.50 ?

[stuff]

Hi All again having a sort out of some old draws came across this case.

When I chucked it in the draw I must have assumed it was a .50 Browning but looking more closely the case is shorter.

The case length is 96mm and the shoulder is approximately 1mm higher than a .50 Browning.

The case crimp is a little unusual, any information on the case or manufacture would be greatly appreciated.

Regards

Stuff.

 

[Hoeksel]

French 13.2 mm Hotchkiss (several lengths including 96 mm exist).

 

[stuff]

Thank you Hoeksel the neck of the case looks a little off, looks like someone has used pliers to ‘pull’ the projectile out of the case.

 

[Linkman]

I'd agree likely to be French 13.2 x 96 Hotchkiss short, based on following:

The headstamp layout conforms to the French National Characteristic (shown in Fig. 4 on page 40 of The Cartridge Guide by Ian V. Hogg 1982) with the assembly plant letters at 9 o'clock, case metal supplier letter at 3 o'clock, year of manufacture at 12 o'clock and quarter/month at 6 o'clock (numerals turned through 90 degrees. The Guide also suggests CN as Atelier Mecanique du Normande and (possibly) N as Etablishments Navarie a Evreaux (see pages 75 & 119).

In inter-war years, France were developing light tanks; example AMR 35, originally equipped with a Hotchkiss gun to fire a 13.2 x 99mm round.
https://tanks-encyclopedia.com/ww2/france/renault_amr-35.php has a comprehensive description and useful drawings of the ammunition and includes the extract...

"In 1935, a new cartridge was adopted, with French guns modified to fire it. This was a 13.2×96 mm, with the very small modifications centering on shortening the neck of the cartridge. Since the adoption of the shorter cartridge, the names of “13.2 Hotchkiss long” and “13.2 Hotchkiss short” have generally been used to differentiate them. When the AMR 35s armed with Hotchkiss 13.2 machine guns came out of their factories would all fire 13.2×96 mm Hotchkiss short."

From your photos, it looks like you have a copy of Hogg's book.

It's been interesting to search references for this round - hope this of use.