to buy or trade.)

 

[TonyE]

That is a good representative selection of the 5mm/4.85mm series.

I have a few more that I need to photograph, but here are some.

Regards
TonyE

 

[Jimiles]

Here's a picture of one of the violet-tipped rounds that Spudgun's referring to.....so if anybody finds one lying about, and they want to give it a good home, Spudgun's your man! :wink:

 

[SpudGun]

TonyE, I see on your first round in the photo that there is a green mark going down the length of the "bullet" . There is a similar mark on mine except it's black. Are these marks of any significance ?

 

[TonyE]

Yes, these are marks put on the rounds by the lab. at Enfield. What they mean has been lost in the mists of time, but they probably represent different charge weights or perhaps different plastics. There were many different types of plastic tried to get a round that was robust enough but split easily. It is hard to believe that these trials all took place between 35 and 40 years ago. It only seems like yesterday.

There is a very comprehensive collection of components for all the 5/4.85mm experimental rounds in the NFC at Leeds and at some time in the near future I intend to document them. There is also a terrific display from the British presentation at the NATO trials that has some "one-off" hand made examples of the 4.85mm rounds. These were for illustration only but include red fluted drill, Inspectors dummy, coppered proof and black tipped AP.

Jim - I have a similar round to yours plus a violet tipped one with a purple "blob" on the head.

Regards
TonyE

 

[Jimiles]

Jim - I have a similar round to yours plus a violet tipped one with a purple "blob" on the head.

Do you have any thoughts on what the coloured paint splashes could indicate Tony? I have another 44mm caselength violet-tipped round with no colouring on the head at all.

 

[SpudGun]

Thanks Tony.

Simon

 

[jonnyc]

Here's my small collection. I think there are a few here to add to those already shown:

 

[raymeketa]

Question for you 4.85mm Ex-spurts out there. Most of my specemins have that same very dark color in the neck/shoulder area. I know it's from the annealing process, but why is the color so dark when compared with anneal colors of most other military cases??

Ray