I finally finished marking my large bore WW2 American AP shot/shell/projectiles. When originally produced it was all required to have prominent markings for ease of identification. That makes the markings pretty much essential for a display. These all have original paint so I used a water-based ink (Speedball brand works well) to avoid damaging it with a mis-roll. It definitely took longer to research the proper markings than to carve the roll stamps (using a CNC milling machine).
Based on Ordnance Department guidelines, the lettering height, spacing, font, format, punctuation, content and location of the markings could vary depending on the loading plant and the time period. There were also depots that refurbished and remarked ammunition. Testing and training ammunition could be marked differently (“Inert Loaded”) than service ammunition. Some important changes made over time include standardizing “With Tracer” as “-T”, and the post-war replacement of the M62 fuze with the M91 tracer fuze in HEAT shells. All things to consider when marking a particular item as in WW2. I believe my markings are all correct but admit that the T45 is pure conjecture.
Markings that were crooked, sloppy, with too much ink or not enough ink were quite common during wartime production so shooting for uniform perfection is not realistic.
If you have any WW2 US shot/shell/projectiles with original markings it would be great to see some of the similarities and variations. Please include date/manufacturer code, as this could indicate the time frame/loading plant and help someone to correctly mark theirs.
Fuzed American AP shells and projectiles (olive drab) with original WW2 ink markings are nearly impossible to find today. Unfuzed projectiles (black) and shot with markings are not nearly as rare. I suppose because they were much easier and safer to bring home by ordnance workers and servicemen.
Before and after photos;
Based on Ordnance Department guidelines, the lettering height, spacing, font, format, punctuation, content and location of the markings could vary depending on the loading plant and the time period. There were also depots that refurbished and remarked ammunition. Testing and training ammunition could be marked differently (“Inert Loaded”) than service ammunition. Some important changes made over time include standardizing “With Tracer” as “-T”, and the post-war replacement of the M62 fuze with the M91 tracer fuze in HEAT shells. All things to consider when marking a particular item as in WW2. I believe my markings are all correct but admit that the T45 is pure conjecture.
Markings that were crooked, sloppy, with too much ink or not enough ink were quite common during wartime production so shooting for uniform perfection is not realistic.
If you have any WW2 US shot/shell/projectiles with original markings it would be great to see some of the similarities and variations. Please include date/manufacturer code, as this could indicate the time frame/loading plant and help someone to correctly mark theirs.
Fuzed American AP shells and projectiles (olive drab) with original WW2 ink markings are nearly impossible to find today. Unfuzed projectiles (black) and shot with markings are not nearly as rare. I suppose because they were much easier and safer to bring home by ordnance workers and servicemen.
Before and after photos;
Attachments
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