Italian Explosive Ordnance - 120mm Projectiles

Italian Explosive Ordnance

  

120/21mm HE

Guns used in: 120/21mm Gun
Fuzing: Nose Percussion Fuze M17

Overall length (w/ fuze): 355 mm
Overall length (w/o fuze): 340 mm
Diameter at base: 123.4 mm
Distance base to band: 20 mm
Width of band: 17.1 mm
Diameter at bourrelet: 119.3 mm

Type of filling: MST
Weight of filling: 2.1 kilograms
Weight of loaded projectile: 16.4 kilograms





120/21mm HE (Cast Steel)

Guns used in: 120/21mm Gun
Fuzing: Nose Percussion Fuze M17

Overall length (w/ fuze): 377 mm
Overall length (w/o fuze): 362 mm
Diameter at base: 119 mm
Distance base to band: 22 mm
Width of band: 15 mm
Diameter at bourrelet: 119.5 mm

Type of filling: MST
Weight of filling: 1.29 kilograms
Weight of loaded projectile: 17.8 kilograms

Remarks: This projectile is cast steel.

  

120/25mm HE (Short)

Guns used in: 120/25mm Gun
Fuzing: Nose Percussion Fuze M17

Overall length (w/ fuze): 432 mm
Overall length (w/o fuze): 417 mm
Diameter at base: Unknown
Distance base to band: 65 mm
Width of band: 15 mm
Diameter at bourrelet: 119.4 mm

Type of filling: Tolite
Weight of filling: 2.55 kilograms
Weight of loaded projectile: 18.7 kilograms





120/25mm HE (Long)

Guns used in: 120/25mm Gun
Fuzing: Nose Percussion Fuze M17

Overall length (w/ fuze): 503 mm
Overall length (w/o fuze): 488 mm

Diameter at base: 122 mm
Distance base to band: 25 mm
Width of band: 10 mm
Diameter at bourrelet: 119.1 mm

Type of filling: Tolite
Weight of filling: 4.275 kilograms
Weight of loaded projectile: 20.35 kilograms






120/25mm HE (Cast Steel)

Guns used in: 120/25mm Gun
Fuzing: Nose Percussion Fuze M17

Overall length (w/ fuze): 421 mm
Overall length (w/o fuze): 406 mm

Diameter at base: Unknown
Distance base to band: 65 mm
Width of band: 15 mm
Diameter at bourrelet: 119.4 mm

Type of filling: Pertite
Weight of filling: 2.08 kilograms
Weight of loaded projectile: 19.2 kilograms

Remarks: This projectile is cast steel.






120/40mm HE (Cast Steel)

Guns used in: 120/40mm, 120/50mm, 120/25mm Guns
Fuzing: Nose Percussion Fuze M17 or (Guerritore) M.m.e.g.c.

Overall length (w/ fuze): 440 mm
Overall length (w/o fuze): 425 mm
Diameter at base: 118 mm
Distance base to band: 25 mm
Width of band: 20 mm
Diameter at bourrelet: 119.5 mm

Type of filling: MST
Weight of filling: 1.88 kilograms
Weight of loaded projectile: 24.9 kilograms

Remarks: This projectile is cast steel.

120/40mm HE (Base Fuzed)

Guns used in: 120/25mm, 120/40mm, 120/50mm Guns
Fuzing: Base Fuze M14

Overall length: 463 mm
Diameter at base: 119 mm
Distance base to band: 30.5 mm
Width of band: 38.1 mm
Diameter at bourrelet: 119.5 mm
Type of filling: TNT

Weight of filling: 1.82 kilograms
Weight of loaded projectile: 23.6 kilograms

120/45mm HE

Guns used in: 120/45mm Gun
Fuzing: Unknown

Overall length (w/ fuze): 493 mm
Overall length (w/o fuze): 440 mm
Diameter at base: 112 mm
Distance base to band: 43 mm
Width of band: 40 mm
Diameter at bourrelet: Unknown

Type of filling: TNT
Weight of filling: 2.39 kilograms
 Weight of loaded projectile: Unknown

Next Time: Italian 149mm Projectiles

Italian Explosive Ordnance - 100mm and 105mm Projectiles

Italian Explosive Ordnance

  

100mm HE

Guns used in: 100/17mm Light Field Gun
Fuzing: Nose Percussion Fuze M10 or Guerritore I.M35, I.M38, or I.M40

Overall length (w/ fuze): 386 mm
Overall length (w/o fuze): 372 mm
Diameter at base: 99 mm
Distance base to band: 15 mm
Width of band: 13 mm
Diameter at bourrelet: 99.7 mm

Type of filling: TNT
Weight of filling: 1.285 kilograms
Weight of loaded projectile: 12.7 kilograms
Booster used: No.3 M38






100/17mm HE M32

Guns used in: 100/17mm Light Field Gun
Fuzing: Nose Percussion Fuze M10

Overall length (w/ fuze): 454 mm
Overall length (w/o fuze): 440 mm
Diameter at base: 86 mm
Distance base to band: 55 mm
Width of band: 16 mm
Diameter at bourrelet: 99.7 mm

Type of filling: TNT
Weight of filling: 2.218 kilograms
Weight of loaded projectile: 13.49 kilograms
Booster used: No.2 M38

  

100mm ADE HE

Guns used in: 100/17mm Light Field Gun
Fuzing: Nose Fuze A.D.E. M12

Overall length (w/ fuze): 399 mm
Overall length (w/o fuze): 341 mm
Diameter at base: 99 mm
Distance base to band: 40 mm
Width of band: 13 mm
Diameter at bourrelet: 99.7 mm

Type of filling: TNT, MBT, MAT, or Pertite
Weight of filling: 1.312 kilograms
Weight of loaded projectile: 12.93 kilograms
Booster used: No.3 M38

Remarks: This projectile is fuzed for aerial burst or impact.




100/17mm ADE HE M32 and M36

Guns used in: 100/17mm Light Field Gun
Fuzing:
-M32: Nose Fuze ADE M32
-M36: Nose Fuze ADE M36

Overall length (w/o fuze): 379.7 mm
Overall length (w/ fuze):
-M32: 474.7 mm
-M36: 479.9 mm

Diameter at base: Unknown
Distance base to band: 55 mm
Width of band: 16 mm
Diameter at bourrelet: 99.7 mm

Type of filling: TNT
Weight of filling: 1.57 kilograms
Weight of loaded projectile: 13.375 kilograms
Booster used: No.3 M38





100mm EP (Hollow Charge)

Guns used in: 100/17mm Light Field Gun
Fuzing: Base Fuze E.P. M36

Overall length (w/o fuze): 377 mm
Diameter at base: Unknown
Distance base to band: Unknown
Width of band: Unknown
Diameter at bourrelet: 99.7 mm

Type of filling: RDX/TNT
Weight of filling: Unknown
Weight of loaded projectile: 12.5 kilograms





100mm EPS (Hollow Charge)

Guns used in: 100/17mm Light Field Gun
Fuzing: I.E.P.M.

Overall length: Unknown
Diameter at base: Unknown
Distance base to band: Unknown
Width of band: Unknown
Diameter at bourrelet: 99.7 mm

Type of filling: Unknown
Weight of filling: Unknown
Weight of loaded projectile: 12.5 kilograms

105/28mm HE (Practice and Incendiary)

105mm HE

Guns used in: 105/28mm Gun
Fuzing: Nose Percussion Fuze M10

Overall length (w/ fuze): 418.2 mm
Overall length (w/o fuze): 404.2 mm
Diameter at base: 104 mm
Distance base to band: 31.5 mm
Width of band: 15 mm
Diameter at bourrelet: 104.6 mm

Weight of filling: 1.24 kilograms
Weight of loaded projectile: 15.55 kilograms

105mm Practice
Fuzing: Nose Percussion M35 p.c.
 Weight of filling: 0.3 kilograms

105mm Incendiary
Fuzing: Nose Percussion M35 p.c.
Filling:
-Phosphorus: 1.7 kg
-TNT: 0.09 kg
-Gasoline 1.? kg (Could be a 6 or a 0 due to the quality of the print)
-TNT: 0.07

Note: The print for the "Filling" section is very hard to read.  Apologies.

Remarks: The projectiles differ only in filling and fuzing.  Another modification is cast in one piece instead of having an adapter.

105/28mm HE M32

Guns used in: 105/28mm Light Field Gun, 105/14mm Gun, 105/32mm Gun
Fuzing: Nose Percussion Fuze M10

Overall length (w/ fuze): 469 mm
Overall length (w/o fuze): 455 mm
Diameter at base: 90 mm
Distance base to band: 58 mm
Width of band: 14.8 mm
Diameter at bourrelet: 104.6 mm

Type of filling: TNT
Weight of filling: 2.35 kilograms
Weight of loaded projectile: 16.3 kilograms
Booster used: No.2 M38

105/28mm ADE M32

Guns used in: 105/28mm Light Field Gun, 105/14mm Gun, 105/32mm Gun
Fuzing: Nose Fuze ADE M32 or ADE M36

Overall length (w/ fuze): 510 mm
Overall length (w/o fuze): 415 mm
Diameter at base: Unknown
Distance base to band: 68 mm
Width of band: 14.8 mm
Diameter at bourrelet: 104.6 mm

Type of filling: TNT
Weight of filling: 1.76 kilograms
Weight of loaded projectile: 16.125 kilograms
Booster used: No.2 M38

105mm AP

Guns used in: 105/14mm Light Field Gun
Fuzing: Unknown

Overall length: 300.5 mm
Diameter at base: Unknown
Distance base to band: 59.5 mm
Width of band: 18 mm
Diameter at bourrelet: Unknown

Type of filling: Unknown
Weight of filling: Unknown
Weight of loaded projectile: 15.65 kilograms

105/25mm EP (Hollow Charge)

Guns used in: 105/25mm Gun
Fuzing: Unknown

Overall length: Unknown
Diameter at base: Unknown
Distance base to band: Unknown
Width of band: 18 mm
Diameter at bourrelet: 104.3 mm

Type of filling: Unknown
Weight of filling: Unknown
Weight of loaded projectile: 14 kilograms

Remarks: Little is known about this projectile except that it is a fixed round and is one of the latest types since it was used in 1944.  The cap is 230 mm long.  The rotating band is soft iron instead of copper.

105mm (Hollow Charge) M43

Guns used in: 105/14mm Light Field Gun
Fuzing: Unknown

Overall length: Unknown
Diameter at base: Unknown
Distance base to band: Unknown
Width of band: Unknown
Diameter at bourrelet: Unknown

Type of filling: Unknown
Weight of filling: Unknown
Weight of loaded projectile: 14 kilograms

Remarks: Little information is available on this projectile since it was one of the latest designs.

Next Time: Italian 120mm Projectiles

Italian Explosive Ordnance - 76mm to 90mm Projectiles

Italian Explosive Ordnance

  

76/40-45mm HE

Guns used in: 76/40mm and 76/45mm Anti-Aircraft Guns
Fuzing: Nose Time Fuze M900/34

Overall length (w/ nose): 309 mm
Diameter at base: 75.4 mm
Distance base to band: Unknown
Diameter at bourrelet: 75.47 mm

Type of filling: TNT
Weight of filling: 0.5 kilograms
Weight of loaded projectile: 6.05 kilograms

Weight of complete round:
-76/40mm: R.C. 9.115 kg or 9.635 kg
-76/45mm: R.C. unknown or 10.328 kg
(R.C. stands for Reduced Charge)

Propellent charge:
-76/40 Full Charge: 0.97 kg Ballistite
-76/40 Reduced Charge: 0.284 kg
-76/45 Full Charge: 1.62 kg
76/45 Reduced Charge: 0.332 kg Ballistite






76/40-45mm HE M36

Guns used in: 75/40mm and 76/45mm Anti-Aircraft Guns
Fuzing: Nose Time Fuze M36

Overall length of round: Unknown
Diameter at base: Unknown
Distance base to band: Unknown
Width of band: 17.2 mm
Diameter at bourrelet: 75.74 mm

Type of filling: Probably TNT
Weight of filling: 0.236 kilograms
Weight of loaded projectile: 6.215 kilograms

Length of completed round:
-76/40mm: 736 mm
-76/45mm: 992.9 mm

Propellent charge:
-76/40mm: 0.97 kg Ballistite
-76/45mm: 1.62 kg

Booster: No. 2 M38

Remarks: The ammunition also is made up with reduced propellent charges.




  

77mm HE (Short)

Guns used in: 77/28mm Field Gun
Fuzing: Nose Percussion Fuze M10, I. M35 p.c., I. M38 p.c., or M (Guerritore)

Overall length (w/ fuze): 261 mm
Overall length (w/o fuze): 247 mm
Diameter at base: 75.8 mm
Distance base to band: 49 mm
Width of band: 8 mm
Diameter at bourrelet: 76.3 mm
Type of filling: Probably TNT
Weight of filling: 0.58 kg
Weight of loaded projectile: 4.68 kg





77mm HE (Long)

Guns used in: 77/28mm Field Gun
Fuzing: Nose Percussion Fuze M10 or I. M38 p.c.

Overall length (w/ fuze): 298 mm
Overall length (w/o fuze): 281 mm
Diameter at base: 76 mm
Distance base to band: 55 mm
Width of band: 10 mm
Diameter at bourrelet: 76.3 mm
Type of filling: TNT
Weight of filling: 0.695 kg
Weight of loaded projectile: 6.24 kg
Booster Used: No. 1 M38





77mm AA

Guns used in: 77/28mm Anti-Aircraft Gun
Fuzing: Nose Time Fuze MO6/17

Overall length: Unknown
Diameter at base: Unknown
Distance base to band: Unknown
Width of band: 8.3 mm
Diameter at bourrelet: 76.3 mm

Type of filling: TNT
Weight of filling: 0.22 kg
Weight of loaded projectile: 5.921 kg
Length of complete round: 492.5 mm
Weight of complete round: 8 kg, RC 7.6 kg

Propellent charge:
-Full: 0.544 kg C2 or C.G. 13
-Reduced: 0.15 kg Ballistite





90/42-53mm HE

Guns used in: 90/53mm Anti-Aircraft Gun

Fuzing: Base Fuze - Unknown

Overall length: 400 mm
Diameter at base: Unknown
Distance base to band: 88 mm
Diameter at bourrelet: 89.7 mm
Width of band: Unknown
Type of filling: TNT
Weight of filling: Unknown
Weight of loaded projectile: 10 kg
Length of complete round: Unknown (Manual states 17.4 kg)
Propellent charge: 2.62 kg

90mm AA

Guns used in: 90/53mm Anti-Aircraft Gun

Fuzing:
-Nose Time Fuze M41 or M.T.36
-Nose Fuze I.O. M40 p.c.
-Nose Fuze R40 m.c.

Overall length (w/o fuze): 309 mm
Diameter at base: Unknown
Distance base to band: 97 mm
Diameter at bourrelet: 89.7 mm
Width of band: Unknown
Type of filling: TNT
Weight of filling: 1 kg
Weight of loaded projectile: 10.1 kg to 10.3 kg
Length of complete round: 887 mm
Weight of complete round: 17.05 kg to 17.913 kg
Propellent charge: 1.465 kg to 2.65 kg

Remarks: The weight and length of rounds depend on fuzing.  The projectile has a screwed-in base plate and two copper driving bands; one band is covered by the cartridge case.

90/53mm AP

Guns used in: 90/53mm Anti-Aircraft Gun

Fuzing: Base Fuze MO9

 Overall length: 407 mm
Diameter at base: Unknown
Distance base to 1st band: Unknown
Distance base to 2nd band: 97 mm
Diameter at bourrelet: 89.7 mm
Width of band: Unknown
Type of filling: Probably TNT
Weight of filling: Unknown
Weight of loaded projectile: 12.16 kg
Total length of round: 985 mm
Weight of complete round: 19.6 kg
Weight of propellent: 2.67 kg

Next Time: Italian 100mm and 105mm Projectiles

Italian Explosive Ordnance - 75mm Projectiles (Part 2)

Italian Explosive Ordnance

  

75mm AA

Guns used in: 75/27mm Anti-Aircraft Gun
Fuzing: Nose Time Fuze MO6/17

Overall length of round: Unknown
Diameter at base: Unknown
Distance base to band: Unknown
Width of band: Unknown
Diameter at bourrelet: Unknown

Type of filling: TNT
Weight of filling: 0.123 kilograms
Weight of loaded projectile: 6.381 kilograms
Length of complete round: 517mm
Weight of complete round: 8.32kg

Propellent charge:
-0.57kg Ballistite, or
-0.56kg C2 Powder





75mm AP

Guns used in: 75/18mm SPAG, 75/13mm Mountain Howitzer
Fuzing: Base Fuze MO9/41 p.c.

Overall length of round (w/o fuze): 330 mm
Diameter at base: Unknown
Distance base to band: 49.7 mm
Width of band: 9.7 mm
Diameter at bourrelet: 74.74 mm

Type of filling: TNT
Weight of filling: 0.265 kilograms
Weight of loaded projectile: 6.42 kilograms
Length of round (fixed): 572.8mm
Weight of round (fixed): 8.08kg
Propellent charge (fixed): 0.42kg Ballistite
Booster: No. 5 M38

Remarks: The projectile is fitted with piercing and ballistic caps.  The cartridge case for 75/18mm fixed round is made of steel.




  

75/27mm AP

Guns used in: 75/18mm SPAG, and 75/27mm Field Gun
Fuzing: Base Fuze MO9/41

Overall length: 307 mm
Diameter at base: Unknown
Distance base to band: 50 mm
Width of band: 9.7 mm
Diameter at bourrelet: 74.74 mm

Type of filling: Probably TNT
Weight of filling: 0.27 kg
Weight of loaded projectile: 6.2 kg
Length of round (fixed): 75/18 - 589.5 mm
Weight of round (fixed): 7.88 kg

Propellent charge (fixed): 0.42kg Ballistite







75/32mm AP

Guns used in: 75/34mm SPAG, 75/32mm Field Gun
Fuzing: Base Fuze MO9/41

Overall length: 307 mm
Diameter at base: Unknown
Distance base to band: 50 mm
Width of band: 15 mm
Diameter at bourrelet: 74.74 mm

Type of filling: Probably TNT
Weight of filling: Unknown
Length of round (fixed): 591.1 mm
Weight of round (fixed): 8.59 kg
Propellent charge (fixed): 0.85 kg F.B1 Powder

Remarks: Projectile differs very slightly from 75mm AP Type 1 and Type 2.








75mm EP (Hollow Charge)

Guns used in: 75/18mm SPAG, 75/18mm Mountain Howitzer
Fuzing: Base Fuze E.P. M36

Overall length (w/ nose cap): 254 mm
Overall length (w/o nose cap): 208 mm
Diameter at base: Unknown
Distance base to band: 58 mm
Diameter at bourrelet: 74.74 mm
Width of band: 9.7 mm

Type of filling: Unknown
Weight of filling: Unknown
Weight of loaded projectile: 4.5 kg
Length of round (fixed): 428.5 mm
Weight of round (fixed): 5.87 kg
Propellent charge (fixed): 0.249kg Ballistite

Remarks: The semifixed round uses the cartridge case for the 75/18mm Howitzer.  The cartridge case for the fixed round is made of steel.

75mm EPS (Hollow Charge)

Guns used in: 75/13, 75/18, 75/27, 75/32mm Guns, and 75mm SPAGs
Fuzing: Base Fuze I.E.P.M.

Overall length (w/ fuze): 310 mm
Overall length (w/o fuze): 302 mm
Diameter at base: Unknown
Distance base to band: 58 mm
Width of band: 9.7 mm
Diameter at bourrelet: 74.74 mm

Type of filling: Unknown
Weight of filling: Unknown

Total length of round:
-75/13mm: 484.5 mm
-75/18mm: 578.1 mm

Weight of complete round:
-75/13mm: 6.57 kg
-75/18mm: 7.37 kg

Weight of propellant:
-75/13mm: 0.249 kg
-75/18mm: 0.69 kg

75/13mm EP (Hollow Charge)

Guns used in: 75/18mm SPAG, 75/18mm Mountain Howitzer
Fuzing: Base Fuze E.P. M41

Overall length: 307 mm
Diameter at base: Unknown
Distance base to band: 58 mm
Width of bands: 9.7 mm
Diameter at bourrelet: 74.74 mm

Type of filling: Probably TNT
Weight of filling: Unknown
Length of round (fixed): 483 mm
Weight of round (fixed): 6.579 kg
Weight of loaded projectile: 5.2 kg
Propellent charge (fixed): 0.249 kg Ballistite

Remarks: The fixed cartridge case is made of steel.  The projectile has a nose cap which is 83.5mm long.

75mm EPS M42 (Hollow Charge)

Guns used in: 75/18mm and 75/34mm SPAGs, 75/27mm Field Gun

Fuzing: Nose Fuze E.P.S. M42

Overall length (w/ fuze): 310 mm
Overall length (w/o fuze): 298 mm

Diameter at base: Unknown

Distance base to band: 58 mm

Width of bands: 9.7 mm

Diameter at bourrelet: 74.74 mm

Type of filling: Probably TNT

Weight of filling: Unknown

Weight of loaded projectile: 5.3 kg

Length of round (fixed):
-75/18mm: 484.5 mm
-75/34mm: 586.1 mm

Propellent charge (fixed):
-75/18mm: 0.249 kg Ballistite
-75/34mm: 0.69 kg F.B1 Powder

Weight of round (fixed):
-75/18mm: 6.67 kg
-75/34mm: 7.47 kg

Remarks: The cartridge case in the fixed type of ammunition (75/18mm) is made of steel.  The projectile has a 74mm cap, which is hollow.

75mm Incendiary (F/C and F.1/C)

Guns used in: 75mm Infantry Gun

Fuzing: Nose Percussion Fuze I. M35 p.c. / I. M38 p.c.

Overall length w/o fuze (F/C): 266 mm
Overall length w/o fuze (F.1/C): 276.7 mm

Diameter at base: 74.2

Distance base to band: 38 mm
Width of bands: 10 mm

Diameter at bourrelet:
-(F/C): 74.5 mm
-(F.1/C): 74.6 mm

Type of filling (F.1/C): Phosphorus

Weight of filling (F.1/C): 0.7 kg
Weight of loaded projectile:
-(F/C): 6.3 or 6.4 kg
-(F.1/C): 5.265 kg

Remarks: These two projectiles are similar except for weight and type of incendiary filling.

Next Time: Italian 76mm to 90mm Projectiles