75mm projectile ID - drill

[Burney Davis]

I have had this item for many years (I might have even posted a thread in the distant past but can't find it!).

The caliber is 75mm and height 17.5cm. The top is steel then presumably bronze, steel again with four equally spaced screws and a single driving band. It is dated 5/44 and a ST mark at the very base. The top chamber is smooth and opens up halfway down. As far as I can make out the top bore size is 1.8 cm. and 2.6 cm at the base The general construction and markings indicate British.

It was obviously attached to a shell case at some point and with the smooth bore I'm presuming it might have been some some type of test round rather than drill or sub-caliber.

I can only think of one 75mm equipment in use in WW2 and that was the 75mm gun bought from the United States in 1940. It would seem odd for something like this to be made as late as I944.

Does anyone have any ideas what this could be for? TIA

 

[MikeC]

Possibly for an AFV tank gun? The M2 and M3 were 75mm - equipped the Grant, Lee and Sherman - all used by British and British Commonwealth forces.

 

[AKON_]

Here's an idea of what it could be: it's possible that the shell passed through the barrel... and the entire assembly was the corresponding cartridge with the barrel insert...
Akon

 

[Burney Davis]

Possibly for an AFV tank gun? The M2 and M3 were 75mm - equipped the Grant, Lee and Sherman - all used by British and British Commonwealth forces.

That's a realaly good call, many thanks.
I had completely forgotten that we used those and rarely a case turns up marked with the Broad Arrow and CF stamped on the base. The cannelure matches perfectly, and although the driving band is very slightly different that could be an acceptable variation for something made in the UK for drill (type) purposes.

 

[ThomasP]

I remember reading about a 75mm practice round that was weighted for correct balance for handling re the service round (HE Mk I ?), and was the same length. It used a brass case with a steel base and an inert projectile of some sort. The steel base was machined to accept a blank shotgun type cartridge (10 gauge?) for sound upon firing. The entire round - including the inert projectile - had a hole through for the blank's explosive gases to escape.

Unfortunately, I have never seen an image of one - either photo or drawing - so I cannot say if this is a projectile for the round I read about.

 

[Burney Davis]

I remember reading about a 75mm practice round that was weighted for correct balance for handling re the service round (HE Mk I ?), and was the same length. It used a brass case with a steel base and an inert projectile of some sort. The steel base was machined to accept a blank shotgun type cartridge (10 gauge?) for sound upon firing. The entire round - including the inert projectile - had a hole through for the blank's explosive gases to escape.

Unfortunately, I have never seen an image of one - either photo or drawing - so I cannot say if this is a projectile for the round I read about.

I think that adds more positive evidence of what it is Thomas, Many thanks. Just need to find the case now!