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Mg 151/20 api
- Thread starter ken68
- Start date
Hey Ken.
In my opinion it is very hard to determine wether this is either API, APHE op AP. This is due to lack of visible markings. The base plug would indicate either AP or API, yet who can tell this wasn't at some point replaced (is it indeed the original match?).
As all three types are basiclly the same AP body, the differences are made by the loading (or lack thereoff). The coloured markings that were applied to the body basically are the only thing that can tell you it's original loading.
An PH ampule and plug made for API, HE content and basefuze made for APHE, no loading or a blind fillerpiece and plug made for plain AP.
So without any trace of any markings ... your guess is as good as mine!
Regards.
In my opinion it is very hard to determine wether this is either API, APHE op AP. This is due to lack of visible markings. The base plug would indicate either AP or API, yet who can tell this wasn't at some point replaced (is it indeed the original match?).
As all three types are basiclly the same AP body, the differences are made by the loading (or lack thereoff). The coloured markings that were applied to the body basically are the only thing that can tell you it's original loading.
An PH ampule and plug made for API, HE content and basefuze made for APHE, no loading or a blind fillerpiece and plug made for plain AP.
So without any trace of any markings ... your guess is as good as mine!
Regards.
Hoi Kees,
API :
White stamp Ph and blue band below tip, base plug
(plugs came in different types: purpose designed plugs, or, most common, plugs made from rejected(?) base fuzes).
As for White bands ...dunno for sure ,...I've always taken this to be faded blue: so ..in all probability API as well.
There are variations in the blue bands, I've seen: double bands, Blue tips, wider and narrower bands, white(ish) and blue bands combined.
These are, however, observations I've made wit regards to API, I've NEVER observed any such deviations on APHE.
There also exsisted an API that was Elektron filled, it had an internal fuze and a base plug of a special design (not protruding into the filler cavity as much as the normal plugs). It was marked with a: blue band and EL stamped in white
(... these rounds however are exceedingly rare.. In twenty years of collecting all I ever found was one .... photo..!!! of an actual round).
APHE :
Yellow band below tip, base fuze.
AP :
Plain black body, base plug.
(It is known however, that some APHE were, for unknown reasons, left unmarked (perhaps just by mistake). AP proper, has either no filling or an inert (bakelite/ceramic) filler insert and a plug. APHE is base fused).
Theoretically, there may be bands indicating:
tracer (band in colour of tracer right above drivingband),
Self destruction capability (green band),
Yet again, I've NEVER found any of these on any AP rounds in 20x82, so I hold them, and the type diferences they represent, to be..well.. theoretical..
Remains of a red sealing agent on the lower part of the drivingband (where it would touch the casing) denote rounds that were perpared for use in tropical climates. Sometimes white stamps reading: "Trop" can be found on APHE.
groet en tot Zondag.. hoop ik!
Menno
API :
White stamp Ph and blue band below tip, base plug
(plugs came in different types: purpose designed plugs, or, most common, plugs made from rejected(?) base fuzes).
As for White bands ...dunno for sure ,...I've always taken this to be faded blue: so ..in all probability API as well.
There are variations in the blue bands, I've seen: double bands, Blue tips, wider and narrower bands, white(ish) and blue bands combined.
These are, however, observations I've made wit regards to API, I've NEVER observed any such deviations on APHE.
There also exsisted an API that was Elektron filled, it had an internal fuze and a base plug of a special design (not protruding into the filler cavity as much as the normal plugs). It was marked with a: blue band and EL stamped in white
(... these rounds however are exceedingly rare.. In twenty years of collecting all I ever found was one .... photo..!!! of an actual round).
APHE :
Yellow band below tip, base fuze.
AP :
Plain black body, base plug.
(It is known however, that some APHE were, for unknown reasons, left unmarked (perhaps just by mistake). AP proper, has either no filling or an inert (bakelite/ceramic) filler insert and a plug. APHE is base fused).
Theoretically, there may be bands indicating:
tracer (band in colour of tracer right above drivingband),
Self destruction capability (green band),
Yet again, I've NEVER found any of these on any AP rounds in 20x82, so I hold them, and the type diferences they represent, to be..well.. theoretical..
Remains of a red sealing agent on the lower part of the drivingband (where it would touch the casing) denote rounds that were perpared for use in tropical climates. Sometimes white stamps reading: "Trop" can be found on APHE.
groet en tot Zondag.. hoop ik!
Menno
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First I have to correct myself the plug is manufactured from BdZ 1513.
There are also regular plain plugs.
We get these rounds here quite often.
Bob
Attachments
Well, it took less than a week to find myself standing corrected by myself. At last weekends collectors meeting of the NVBMB (Dutch ECRA branch), I found a 151/20 (Or 20x72 FFMG for that matter) AP-T (red tracer). The projectile has all identifying features (length, depth of filler cavity, short "Geschoss Zapfen") as such, but was stuck on a 20x138/B FlaK casing. As this projectile is dated "43" and such short projectiles were only tested by the Germans for AT rifle/ FlaK purposes on 138/B casings during the interbellum and early war years, I feel safe to say it must be Bordwaffe.
Regards!
Regards!
