What the Heck is this ammo?

[bamawrx]

Can anyone identify this round? It is marked "bridge" on the bottom and some think it was used to shoot at bridges. The brass is about 6.5" long and the rim is about 2" across.

 

[Kamicosmos]

I dunno what it is, but the case looks exactly like a 30mm cartridge my grandfather brought home after WWII in Germany...

 

[DigMe]

Maybe it's one of Hellboy's wadcutters.

brad cook

 

[Stickjockey]

What's the projectile made of?

 

[dasmi]

It almost looks like wood.

 

[bamawrx]

It is VERY heavy and most likely hardened metal of some sort. I know it looks like wood but it is some kind of a coating on the projectile.

I thought a WWII vet on THR may have used one of these bad boys overseas, but it may be a prototype and never used.

 

[MilsurpShooter]

Could it be that thing for Shotguns? Think people load that to reduce the capacity of the magainze or long term storage? Not sure what exactly they're used for but glanced over an ad for one once

 

[mfree]

With a heavy projectile like that it'll punch holes in thick mild steel and concrete without breathing hard.

20mm penetrator? Strafe a bridge with those enough times and it'll come down...

 

[bamawrx]

20 mm is only 3/4" and this thing is almost 2"! It almost has to be for a land or naval based gun that would fire it.

 

[dasmi]

I could be way off base here, but that seems like an awful lot of projectile for that much powder.

 

[dasmi]

Can we get a picture of the back side of the catridge?

 

[bamawrx]

I have one but it is too blurred. The back of the shell says "USA" "1-19" "U.M.C.C" "Bridge" and a double diamond stamp.

 

[Jim K]

The markings might mean U.S. Cartridge Corp., Bridgeport factory. Beyond that, I have no idea what it is.

Jim

 

[Sam]

Try and get us some dimensions.
Looks like some of the industrial rounds that have been loaded over the years.

I know they stillload 8Ga for shooting klinkers off kilns.
Probably something like that.

Sam

 

[Talon]

If I had to guess, I'd say it's a 55mm mortar round. There were some light tanks that fired 55mm rounds as well. From the way the round is constructed so, I'd say it was designed as some kind of bunker buster, or as suggested by the markings, a bridge destroyer. :shrug:

 

[woerm]

hotchkiss 1.65 or the 57mm version of same

used by Fr and GB (later the UK) on some small craft and as quick firing secondary weapons on larger stuff.

late 1800's

it may be canister:

see
http://www.spanamwar.com/hotchkis165.htm

the canister is item two about half way down the page.

note there were several versions on this beast made by everyone.

size from 1.65inch up to iirc 4.7inch

hope that helps

search on hotchkiss breechloader or hotchkiss 1.65

r

 

[SMLE]

I'm thinking it's 37mm cannister.

 

[Stickjockey]

Sure looks like that cannister round to me.

I could be way off base here, but that seems like an awful lot of projectile for that much powder.

If it is cannister, it's not quite as much projectile as it looks. It would basically be a cylindrical, disposable casing filled with 1" or so steel or lead balls.

 

[bamawrx]

well Ill be damned. Woerm, I think you've solved the problem. I can buy this little item "live" for $80. Anyone think thats a good deal?

 

[bamawrx]

Woerm, how in the heck did you figure this out?

 

[Preacherman]

One problem - if it contains explosive, this round may be classified by the BATFE as a Destructive Device, requiring a substantial tax payment and registration (per round) to own it. You might want to check very carefully about this before you buy it...

 

[HighVelocity]

That's really neat. I learned something new today.

 

[woerm]

Bamawrx

When I saw the thing it rang a bell.

I saw the Hotchkiss 1.65 at a gunshow in Utah back in 02.

I would love one of those 'rifles', but I haven't been able to find one for sale and even then I don't have 10k USD laying around loose.

fyi there are blackpowder and smokeless versions the bp version is not a destructive device and the whole lot is not destructive device as canister doesnt' have a bursting charge (the shrapnel round does however), the smokeless version being fixed ammo would fall under the category of destructive device but as long as you are firing solid shot I don't think it matters for C&R artillery. (I am NOT a lawyer)

80 bucs, not bad for a piece of history.

the 1.65 is one of the reasons that the Rough Riders made it up Kettle hill and San Juan hill.

 

[jhisaac1]

Anyone think thats a good deal?

I think that depends on whether or not you can find dies for it.

Jason

 

[Jim K]

Take a look at this site and I think you will find the answers you want:

http://www.spanamwar.com/hotchkis165.htm

I goofed on a previous reply. I saw U.M.C.C. and said "U.S. Cartridge Corp." I meant Union Metallic Cartridge Corp., which had its main factory at Bridgeport.

Jim