British 9mm Para Aluminum Case

[Lewis]

I have posted these photos on another website looking for information, but decided to try here also. I am working on an article for the IAA Journal on British Aluminum (or Aluminium) case 9x19mm ammunition. The earliest reference I can find to these cartridges is Small Arms Programme Review No. 12 held at FortHalstead in July 1945 where it was mentioned that both Woolwich and Radway Green had been testing light alloy cases. I also have reports from a number of test firings at ROF Swynnererton from 1946 through 1049. Finally I have some records which include some details on orders for 10,000 light alloy cases that went to Radway Green and Kynoch in 1951. The testing (and in fact production) of these cartridges continued through at least part of 1956 when it appears the 9x19mm light alloy case effort was terminated. Pictured are the aluminum cases and cartridges in my collection. I also know of orange case Radway Green headstamped loads dated 1952 and 1955.

I would appreciate any information on specimens that are known, even if they duplicate items shown or described in theis post. I would also appreciate any information on this project. I have the material mentioned above but it is far from complete. I have essentially no records or information on the Kynoch effort until the mention of the 1951 contract for 10,000 cases. The specimens show that there was a Kynoch effort in 9x19mm going on for some time. Note that the two Kynoch commercial headstamps are different. The one on the right has periods in the caliber while the other does not. The headstamp style without periods was introduced by Kynoch by 1949, based on a box date for brass case commercial 9x19mm, while the style with periods goes back to before WWII. This indicates that the Kynoch effort began sometime before 1949.<

Any help appreciated.

Cheers

Lew

 

[Jimiles]

Lew,
I have a cartridge similar to your 10th case - the obvious difference being that yours has a white metal primer while mine is brass.
Jim

 

[Lewis]

Jim, Lovely. I know of three or four of these cases with the cupro-nickel primers but all are fired. Yours came I believe from Cold Meece. There were problems with RG cases suffering from holed primers and primer blowouts so they tested both brass and cupro-nickel primers. Based on this test and the color of your round (which is essentially the same color as the RG 52 and RG 55 headstamped cases, I think it is from the 1948 or 1949 production where RG apparently produced a number of hundred cases which were apparently used in small lot tests for the next three years or so, until the large quantities from the 1951 order began becoming available. This is one of the very few loaded rounds I know of. The first deliveries from the 1951 order apparently were delivered in 1952 and the known RG 52 9MM 2Z headstamp would indicate that this order had standard RG style headstamps. However, your cartridge may be an early round from the 1951 order. Sure wish more details were available. Wish your cartridge could talk!

Thanks Again!!!

Cheers,

Lew