Question about WWII 37mm and 76mm tank shells.

[Frank Nick]

Hello all,

I have a chance to purchase a WWII 37mm tank shell and also a WWII 76mm tank shell for my collection. I get a little confused in finding information on what markings,letters and numbers to look for. I would appreciate any help. I haven't seen them yet. I'll probably get a look at them this weekend. Also, if anyone could give an idea of price range. I'm not sure if they are casings or the full rounds. Thanks!

Regards,
Frank

[AZ Jeff]

Frank,

Here's some pointers:

76mm
Brass Cartridge Case: M26
Projectiles: M42A1 (HE) w/M48A2 Fuze, M62A1 (APC), M79 (AP)

37mm
Brass Cartridge Case: M16
Projectiles: M51 (AP), M51B1 (APC), M51B2 (APC), M74 (AP), M63 (HE), M2 (Cannister)

Unused projectiles are worth more than fired (duh). The M26 cases were used for years after WW2 in other applications so they may have 1950s markings on them in addition to WW2.

Jeff Q.
AZ

[DaninNM]

wrt 76mm: never have seen a 1950's 76mm case but other armies used that gun after WWII I have over 250 cases and they are all head stamped 1942-3-4-5. you might find some out of Europe or Yugo marked in 50's
Never have seen a stenciled projo for the 76mm and only have two original Ap rounds! Rare!

[Frank Nick]

Dan and Jeff, Thank you both for your helpful information! If anyone has ballpark figures for prices that would be great. I'm guessing around $50 - $125 for cases and $125 - $200 for complete shells?

Thank you,
Frank

[DaninNM]

The 37mm shells - complete rounds should be about $125 (collector items) the cannister rounds are about $175-200 very rare - solid black projo flat on the end.. The shell casings alone for the 37mm are in the $60 and up catagory since people are trying to buy them to shoot the 37mm gun.......Buy al you can at $50 - that's cheap
the 76mm shells are probably in the $200 range since people are charging about $85 for a nasty projectile that is not even the correct size.......beware....if the projo had a big lip in front of the driving band it is 3"-50 Navy projo and not a 76mm at one. I shoothtose after machining the band half off! The AT round which is correct for the Sherman and Hellcat has a small thin driving band that is only about 3/4" wide - should have lettering on it with size, lot number and type of shell.
Can send you some pictures of my collected ones if you like!

[Frank Nick]

The 37mm shells - complete rounds should be about $125 (collector items) the cannister rounds are about $175-200 very rare - solid black projo flat on the end.. The shell casings alone for the 37mm are in the $60 and up catagory since people are trying to buy them to shoot the 37mm gun.......Buy al you can at $50 - that's cheap
the 76mm shells are probably in the $200 range since people are charging about $85 for a nasty projectile that is not even the correct size.......beware....if the projo had a big lip in front of the driving band it is 3"-50 Navy projo and not a 76mm at one. I shoothtose after machining the band half off! The AT round which is correct for the Sherman and Hellcat has a small thin driving band that is only about 3/4" wide - should have lettering on it with size, lot number and type of shell.
Can send you some pictures of my collected ones if you like!

Hello Dan, If you could send pictures that would be great! I'm trying to look through some books that I have for some pictures/markings. Not sure about the driving band you mentioned. I've been looking to add some WWII shells to my collection. A guy I met at a flea market selling shells/militaria said he would call me if he had any 37, 75 or 76mm WWII tank shells. He called the other day after finding a 37 and 76mm. I'll be seeing the shells maybe this weekend. Many thanks for your time and help!

Frank

[DaninNM]

Be glad to photo the bands etc and send them to you - will post them here and if you send me a PM with your e-mail address - I will forward them via e-mail one or two at a time so you can blow them up full-size......I have a very large book with all the shell info in for the 37, 57 and 76-----you need to get yourself a copy of JANES - ammunition handbook from about 1960-70-80 fantastic data in there! good color photos too! Generally lists even the obsolete WWII ammo. Going tothe shop in the mid-morning - wil take my camera!!!!

[AZ Jeff]

Dan,

Just for clarification... I was referring to WW2-dated M26 cases with later (1955?) markings added. I've had them in the past.

Jeff Q.
AZ

[DaninNM]

I found two with the 1954 stamped in .... rest are ink marked 9-44 or 9-43

[DaninNM]

37mm 57mm 40mm 76mm shell and band shots - if you blow up the band shots you should be able to read the writing.....only one projo has writing on it!

[Frank Nick]

Dan,

Great pictures! I'll take some time and look at these photos. The guy has not called back about when I can see the tank shells. Maybe sometime this week. That's quite a collection you have! And.....you're enjoying a little "March Madness" at the same time! Hey, let me know if you would ever like to get rid of a few WWII tank shells.

Are the 40mm and 57mm tank shells? If so from what tank?

Thanks for showing these pictures!

Frank

[DaninNM]

no. 40mm is the L60 WWII Bofors Antiaircraft round and the 59mm is the M1 57mm antitank gun round. those are both readily available on ePay . Ony the 76mm and the 37mm rounds are tank and armored car rounds. Those are available from Bob Olmstead at Blue Sky Surplus in Spokane Washington. My rounds are all either to shoot or for the shell racks in my armored vehicles. Here are a couple of people that sell those kinds of things.....
http://www.cdvs.us

[DaninNM]

no. 40mm is the L60 WWII Bofors Antiaircraft round and the 59mm is the M1 57mm antitank gun round. those are both readily available on ePay . Ony the 76mm and the 37mm rounds are tank and armored car rounds. Those are available from Bob Olmstead at Blue Sky Surplus in Spokane Washington. My rounds are all either to shoot or for the shell racks in my armored vehicles. Here are a couple of people that sell those kinds of things.....
http://www.cdvs.us

[prefetch]

fwiw, if i recall correctly, my 76mm shell casings are stamped 44 and then overstamped 51. i'm guessing they were manufactured during ww2, and then refurbished for the korean war. dan, it looks like you have the exact same cartridges as i have - you should look carefully and you may see that yours have been overstamped for the korean war as well.

also note that there is a difference between the brass cartridges and the steel ones. the brass ones are nice and shiny - the steel ones, not so much. i imagine that if they are for display, the steel shells wouldn't be that nice (but they are just fine for shooting.)

i have an original (repainted) AP round, APC round and HE round for the 76mm. since the market is relatively small, it's hard to give a price, but i'd say at least $100-$200 per complete round (brass casing and projectile.)

photos you may find helpful:

[Ben Dover]

Any difference in the 37MM Shell for Towed Cannon and Armor and those used in the P-39 aircraft?