Italian Explosive Ordnance - Cartridge Cases

Italian Explosive Ordnance

Cartridge Cases



 It is the Italian practice to have more than one weight for the normal charge for a particular equipment.  These are referred to as 1st, 2nd, and 3rd normal charge.  In terms of weight, these represent decreasing values.  The charge may be a flashless type or nonflashless.  A flashless charge is obtained by the inclusion of bags containing potassium chloride.  Two types of marking and coloring systems were used.

The Old System had:

A. Colored rings on the base of the cartridge to refer to the propellent charge.

Red ---------- 1st normal charge
Blue ---------- 2nd normal charge
2 black rings ---------- 3rd normal charge
Red and White ----------- 1st flashless charge
Blue and White ----------- 2nd flashless charge
2 black half rings ---------- 3rd flashless charge
Green and White ----------- Special charge for star shells


B. Colored triangles on the base.

Black ---- 1st class condition
Green ---- Near end of its life
Yellow ---- Practice



C. Other marks

Green circle ---- AA
White ----- Star Shell
C.L. ----- Tracer fitted


On 76/17 and smaller calibers, there is insufficient space for complete rings and so color letters give details.

D. On the bags are the following general markings relating to propellent.

1. Initial of manufacturer
2. Lot and date of manufacture
3. Place and date of proof
4. Place and date of filling





The New System:

The type of charge is indicated by a number in brackets, as follows:

[1] - 1st normal charge
[2] - 2nd normal charge
[3] - 3rd normal charge

If the charge is flashless, there is a half black ring on the base.  A complete black ring indicates a special charge for light projectiles, usually a 3rd normal charge.

The following signs have indicated significance:

Black circle ----- AA
Black triangle ----- 1st class condition
Black square ----- 2nd class condition
Black diamond ----- Near end of life
Black star ----- Star shell
C.L. ----- Tracer fitted

75/13mm Mountain Gun Cartridge Case

Overall length: 129 mm
Overall diameter at mouth: 77.2 mm
Width of rim: 4 mm
Diameter at rim: 85 mm
Weight of empty case: 0.67 kilograms
Igniter: 10 g black powder
Primer: Percussion Primer M29 or M35








75/18mm Mountain Howitzer Cartridge Case

Overall length: 185 mm
Overall diameter at mouth: 78.5 mm
Width of rim: Unknown
Diameter at rim: 90.2 mm
Weight of empty case: 0.83 kilograms
Igniter: 10 g black powder
Primer: Percussion Primer M29 or M35

  

75/27mm Field Gun Cartridge Case

Overall length: 185.4 mm
Overall diameter at mouth: 78.5 mm
Width of rim: 3.6 mm
Diameter at rim: 90.2 mm
Weight of empty case: 0.835 kilograms
Igniter: 10 g black powder
Primer: Percussion Primer M29 or M35









75/32mm Light Field Gun Cartridge Case

Overall length: 334.1 mm
Overall diameter at mouth: 78.5 mm
Width of rim: 3.6 mm
Diameter at rim: 90.2 mm
Weight of empty case: 1.4 kilograms
Igniter: 10 g black powder










77/28mm Field Gun Cartridge Case

Igniter: 10 g black powder
Primer: Percussion Primer MO8 P.B. 29 or 35











100/17mm Light Field Howitzer Cartridge Case

Overall length: 132 mm
Overall diameter at mouth: 103.6 mm
Width of rim: 4 mm
Diameter at rim: 115 mm
Weight of empty case: 1.21 kilograms
Primer: Percussion Primer M29 or M35

Remarks: This cartridge case and loadings are also used for the 100/17mm Mountain Howitzer.

105/14mm Light Field Howitzer Cartridge Case

Overall length: 135 mm
Overall diameter at mouth: 110.9 mm
Diameter at rim: 122 mm
Weight of empty case: 1.76 kilograms
Igniter: 25 grams black powder
Primer: Percussion Primer M29 or M35





105/28mm Gun Cartridge Case
 

Overall length: 135 mm
Overall diameter at mouth: 110.9 mm
Diameter at rim: 122 mm
Weight of empty case: 1.76 kilograms
Igniter: 25 or 30 grams black powder with 5 grams of lead foil as a de-coppering charge
Primer: Percussion Primer M29 or M35

Remarks: Most cases for 105mm caliber guns are the same, but the propellent loading varies.  This same type of case and loading is used for the 105/32mm gun.







149/12mm Heavy Field Howitzer Cartridge Case

Overall length: 100 mm
Overall diameter at mouth: 157.2 mm
Diameter at rim: 171 mm
Weight of empty case: 1.8 kilograms
Igniter: 25 g black powder
Primer: Percussion Primer M29 or M35

149/13mm Heavy Field Howitzer Cartridge Case

Overall length: 221 mm
Overall diameter at mouth: 151.9 mm
Width of rim: 6 mm
Diameter at rim: 164.7 mm
Igniter: 25 g black powder
Primer: Percussion Primer M29 or M35








152/37mm Gun Cartridge Case

Overall length: 767 mm
Overall diameter at mouth: Unknown
Width of rim: Unknown
Diameter at rim: 180 mm
Weight of empty case: 9.72 kilograms
Igniter: 50 g black powder
Primer: Percussion Primer M35

Remarks: The charge of the propellent varies with the type of projectile used.










380/15mm Heavy Howitzer Cartridge Case

Overall length: 855 mm
Overall diameter at mouth: 390 mm
Width of rim: Unknown
Diameter at rim: 420 mm
Weight of empty case: 44 kilograms

Next Time: Italian Hand and Mortar Grenades