{"product_id":"original-u-s-wwii-inert-1942-dated-37mm-m55a1-practice-round-with-m50-dummy-fuze-and-matching-numbered-cardboard-tube","title":"Original U.S. WWII Inert 1942-Dated 37mm M55A1 Practice Round With M50 Dummy Fuze and Matching Numbered Cardboard Tube","description":"\u003cp\u003eOriginal Items: Only One Available. This is an excellent original U.S. WWII \u003cb\u003e37mm M55A1 Practice complete round for the M1A2 Antiaircraft Gun\u003c\/b\u003e, fitted with an inert \u003cb\u003eM50 Dummy Fuze\u003c\/b\u003e and accompanied by its original cardboard shipping tube bearing the same ammunition lot number as the cartridge case. The round is currently completely inert and contains no explosive material, in compliance with current BATF regulations governing inert ordnance. Although the M55A1 projectile itself contained no high-explosive filler, this type was originally designed as live-fired practice ammunition and, when issued, used a propelling charge and red tracer to reproduce the ballistic characteristics of the service M54 high-explosive shell.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003eNot Available For Export\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThese projectiles are similar in ballistic properties to service projectiles and are used for practice firing and training in marksmanship. They may be made from service projectiles or from components similar in shape to service projectiles. This round was designed to simulate the M54 HE shell for practice firing.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe fuze is stamped \u003cb\u003eFUZE, DUMMY, M50\u003c\/b\u003e. The projectile is stamped:\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"text-align: center;\"\u003e\u003cb\u003e37G\u003c\/b\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003eSHELL\u003c\/b\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003eM55A1\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe driving band is stamped \u003cb\u003eLOT 2104-18 1941 E.M. 37MM, M55A1-R.L.B. (ORDNANCE PROOF)\u003c\/b\u003e. The bottom of the casing is stamped:\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"text-align: center;\"\u003e\u003cb\u003e37MM, M17\u003c\/b\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003eLOT 6175-64 F.A. 1941\u003c\/b\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003eAMM. LOT.  15371-21P.A. \u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe projectile is made up of three parts. The body has no filler, but is made the same size as the HE, M54. A tracer cavity is machined into the base. Since no filler is used, the tracer does not have shell-destroying qualities. The tracer consists of red tracer composition and igniting compound closed into the tracer cavity with a celluloid cup which is sealed with adhesive compound. The fuze, dummy, M50, is entirely inert and is made in one piece of cast aluminum. It is the same size, shape, and weight as the M56 fuze. The original cardboard tube is stenciled:\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"text-align: center;\"\u003e\u003cb\u003e37MM. AUTO. GUN, M1A2\u003c\/b\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003eCOMPLETE ROUND\u003c\/b\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003eSHELL, M55A1, PRACTICE\u003c\/b\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003eLOT 15371-21 PACKED 10-41\u003c\/b\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003eP.A.\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThis means the round and cardboard tube are entirely matching and have always been together since 1941! What a rarity!\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThis example is particularly noteworthy for retaining the \u003cb\u003eM55A1 practice projectile, inert M50 dummy fuze, 1941-dated M17 cartridge case, and original cardboard tube carrying the matching ammunition lot number 15371-21 P.A.\u003c\/b\u003e The matching lot information substantially strengthens the association between the round and its packaging, while the surviving markings clearly identify the ammunition type, manufacturer or loading information, and October 1941 packing date. As an intact inert display example, it provides an unusually complete representation of the 37mm practice ammunition used with the U.S. M1A2 Antiaircraft Gun immediately before and during WWII.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Original Items","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":45818801094725,"sku":"ONSV26CNB136","price":350.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/1524\/1342\/files\/287AF56E-6319-4CA0-8B9C-AA1CD2AA7C85.jpg?v=1790017083","url":"https:\/\/www.ima-usa.com\/products\/original-u-s-wwii-inert-1942-dated-37mm-m55a1-practice-round-with-m50-dummy-fuze-and-matching-numbered-cardboard-tube","provider":"International Military Antiques","version":"1.0","type":"link"}