Identification of 25mm (?) AP Proj.

[TonyE]

Gentlemen. As you know, cannon ammunition is not my area (except for a few nice British experimentals) but I would like an identification on the sectioned proj. in the attached pictures.

It seems to be nominally 25mm. It has a very heavy tungsten penetrator with an aluminium positioning piece in the nose.

It has lost its driving bands but seems to have had two, one on the bourrelet and a wide one in the centre. I presume the groove near the base is for crimping and not for a driving band. Also, there may be a base piece missing as otherwise the penetrator is held in place only by friction and the crimp.

Russian?

Any help appreciated.

Regards
TonyE

 

[SG500]

Hi Tony it looks like a littlejohn projectile that has lost its ballistic cap, rear skirt and forward flange.
The mk 2 two pounder would have a ballistic cap. The flange would sit in the front groove and when it squeezes the flange would deform backwards into the wider groove. The rear skirt sits in the narrower rear groove.
Without measuring the ones I have I can't say if its a 37mm littlejohn or a 40mm one. It of course squeezes down to something like 25mm ish.
If you look at the attached drawing of the 2 pounder/40mm I've drawn a red line to show the bit you've got. The 37mm works in the same way.
It is definitely not the mk 1 two pounder, that doesn't have the ballistic cap and the forward flange squeezes forwards not backwards.
Dave.

 

[Weasel]

I think you have cracked it there Dave, i would not of worked that one out.
Best Weasel.

 

[TonyE]

Many thanks Dave. Bearing in mind where it came from that makes complete sense!

Cheers
TonyE