{"product_id":"original-u-s-wwii-57mm-m22-inert-drill-cartridge-for-m1-gun-british-6-pounder-7-cwt-m70-projectile-dated-april-1942","title":"Original U.S. WWII 57mm M22 Inert Drill Cartridge for M1 Gun \u0026 British 6-Pounder 7 cwt. - M70 Projectile Dated April 1942","description":"\u003cp\u003eOriginal Item: Only One Available. This is a great original U.S. WWII 57mm Drill Cartridge M22, manufactured as completely inert training ammunition for the U.S. 57mm Gun M1 and compatible British Ordnance QF 6-pounder 7 cwt. anti-tank gun. Measuring approximately 23 inches overall and weighing approximately 12 pounds, this substantial cartridge duplicated the general dimensions, weight, and handling characteristics of service ammunition so gun crews could practice loading, unloading, and manipulation without using live ammunition. The casing is painted green and part of the projectile is painted red.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThis cartridge is completely inert and contains no explosive material. It cannot function as originally intended as live ammunition and is\u003cb\u003e not available for export.\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe projectile is marked at the driving band with the following:\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003e\"57G, M1 \u0026amp; 6PR, 7 CWT., DRILL CARTRIDGE, M22\"\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThese markings show that the cartridge \"shell\" was made for both British and U.S. forces, as it has the designations of both are listed. The projectile is stamped on the side:\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"text-align: center;\"\u003e\u003cb\u003e57 MM\u003c\/b\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003eM 70\u003c\/b\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003eAK\u003c\/b\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003e4-42\u003c\/b\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003e24-23, 141-3\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThis denotes\u003cb\u003e\u003ci\u003e April 1942 \u003c\/i\u003e\u003c\/b\u003emanufacture.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThese shells were used during firing drills, so that the soldiers could get used to quickly loading and unloading the gun, so that when the time came to actually fire it, there were no questions as to how to load it. There is heavy wear to the casing with scratching and scuffing of the finish.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe relationship between the American 57mm M1 and British 6-pounder is particularly well documented. The U.S. Army’s wartime TM 9-1904 Ammunition Inspection Guide states that the 57mm Gun M1 was adapted from the British 2.24-inch 6-pounder and notes that, despite differences between the guns themselves, the same ammunition could be fired from either weapon. This interchangeability explains the dual American and British weapon designation stamped directly onto M22 drill cartridges such as this example.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe British Ordnance QF 6-pounder 7 cwt. entered combat service in 1942 and rapidly became one of the principal Allied anti-tank guns of the middle years of World War II. The United States adopted the design as the 57mm Gun M1, modifying aspects of the British weapon while retaining compatible 57mm ammunition. The American gun subsequently became a standard infantry anti-tank weapon.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eBy 1944, the 57mm M1 was firmly established in U.S. infantry organization. The War Department’s June 1944 FM 23-75, 57-mm Gun M1 devoted extensive instruction to crew drill, ammunition handling, preparatory gunnery, and operation of the weapon, reflecting the importance placed on rapid and disciplined gun-crew training.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe combination of the M22 drill-cartridge designation, dual U.S. 57mm M1 and British 6-pounder 7 cwt. weapon markings, original M70 projectile dated April 1942, substantial 23-inch overall dimensions, and extensive authentic drill wear makes this a particularly informative example of Allied WWII anti-tank gun training ammunition. The surviving markings also document an interesting wartime economy of production in which an originally manufactured M70 projectile was subsequently repurposed for repeated training use as part of an inert M22 drill cartridge.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Original Items","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":45719982997573,"sku":"ONSV26CNB176","price":250.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/1524\/1342\/files\/ONSV26CNB176__01.jpg?v=1790479798","url":"https:\/\/www.ima-usa.com\/products\/original-u-s-wwii-57mm-m22-inert-drill-cartridge-for-m1-gun-british-6-pounder-7-cwt-m70-projectile-dated-april-1942","provider":"International Military Antiques","version":"1.0","type":"link"}