Original Item: Only One Available. This 105mm Artillery round has been deactivated and rendered completely inert per BATF guidelines and cannot be converted back to an explosive device and is not available for export. The original casing has been deactivated, an fitted with a solid wood replica shell to be used for training purposes.

Since the early 21st century, most NATO armies have centred on 155 mm weapons as having a good compromise between range and destructive power whilst having a single calibre simplifies logistics; however some military forces have retained 105mm towed howitzers for their lightweight and portability. The lower power and shorter range of 105mm ammunition has led to its obsolescence in full-sized self propelled guns such as the American M108 and British Abbot. During the Cold War, the concept of the main battle tank was established and guns of 105mm (NATO) and 100mm (Warsaw Pact) were the standard until the advent of guns of 120mm (NATO) and 125mm (Warsaw Pact) from the 1960s to the 1990s. The L7 was widely used by NATO countries, and is still used in lighter-weight applications such as the Stingray light tank and the Stryker Mobile Gun System as well as older MBTs.

This 105mm Training round looks to be for the M2A1, M2A2, M103, and M137 105mm Howitzers, as stenciled onto the bottom of the round. The 105mm rounds used by U.S. forces were somewhat standardized, so they could be used for training with various different designs. The bottom of the round is also stamped with 105MM M14B4, a "rolled body" cartridge made from plated steel. Under this is the lot NIP-6-006 and date 1973.

Condition is very good, and this would make a great addition to any U.S. artillery collection. Ready to display!

Dimensions:
Shell Height: 13 3/4”
Shell Base Width: 4 1/4”
Casing Height: 14 1/2”
Casing Width: 4 1/2”
Total Height: 29”

M101A1 Howitzer
The 105 mm M101A1 howitzer (previously designated M2A1) is an artillery piece developed and used by the United States. It was the standard U.S. light field howitzer in World War II and saw action in both the European and Pacific theaters and during the Korean War. Entering production in 1941, it quickly gained a reputation for accuracy and a powerful punch. The M101A1 fires 105 mm high explosive (HE) semi-fixed ammunition and has a range of 12,330 yards (11,270 m), making it suitable for supporting infantry.

All of these qualities of the weapon, along with its widespread production, led to its adoption by many countries after the war. Its ammunition type also became the standard for many foreign countries' later models.