American Projectiles and Explosives - 6-inch Projectiles (Part 1)

American Projectiles and Explosives

6-inch Projectiles





6-inch A.P. Mk 35 Mods 1-11

Guns used in: 6"/47 (case)
Overall length w/ cap & windshield: 27 inches
Overall length w/o cap & windshield: 17.19 inches
Diameter of base: 5.985 inches
Distance base to band: 1.55 inches
Width of band: 2.5 inches
Diameter at bourrelet: 5.985 inches

Filling: Explosive D
Weight of filling: 1.95 pounds
Weight of loaded projectile: 130 pounds
Charge/Weight ratio: 1.5%

Cartridge case: Mk 4
Primer: Mk 13 and all Mods
Tracer: Mk 5

Fuzes: Mk 21 Mods 0 and 1







6-inch Special Common Mk 27 Mods 1-8

Guns used in: 6"/53
Overall length w/ cap & windshield: 27 inches
Overall length w/o cap & windshield: 15.95 inches
Diameter of base: 5.985 inches
Distance base to band: 1.55 inches
Width of band: 2.5 inches
Diameter at bourrelet: 5.985 inches

Filling: Explosive D
Weight of filling: 2.2 pounds
Weight of loaded projectile: 105 pounds
Charge/Weight ratio: 2.1%

Cartridge case: N/A
Primer: Mk 15 Mod 1
Tracer: Mk 5

Fuzes: Mk 19 Mods 0 and 1


The 6-inch Special Common Projectiles Mk 27 Mods 2 and 5 have 2.5 pounds of explosive, rather than the 2.2 pounds contained in the other Mods.






6-inch Common Mk 20 Mods 0-4 (Obsolete)

Guns used in: 6"/50
Overall length: 22.7 inches
Diameter of base: 5.94 inches
Distance base to band: 1 inch
Width of band: 2 inches
Diameter at bourrelet: 5.985 inches

Filling: Explosive D
Weight of filling: 7.08 pounds
Weight of loaded projectile: 105 pounds
Charge/Weight ratio: 5.97%

Cartridge case: N/A
Primer: Mk 15 Mod 1
Tracer: Mk 5

Fuzes: Mk 28 and all Mods


This projectile may be found fuzed with Base Fuze Mk 3 and Mods.

Mods 0, 2, and 4 may also be issued B.L. & T. with adapter and Mk 5 Mod 1 Tracer for target practice.

This projectile may be found loaded with 6.25 pounds of Explosive D.






6-inch Common Mk 24 Mods 1-5

Guns used in: 6"/53
Overall length: 27 inches
Diameter of base: 5.985 inches
Distance base to band: 1 inch
Width of band: 2.5 inches
Diameter at bourrelet: 5.985 inches

Filling: Explosive D
Weight of filling: 5.73 pounds
Weight of loaded projectile: 105 pounds
Charge/Weight ratio: 5.46%

Cartridge case: N/A
Primer: Mk 15 Mod 1
Tracer: Mk 5

Fuzes: Mk 19 Mods 0 and 1


This projectile is reserved for submarines.  This projectile may be fuzed with Base Fuzes Mk 3 and Mods.  It is to be reloaded and refuzed with the Base Fuze Mk 19.

This projectile is also issued B.L. & T. with adapter and Tracer Mk 5 Mod 1 for target practice.






6-inch Common Mk 28 Mods 1 and 2

No picture available

Guns used in: 6"/47 (bag)
Overall length: 27 inches
Diameter of base: 5.985 inches
Distance base to band: 1.55 inches
Width of band: 2.5 inches
Diameter at bourrelet: 5.985 inches

Filling: Explosive D
Weight of filling: 5.72 pounds
Weight of loaded projectile: 105 pounds
Charge/Weight ratio: 5.45%

Cartridge case: N/A
Primer: Mk 15 Mod 1
Tracer: Mk 5

Fuzes: Mk 19 Mods 0 and 1

6-inch H.C. Mk 34 Mods 1-7

Guns used in: 6"/47 (bag);  6"/53 (case)

Overall length w/ nose fuze: 27.045 inches

Overall length w/o nose fuze: 22.225 inches

Diameter of base: 5.985 inches

Distance base to band: 1.55 inches

Width of band: 2.5 inches

Diameter at bourrelet: 5.985 inches

Filling: Explosive D

Weight of filling: 13.22 pounds

Weight of loaded projectile: 105 pounds

Charge/Weight ratio: 12.6%

Cartridge case: Mk 4

Primer: Mk 13 and all Mods

Tracer: Mk 5, Mk 5 Mod 1

Fuzes: 

-Base: Mk 28 Mods 0 and 1

-Nose: Mk 29 Mods 2 and 3 (P.D.F.)

-Steel nose plug

-Mk 18 Mods 2, 3, and 4 (M.T.F.)

-Mk 50 and all Mods (M.T.F.)

-Mk 63 Mod 0 (M.T.F.)

-Mk 47 Mod 0 (V.T.F.)

Auxiliary Detonating Fuzes:

-Mk 17 and all Mods

-Mk 46 Mod 0

-Mk 54 Mods 0 and 1

-Mk 44 Mods 0 and 1

A nose cap may be threaded to the projectile body over the nose fuze for moisture-proofing purposes.

When this projectile is used in the 6"/53 bag gun, the Primer Mk 15 Mod 1 is used.  The Auxiliary Detonating Fuze Mk 54 is replacing the Auxiliary Detonating Fuzes Mk 17 and Mk 46 in all assemblies.

A specially cavitized Mk 34 round, designed for use in the 6"/47 gun only, is being produced for assembly with the V.T. Fuze Mk 47.  When this fuze is used, the Base Fuze Mk 28 is also employed, without tracer.  This feature differs from other V.T. fuzed projectiles, which take no base fuze.  The Auxiliary Detonating Fuze Mk 44 will be used only in conjunction with the V.T. Fuze Mk 47.

Next Time: 6-inch Projectiles (Part 2)