Unidentified USA Ordnance

["Explosion!"]

Can any great expert out there on this network identify this piece of ordnance for us? It appears to be from Naval Ammunition Depot Mare Island USA dated 1943?

 

[John D. Bartleson Jr.]

It appears to be a cartridge storage can. I'll get back to you. Any writing on opposite side? Expert - a drip under pressure John

 

[butterfly]

Cant give you a 100% ID on it

looks to me like a cartridge/charge container for 5'' Naval round. Semi-fixed round ??

I am sure someone on here, in a much better position than me will give you the full works on it.

regards Kev

here is a link to some 5'' rounds including the 5'' 38cal indicated on your container
http://www.bocn.co.uk/vbforum/threads/75546-USN-5-quot-54-Projectile/page2?highlight=5''+38cal

 

[AMMOTECHXT]

The container held a semi-fixed cartridge, that is a propelling charge contained within a metal cartridge case. The calibre as stencilled on the container looks to be 5 inch / 58. Semi-fixed as I understand it means that a shell can be placed into the cartridge case before both are loaded into the gun as one round. The cartridge case will contain a primer to ignite the propellant in the cartridge case. A similar type to this US container was still in use by the British army into the 1980s, although those contained bagged propelling charges for 155 mm howitzer ammunition and the method of closure was different.

 

[TimG]

It transpires the American 5" 38 cal was used by the Royal Navy on HMS Delhi (it was refitted and re-armed in the USA) 'Ameer' class escort carriers and 'Assistance' class repair ships. The last two being American constructed 'lend-lease' vessels.

TimG

 

[John D. Bartleson Jr.]

I said I would get back. The above posts are correct, It is a shipping containerfor a loaded 5" cartridge case. The projectile is inserted into the breech first and the cartridge case follows. John

 

[bdgreen]

Cartridge tanks.

 

[bdgreen]

Cartridge tank.

 

["Explosion!"]

Very many thanks