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

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

Italian Explosive Ordnance - 75mm Projectiles (Part 1)

Italian Explosive Ordnance

  

75/13mm HE

Guns used in: 75/13mm Mountain Gun
Fuzing: Nose Percussion Fuze M10 I.M35 p.c., I.M38 p.c, or I.M40 p.c.

Overall length of round: 266 mm
Diameter at base: 74.2 mm
Distance base to band: Unknown
Width of band: Unknown
Diameter at bourrelet: 74.6 mm

Type of filling: MNDT or TNT
Weight of filling: 0.37 kilograms
Weight of loaded projectile: 6.37 kilograms







75/13mm HE (Light Case)
 
 

Guns used in: 75/13mm Field Gun
Fuzing: Nose Percussion Fuze M (Guerritore) or M10

Overall length of round (w/o fuze): 276.7 mm
Diameter at base: 74.2 mm
Distance base to band: 38 mm
Width of band: 12 mm
Diameter at bourrelet: 74.6 mm

Type of filling: MDNT or TNT
Weight of filling: 0.53 kilograms
Weight of loaded projectile: 5.1 kilograms

Booster used: No. 1 M38

  

75/13mm HE M32
 
 

Guns used in: 75/18mm and 75/34mm SPAG, and 75/27mm Field Gun
Fuzing: Nose Percussion Fuze M10

Overall length (w/ fuze): 319 mm
Overall length (w/o fuze): 305 mm
Diameter at base: 64.4 mm
Distance base to band: 58 mm
Width of band: 9.7 mm
Diameter at bourrelet: 74.74 mm
Weight of filling: 0.6 kg
Weight of loaded projectile: 6.35 kg


Total length of round:
75/18 - 479.1 mm
75/34 - 580.7 mm

Weight of complete round:
75/18 - 7.725 kg
75/34 - 8.52 kg

Weight of propellent charge:
75/18 - 0.42kg Ballistite
75/34 - 0.69kg F.B1 Powder









75/27mm HE M32

Guns used in: 75/18mm SPAG, 75/13mm Mountain Gun
Fuzing: Nose Percussion Fuze M10 or I.O. M40 p.c.

Overall length (w/ fuze): 319 mm
Overall length (w/o fuze): 305mm
Diameter at base: Unknown
Distance base to band: 46 mm
Width of band: 9.7 mm
Diameter at bourrelet: 74.74 mm

Type of filling: TNT
Weight of filling: 0.6 kg
Weight of loaded projectile: 6.35 kg
Total length of round: 591.5 mm
Weight of complete round: 7.725 kg
Weight of propellent charge: 0.42 kg Ballistite







75/32mm HE

Guns used in: 75/34mm SPAG, 75/32mm Field Gun
Fuzing: Nose Fuze I.O. M. 36/40 or Nose Fuze A.D.E. M36

Overall length: 351 mm
Diameter at base: 65.2 mm
Distance base to band: 53 mm
Diameter at bourrelet: 74.74 mm
Width of band: 15 mm

Type of filling: Probably TNT
Weight of filling: Unknown
Weight of loaded projectile: 6.35 kg

Remarks: The same projectile is used in fixed or semi-fixed type ammunition.  The cartridge case used for fixed round for the 75/34mm gun is 632.1 mm long and weighs 8.42 kg.  The propellent consists of I.B.I. powder weighing 0.69 kg.

75/32mm A.D.E. HE

Guns used in: 75/32mm Field Gun
Fuzing: Nose Fuze A.D.E. M36

Overall length (w/ fuze): 368 mm
Overall length (w/o fuze): 273 mm
Diameter at base: 65.2 mm
Distance base to band: 42 mm
Width of band: 14 mm
Diameter at bourrelet: 74.74 mm

Type of filling: Unknown
Weight of filling: 0.5 kg
Weight of loaded projectile: 6.3 kg
Cartridge case: Type for 75/32mm gun

Remarks: The projectile is called a double-purpose type by the Italians and Germans.  It can be set for serial burst or impact.

75/46mm HE M34

Guns used in: 75/46mm Anti-Aircraft Gun
Fuzing: Nose Fuze M.T. for 75/46, M.T. 36 or Time M36

Overall length: Unknown
Diameter at base: Unknown
Distance base to band: Unknown

Width of bands:
1st Band: 15 mm
2nd Band: 16 mm

Diameter at bourrelet: 74.75 mm

Type of filling: TNT
Weight of filling: 0.33 kg
Weight of loaded projectile: 6.5 kg
Booster: No. 5 M38

Remarks: The projectile has double rotation band with a space of 10 mm between them.  The complete rounds weigh 10.645 kg and are 866.7 mm long.  The propelling charge is C2 weighing 1.47 kg.

75/46mm HE M36

Guns used in: 75/46mm Anti-Aircraft Gun

Fuzing: Nose Fuze A.D.E. M36

Overall length: Unknown

Diameter at base: Unknown

Distance base to band: Unknown

Width of bands:
1st Band: 15 mm
2nd Band: 16 mm

 

Diameter at bourrelet: 74.75 mm

Type of filling: TNT

Weight of filling: 0.345 kg

Weight of loaded projectile: 6.355 kg
Length of complete round: 880.4 mm
Length of cartridge case: 582.7 mm

Type of propellant:
-1.07 kg C2 Powder, or
-1.945 kg N.A.C. Powder, or
-1.605 kg M.B. Powder, or
-1.685 kg F.C4 Powder, or
-1.617 kg F.B1 Powder

Remarks: Double rotating band 10 mm apart.  Projectile almost identical to 75 HE M34.

 

Next Time: Italian 75mm Projectiles (Part 2)