Swiss 30 X 173 brass shell cases

[Orita]

Swiss 30 X 173 early brass shell cases

- I have a few Swiss made 30X173 rimless brass shell cases manufactured in early 1950s. Only one of these shell cases has the original [fired] electric primer screw, the rest of them have no primers. The head diameter of these Swiss 30X173 brass shell cases is of 44mm [1.732-inch] and the electric primer screw has a diameter of 14mm [0.551-inch]. The case neck is very short, measuring only about 15mm [0.590-inch]. There are visible markings on the shell case heads from the ejector during the extraction process and also deep and long scratches on the side of the shell cases. ---> "dano1917" will post below my both pictures showing 2 of my Swiss 30X173 brass shell cases. => TOP PHOTO: Only the 30X173 shell case from left has the electric primer screw [which is fired]. The impressed headstamp markings are [going clockwise from the 2 o'clock position]: "Oe" (the monogram for "Oerlikon"), "A" (probably the code for the supplier of the raw brass material ?), "51" and "52" (the year of shell case manufacture - 1951 and 1952) and "D4" and "D5" (probably a lot number ?). Note that the electric primer screw has 3 holes for a special wrench. => BOTTOM PHOTO: Both my Swiss made 30X173 rimless brass shell cases can be seen very well with a dummy .50" Browning [12.7X99] round at right for scale. => QUESTION: Since my Swiss made 30X173 rimless shell cases are made of brass [not steel] very early in 1950s, does anyone know exactly for which type of 30mm gun [or weapon system] were manufactured ???? If I was wrong explaining the headstamp markings, please correct me. I hope Tony Williams can offer some good answer for this topic. Thanks in advance, Orita 07/15/09

 

[dano1917]

Pics posted per Orita request 7/15/09

Here are your pictures Liviu. At your service...Dano

 

[SG500]

Hi Orita, nice early cases you have there.
There's some more information on the attached link.
Hope it helps.
Dave.

http://www.bocn.co.uk/vbforum/30x172-t14197.html

 

[Orita]

- @ SG500: I have to admit that I've expected more info to my question but my topic remains open. ---> @ dano1917: Thank you very much for posting my picture(s). Orita 07/16/09

 

[HAZORD]

If you go to:

http://www.bocn.co.uk/vbforum/30x172-t14197.html

and read what Pzgr40 wrote, there is about 2 pages of info about the history of the gun.

What else are you looking for?

 

[Orita]

- @ HAZORD: Yes, I read what that topic says. Nothing is mentioned there about "30X173 brass cases" like I have. Do I have to understand that my early "30X173 brass cases" were for the 30mm 304RK aircraft revolver cannons ???? What about the meaning of the headsamp markings ["D4", "D5" and "A"] for my "30X173 brass cases" ???? If the 30mm 304RK aircraft revolver gun fired my "30X173 brass cases", I would like to know more about this type of 30mm gun. Since Tony Williams has posted nothing to this topic, I assume he has no answer to my initial question. => NOTE: My 30X173 brass shell cases [or perheps I should name them 30X172] have the rim [head] diameter and the body diameter of 44mm [1.732-inch]. I mentioned this not to be confused with 30X170 shell cases. Orita 07/22/09 P.S. Nobody else has "30X173 brass cases" like I do ?????

 

[richardwb1]

These are two different 30mm by 173mm (or so) cartridge cases that are brass and in the future i may be able to access another. These were found in Fort Irwin, CA, USA and have turned up periodically through the years I am told.