Is this a Bofors 40mm round?

[Meerkat]

I am reliably informed that the item shown in the attached photos is the remnants of a 40mm Bofors round, probably some sort of drill round or dummy. The item measures 3 1/8" long and 1 1/2" wide (40mm), 45cm long in total ish, base 62mm wide or 2 3/8"

I have searched the forum and found references to 40mm Bofors 'woooden rounds', but apart from confirmation that the images show such a round, I am curious as to why wood was used for the body of these rounds? Was it to save brass for live rounds?

Your thoughts are appreciated.

Regards

Meerkat

 

[HAZORD]

The rim of the remnants of your drill round appears to be 40mm L/60 bofors. Designers use wood, as it is usually plentiful, easy to turn, lightweight, and won't damage metal gun parts. Combined with a steel core, the lighter wood approximates the weigh of a service round. Its much cheaper and less strategic than using brass or bronze, which was in short supply and needed for other things. It is also visually distinguishable from a brass cased service round, so they aren't confused during drills and actual firing.

 

[Tony Williams]

Wood was used for drill rounds in various calibres. The biggest I've seen was for the 120mm MOBAT recoilless anti-tank gun - that was quite a tree-trunk!

 

[Jagd301]

40mm Bofors Drill and High Explosive Rounds.

Hi there, Heres two Bofors rounds i have! One is the drill round only with brass case and black steel projectile and no wood parts. As far as i can remember this was brought back from Malaya by an instructor who was using it as a doorstop before he gave it to me. The other round is a 1943 dated complete unfired (deactivated) High Explosive Bofors round. The H.E i got from local shop for a tenner, but noticed at J.C Militaria he was selling one for 120!!!!! They do make great display rounds! Regards, Tim.