Artillery Ammunition
The multiplicity of models and calibers of artillery weapons in the Czech Army in the past made an almost intolerable situation as regards ammunition supply, although ammunition for nearly all the available pieces is being produced in Czechoslovakia. It is presumed that the artillery ammunition reserve stocks are approaching a safe level at present.
Projectiles manufactured in Czechoslovakia for the Czech Army are unpainted (color of machined metal). On their surface are various stenciled markings which are usually in red. A typical arrangement of the markings, reading from nose to base of the projectile, is as follows:
Vertical red line on shell body at junction with fuze --- Fuze index mark, for combination fuze
A group of 2 to 4 letters --- Relates to filler
Red band, around center of shell body --- Indicates a projectile fitted with a combination fuze
Letters and/or symbol --- Trademark and location of manufacturer
Letter and fraction or Roman numeral --- Lot number and year of manufacture
The meanings of some of the letters relating to projectile fillers have been determined as:
TP --- Bursting charge of Cast TNT and booster fitted with a safety device.
TTR --- Bursting charge of Pressed TNT and booster.
TTRP or TTP --- Bursting charge of Pressed TNT and booster with a safety device.
Cartridge cases bear stenciled and stamped markings on the base. The stenciled markings are black and are arranged in a curved line along the rim. Typical stenciled markings, and their meanings, might be:
14 x 4.3/970-mm --- Size of propellant in mm.
Vz 38 trp --- Type of propellent
S 1/36 --- Series and year of manufacture
The stamped markings are arranged in straight lines on the base of the case. An example of the stampings on a case might be:
a symbol --- Trademark of firm
1920 --- Year of manufacture
3 --- Lot of series
21 cm Vz 16 --- Using weapon
Detailed information on Czech artillery ammunition packaging is not available. It is known that both wooden and metal packing boxes of conventional construction are used. Czech packing may be expected to be of approximately equal quality with that of the larger industrial nations. Identifying markings apparently are stenciled on the boxes, but details of their arrangement and precise meaning are not found.
75mm Complete Round, Fixed, HE, OCG Model ?(7.5-cm OCG Vz. ?)
This high-explosive round is fired from the Czech 75-mm anti-aircraft gun M1932 (Skoda) with a time fuze of a model as yet unidentified. The M1932 (Skoda) is to be found also in the Albanian and Rumanian Armies. Czech ammunition for the weapon, therefore, may be encountered in these two Satellite countries.
The steel projectile is unpainted, with red markings. A red band around the center of the projectile indicates the use of a combination fuze. The groove between the two rotating bands is packed with a heavy grease. The cartridge case is made of brass; stamped and stenciled markings appear on the base of the cartridge case.
Characteristics
Caliber: 75mm (2.95 in)
Weight of complete round: 11.87kg (26.38 lb)
Weight of projectile, as fired: ? kg (? lb)
Weight of propellant, w/o igniter: ? kg (? lb)
Type of projectile filler: Cast TNT
Weight of projectile filler: ? kg (? lb)
Packaging
No photo available
Information on packaging of this round is not available.