Unusual Bofors Round

[siegfreid]

I see that quite a few people seem to like Bofors rounds . Here's one I've got that's a bit unusual . I hope it's of interest . Siegfreid .

 

[Darkman]

Nice Mike, L70 - 57mm?

Cheers, Graeme

 

[siegfreid]

Graeme. I'm not really sure but the stamps on the proj. , which are very numerous , says 40mm + 2mm for some reason . Mike

 

[HAZORD]

That is a really interesting L/70 40mm Bofors round. The case being dated 56 is a surprise, as I didn't know the L/70 went back that far, and the projectile looks like it was patterned after the WWII German L/60.

 

[siegfreid]

Hazord . Yes , the case is strange as it doesn't have the semi rebated bit at the bottom like a normal Bofors & it's only 11" long . I don't know what a German L/60 is but I'm sure you are right ! Thanks , Mike.

 

[hasag]

I must be an experimental cartridge for my unknown just saw pods loose.
Not for the standard cartridge of 40L70
The pod shape is not for 40mmL/70 sheath is more like those of the 57mm Bofors.
I saw some pods of sorts but it is not really appropriate.
The projectile is normal, there are several ways that more projectiles unlike the L70 L60 is the copper drive band.
The Bofors 40mmL/70 was put into service in 1952.
Hopefully someone we identified and data.
regards

 

[siegfreid]

Hasag.
Thanks for that . The proj. is definitely 40mm .

 

[hasag]

This British shell case is marked 40/70 Mk I but has been shortened and necked down to a height of 278mm. There is speculation that this is an experimental modification but not confirmed as any known model. With the case is a Bofors HE projectile with original paint and no 251 fuze. It makes an interesting looking item
.

 

[flak18]

Grooved Bofors driving band ?? Perhaps one of the apprentices at Birtley was doing some homework. Some of the stuff they do there is amazing. They even make totally fictitious cartridge cases....once saw a necked, brass 135 mm case in their storeroom ????

 

[charley777]

These cases come in at least two lengths....will post those lengths and hopefully photo of the two sizes i have. Tomorrow. Some of the projectiles have the typical purple colour of post-war British experimentals.

 

[charley777]

Greetings........OK here are some photos...from top to bottom.....40x311SR.........40x237R.........40x278R.........40x365R. The first two bases are of the 237 and 278 mm cases. The last pair of bases are of normal 40x365R cases (i.e. 40/70 Bofors). The experimental cases are sometomes described as 42mm caliber. This is not correct because the caliber is actually 40mm. However, these cases were designed to cover part of the driving band, as shown. Note that the projectiles in the experimental cases are ordinary 40/70 projectiles.........those made for the experiments had an extra rear driving band. There are photos somewhere on BOCN. I think SG500 knows a lot about these...........

 

[siegfreid]

Thanks for that . It would explain why mine is stamped 40mm + 2mm .

 

[SG500]

Thanks for that . It would explain why mine is stamped 40mm + 2mm .

Mike where is it stamped "40mm + 2mm"?
I can't add much more to the post than what Charley put.
One of the ones I have is the first photo on the incorrectly titled thread (its not red queen)
http://www.bocn.co.uk/vbforum/threads/4288-42mm-Red-Queen-anti-aircraft?highlight=red+queen
Considering nobody knows much about these cases they are are found surprisingly frequently. I must have seen about 8 of the longer cased ones and 3 of the shorter ones over the last 10 years.
Dave.

 

[siegfreid]

Dave . It's actually stamped 40/70 HEXT + 2mm . Thank you . Mike.

 

[Bonnex]

Mike,

I note from the photograph that the shell is stamped with an S1 number. Bit of a long shot but if the last number is 1260 (eg S1/1387/E/1260) then the shell is part of the NATO standardisation trials for 40mm L70 HE and HET.

 

[siegfreid]

Norman . Bingo ! That's EXACTLY what is stamped beneath the + 2mm bit . Thanks a lot as it was beginning to bug me . Mike.

 

[Bonnex]

Oh dear, one for the safe then. They are pretty unusual marked up like that, my guess is that only a few would have been made.

 

[Tony Williams]

Might the "+2mm" bit have anything to do with the experimental 42mm Red King and Red Queen which were around at that time? They had a curious rubber driving band which was inside the case, I believe.

 

[SG500]

Might the "+2mm" bit have anything to do with the experimental 42mm Red King and Red Queen which were around at that time? They had a curious rubber driving band which was inside the case, I believe.

Tony the Red queen driving bands are steel and there is a rear rubber sealing thing on the rear of the projectile, very similar to the 20 pounder APCBC. If you need to see an example Steve McGregor has one that someone appears to have cut out of a case. If you look at the photo (taken from your web site) that we took at Bisley a couple of years ago the rubber sealing ring and 2 steel bands can be seen on the one on the right. I don't have a close up to hand but it gives you the idea.

Dave.