WTS 76MM M18 Hellcat round

[MATT]

Here is a nice 76 MM round. I was told by a few people that this is for a M18 Hellcat. The brass case is marked M26 and 1945. The projectile is dated 1944. I have attached some photos. Please let me know if you need more. Asking $450 OBO

[MATT]

[dogtags]

Check out: viewtopic.php?f=82&t=201343#p1177025

Your price might be a little high...

~Robert

[dogtags]

I also looked through TM 9-1901. Looks like you have:

76mm Cartridge Case. Case, Cartridge, 76mm, M26, is standard for 76-mm ammunition. This is a brass case, 21.3 inches long, weighing 5.28 pounds.

Projectile. Projectile, Fixed, A.P.C., M62A1, w/ Fuze, B.D., M66A1, and Tracer, 76-mm Guns, M1, M1A1, and M1A2.

This projectile is what gave many tank destroyers a hard time doing their job. The projectile was based on the naval 3 inch round, it had a small charge in the rear of the round which was supposed to explode after penetration of the targeted tank's armor plating. Unfortunately, it was discovered that it exploded on impact or shortly after causing the round not to penetrate. It is still a puzzling mystery as to why this problem was never addressed with a better base fuze or even removing the small HE charge in the rear of the round.

~Robert

[Loganr]

Or better yet get a high volocity round.
The politics of the time proably killed a lot of young men.
The projectile might be off a m10TD ?

[dogtags]

Or better yet get a high volocity round.
The politics of the time proably killed a lot of young men.
The projectile might be off a m10TD ?

No, the M10 used the 3" gun. The shell was the same but the case was a different length. It is for a M18 Hellcat or M4 Sherman's 76mm M1A1 gun.

~Robert

[Loganr]

true but the driving band is marked 3 in ? did they use one source for the projectiles and just case them differently ?

[DaninNM]

that is a correct 76.2mm M18 or Shermand "Easy 8" round. Usually the band says 76.2 mm and 3" on the same line - have seen them both ways. Incidentally, a comparison of the 37mm and the 57mm AT rounds also show the small base charge and the balloistic cap on the AP (hardened" ogive front of the AP projos. If you remove the ballastic cap from a 57mm round you will have the practice rounds that are so prevalent for the 57mm M1 towed gun. I have several 37mm shells with the same deal - ballistic cap v. no ballistic cap and they are just "smaller versions" of the 76mm and 57mm!

[dogtags]

true but the driving band is marked 3 in ? did they use one source for the projectiles and just case them differently ?

From TM 9-1901:

The 76mm gun is a composite of the 3-inch gun tube, and the 75mm tank gun breech ring and mechanism. Characteristics which govern the design of shell are much the same as for the 3-inch gun (the base diameter of the 76-mm gun is actually 763.2mm, or 3 inches), and corresponding rounds for the two guns use the same shells. However, the complete rounds are not interchangeable, since the chamber of the 76-mm gun is smaller and requires a shorter cartridge case as well as a different weight of propelling powder.

~Robert

[MATT]

Hi Robert, thanks for the link but I have already spotted it. I don't think my price is high at all. I sold two others just like earlier this year for the same price and a little higher. If it doesn't sell it will go back in my collection. I get sick of dusting them every year so I sell a few off. I have a buyer now but I cannot/will not ship overseas.

I have collected rounds for over 15 years and disagree on the 37MM prices as well. They are really drying up. I had 27 of them last year and sold 20 of them to a single collector who had a vehicle to put them in. He paid $175-$225 each depending on markings, types of projectiles, dates.... He spent years trying to find enough to fill his compartments. When he found out what I had he hounded me for months as I had no intention of selling anything.

I am not saying they can't be found as they are out there but what you find today is pathetic compared to what was found 15 years ago. What is it going to be like in another 15 years?

All the old sources and dealers have sold off their stocks and have not had anything good in a long time.

Just my two cents....

[Ratpacker]

I agree Matt. Inert ordnance of any kind is drying up fast. Its getting much harder to find as people a keeping it and more vehicle guys are seeking it out. Also, having it shipped in from overseas is much more difficult these days. I used to bring in all types from UK but not in the last 10 years.

[MATT]

bump...

[RobL]

Hi Matt,
I sent a PM.
Thanks,
Rob L.
Arcadia CA

[MATT]

Round sold. Thanks to buyer...

[billybob]

I have a empty 76mm casing dated 1944 that my brother brought back from iwo-jima. I am pretty proud of it.