Unmarked 30mm RARDEN APDS

[Falcon]

I got a 30mm RARDEN APDS dummy at the car boot this morning as well. Is there any reason that the case is not headstamped? The main projectile body is white plastic, the driving band and front sabot are black plastic. The only markings are on the primer. They read "284 L17A1 CY18/78". The projectile is crimped in the case, this rounds looks live apart from that the primer unscrews and reveals the case to be empty, and the primer cap itself is actually a turned brass replica. I know the penetrator is there as the proj is slightly magnetic. The chap I got it from told me it was an experimental round. Does this story match with the lack of headstamp?

 

[Chris 42 RQ]

Experimental

It sounds very much like you have an "Experimental" round there as anything experimental usually has no headstamp and quite often only bear small markings in an ink type pen, these marking are most often lost by people "cleaning" up the round or they fade if left in sunlight for long periods.

I and the others would love to see a picture of it please.

Interesting that it has a replica type primer-Reps sample ?

 

[waffenamt]

Hi Falcon,
PM Charlie to see if he can add to this thread as he is our resident `Rarden` fan i think?

best

waff

 

[Falcon]

Here are the photos:

Whole round:

Case head (showing lack of headstamp):

 

[Charlie]

Sorry Falcon, just a normal APDS round. Suppose it could be a late experimental round, i.e. the same as adopted? Check that the primer is oiled..... Well found though sir.

 

[Falcon]

Sorry Falcon, just a normal APDS round. Suppose it could be a late experimental round, i.e. the same as adopted? Check that the primer is oiled..... Well found though sir.

The primer unscrews, you can see from both the outside and inside that the cap is just a turned piece of brass, and obviously the intermediate charge is not there.

I thought that it could quite possibly not be an actual experimental, still, its a nice find.