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Bofors round army or navy ID
- Thread starter Daffodil
- Start date
Hi,
I think it's a Naval round 40MM/T MK4 with Plug Firing Mk N3 Rep 259.
Could be a fired practice tracer shell with inert plug, repainted.
I can't read the year of manufacture 12 / ? 2 (maybe december 1952)
MOA is the maker, so could help for the country. I only know MO is an Australian maker.
I think it's a Naval round 40MM/T MK4 with Plug Firing Mk N3 Rep 259.
Could be a fired practice tracer shell with inert plug, repainted.
I can't read the year of manufacture 12 / ? 2 (maybe december 1952)
MOA is the maker, so could help for the country. I only know MO is an Australian maker.
Last edited:
Hi, Thanks for the info. I was wondering if it had been repainted, the date looks like its been painted on rather than stamped on, and looks like its not been done too well at that so can't make it out.
RN only used 40/60 Bofors in the post WW2 period, whilst the Army changed to 40/70 to cope with the increased threat from high speed aircraft.
In the 1960s the fuze used with the 40/70 HE round was banned for training use as it was found to be sensitive to rain drops. All 40/70 HE for training at drogue targets was fired using PRF (Plug representing fuze) which could be followed using the tracer, but which then exploded using the destructor element from the tracer-destructor when the tracer burns out. This is why the tracer unit on your cutaway extends into the shell body.
The Navy generated huge amounts of fuzed 40/60 HE as a result of stock turnover so much of this was turned over to the Army for use at training. The Army held conversion kits for their 40/70s with a replacement barrel and extractor set to allow a 40/70 to shoot 40/60 ammunition. The 40/60 HE was fuzed, but was only allowed to be used for engaging ground or floating targets.
In the 1960s the fuze used with the 40/70 HE round was banned for training use as it was found to be sensitive to rain drops. All 40/70 HE for training at drogue targets was fired using PRF (Plug representing fuze) which could be followed using the tracer, but which then exploded using the destructor element from the tracer-destructor when the tracer burns out. This is why the tracer unit on your cutaway extends into the shell body.
The Navy generated huge amounts of fuzed 40/60 HE as a result of stock turnover so much of this was turned over to the Army for use at training. The Army held conversion kits for their 40/70s with a replacement barrel and extractor set to allow a 40/70 to shoot 40/60 ammunition. The 40/60 HE was fuzed, but was only allowed to be used for engaging ground or floating targets.