Darkman
Well-Known Member
My friend Ron Hardy here in Ballarat has kindly supplied the following information and photos of Australian 2 Pounders from his collection for those that are interested.
I will start with Vickers No.1, Mk II AA headstamps (I will post other info on projectiles/rounds and the No.2 AT).
In Australia the only maker of these is "MF" (Munitions Footscray, Melbourne) with dates noted (so far) from 1931 - 1944.
There are 5 different headstamps known:
1. 2 PR No. 1 Mk II MF A/l\N 1943 Lot 1222
AN = Australian Navy, /l\ = broad arrow
Noted with no. 27 and No. 13 II electric primers. It was thought that the electric primers were used in Depth Charge Throwers (DCT) only, but they appear in normal cases also with no mention of DCT.
2. 2 PR II. VIII & SUB-CAL 1. II LA AN 1937 MF 7 I
LA = Low Angle
3. 2 PR SUB-CAL HA MKS II & III GUNS I MF 1931
HA = High Angle
Reworked WW1 VSM case with A/l\N MF etc. overstamps. Half knurled rim with case cut down to 108mm.
4. 2 PR 1. II . VIII & SUB-CAL MKS I & II LA GUNS & 9.5" DCT I A/l\N 1933 MF 6
Headstamp is a bit feint.
5. 9.5 IN DCT AN 1941 MF 380
Converted 1940 case for 9.5" DCT, fitted with No. 13 electric primer.
Ron has a question: "How is this DCT blank used? Is there a breech below the thrower? I guess pressure launches the depth charge? Any information or photos greatly appreciated."
Cheers,
Graeme
I will start with Vickers No.1, Mk II AA headstamps (I will post other info on projectiles/rounds and the No.2 AT).
In Australia the only maker of these is "MF" (Munitions Footscray, Melbourne) with dates noted (so far) from 1931 - 1944.
There are 5 different headstamps known:
1. 2 PR No. 1 Mk II MF A/l\N 1943 Lot 1222
AN = Australian Navy, /l\ = broad arrow
Noted with no. 27 and No. 13 II electric primers. It was thought that the electric primers were used in Depth Charge Throwers (DCT) only, but they appear in normal cases also with no mention of DCT.
2. 2 PR II. VIII & SUB-CAL 1. II LA AN 1937 MF 7 I
LA = Low Angle
3. 2 PR SUB-CAL HA MKS II & III GUNS I MF 1931
HA = High Angle
Reworked WW1 VSM case with A/l\N MF etc. overstamps. Half knurled rim with case cut down to 108mm.
4. 2 PR 1. II . VIII & SUB-CAL MKS I & II LA GUNS & 9.5" DCT I A/l\N 1933 MF 6
Headstamp is a bit feint.
5. 9.5 IN DCT AN 1941 MF 380
Converted 1940 case for 9.5" DCT, fitted with No. 13 electric primer.
Ron has a question: "How is this DCT blank used? Is there a breech below the thrower? I guess pressure launches the depth charge? Any information or photos greatly appreciated."
Cheers,
Graeme
