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45mm Russian Case
- Thread starter doppz92
- Start date
Eggburt1969
Well-Known Member
As M8owner stated, but in more detail, it's for the Model 1932/38 (20-K) electrically-fired tank gun variant of the Russian towed 45 mm anti-tank guns, the 1932, 1937 and 1942 (15-K, 53-K and M-42). The 20-K used an electrical primer over the percussion one that was used in the towed anti-tank guns.
I have had many 45mm cases with the percussion primer and Finnish reworks that used a screw in primer. However, I have never held an electric primed tank case. There are very few photos. That is a very rare case from what I can tell. I have never seen a list of which Russian tanks used the electrical priming system and which ones used percussion primers.
In doing a little research, T-26 Model 1933 tanks (first model armed with the 45mm cannon) used percussion primed ammunition. T-26 Model 1938 tanks and beyond used electrical primers. Total production of the T-26 was a little over 10,000, and almost 2000 were produced as 1938 or later designs. From what I can tell, none of the BT series of tanks used electric primers. So, the demand for percussion primed ammunition greatly exceeded the need for electric when you also consider the antitank guns.
In doing a little research, T-26 Model 1933 tanks (first model armed with the 45mm cannon) used percussion primed ammunition. T-26 Model 1938 tanks and beyond used electrical primers. Total production of the T-26 was a little over 10,000, and almost 2000 were produced as 1938 or later designs. From what I can tell, none of the BT series of tanks used electric primers. So, the demand for percussion primed ammunition greatly exceeded the need for electric when you also consider the antitank guns.
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Thank you M8owner and Eggburt1969, this case was manufactured for the 1938 T26 tanks, since the T50 and T70 were made from 1941. I assume these two models were also using electric primers. I couldn't find any info though.
I wonder what the primer is made of, il looks like it's stainless steel, it's really white compare to the brass case.
I wonder what the primer is made of, il looks like it's stainless steel, it's really white compare to the brass case.