Here are a couple of loadings of WWII U.S. 37mm rounds that most would think incorrect, M2 canister and M63 HE projectiles loaded in MKIIIA2 cases. These projectiles were normally loaded in M16 cartridge cases for the M3 anti-tank and M6 tank guns and the MKIIIA2 cases were used in aircraft auto-guns with different warheads.
These two were not found like this but were assembled from parts I had around the shop. But they are correct as assembled. They were issued for the T32 37mm gun, a light weight stripped down version of the M3 AT gun developed in 1944 for jungle use. It was mounted on a slightly modified .50 cal M3 tripod and could be quickly broken down into component groups mostly weighing 55 pounds or less. The exception was the recoil cylinder and sight base which weighed in at 69.5 pounds.
Many years ago, I acquired a wooden crate marked for 10 rounds of ammunition for the T32 gun but was obviously too small to hold 10 rounds of ammo loaded in M16 cases, assuming the T32 used the same ammo as the AT gun. The mystery was solved when a friend sent a xerox copy of the original tech manual for the T32 and the proper loads were shown. I'm unaware of any other U.S. ammunition manuals that show these loadings but would love to hear if anyone knows of another source.
While developed for jungle use, I've never been able to verify they were used in the Pacific Theater. However, they did see use in Italy where they were often transported via mule pack in the mountainous terrain, as can be seen in the attached photos. The museum gun pictured was previously on display at the Rock Island Arsenal Museum and is one of perhaps 3 or 4 guns still known to exist of the small number built.
These two were not found like this but were assembled from parts I had around the shop. But they are correct as assembled. They were issued for the T32 37mm gun, a light weight stripped down version of the M3 AT gun developed in 1944 for jungle use. It was mounted on a slightly modified .50 cal M3 tripod and could be quickly broken down into component groups mostly weighing 55 pounds or less. The exception was the recoil cylinder and sight base which weighed in at 69.5 pounds.
Many years ago, I acquired a wooden crate marked for 10 rounds of ammunition for the T32 gun but was obviously too small to hold 10 rounds of ammo loaded in M16 cases, assuming the T32 used the same ammo as the AT gun. The mystery was solved when a friend sent a xerox copy of the original tech manual for the T32 and the proper loads were shown. I'm unaware of any other U.S. ammunition manuals that show these loadings but would love to hear if anyone knows of another source.
While developed for jungle use, I've never been able to verify they were used in the Pacific Theater. However, they did see use in Italy where they were often transported via mule pack in the mountainous terrain, as can be seen in the attached photos. The museum gun pictured was previously on display at the Rock Island Arsenal Museum and is one of perhaps 3 or 4 guns still known to exist of the small number built.
