Original Item: Only One Available. This is an excellent original WWII 57mm M22 Drill Cartridge, manufactured as a completely inert training round 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 drill cartridge was designed to duplicate the size, weight, and handling characteristics of service ammunition without containing an explosive projectile or propellant charge.

This cartridge is completely inert and contains no explosive material. It cannot function as originally intended as live ammunition and is not available for export.

The projectile is marked at the driving band with the following:

"57G, M1 & 6PR, 7 CWT., DRILL CARTRIDGE, M22"

These 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 shell is not marked on the bottom that we can see, and the side of the casing has heavy wear to the finish.

These 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.

The 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.

The 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.

By 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.

At approximately 23 inches long and 12 pounds, this is an impressive and historically informative piece of WWII training ordnance. The surviving 57G, M1 & 6PR, 7 CWT., DRILL CARTRIDGE, M22 marking directly records the shared Anglo-American ammunition standard, while the extensive handling wear illustrates precisely the type of repetitive loading and unloading for which these inert cartridges were manufactured.

Totally inert, cannot be converted to an explosive device, not available for export. This item is completely legal within the USA. International Military Antiques, Inc observes all Federal, State and Local laws. Everything for sale on ima-usa.com is completely legal to own, trade, transport and sell within the United States of America.

All deactivated ordnance sold by IMA, Inc is engineered to be inoperable according to guidelines provided by the US Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (BATF).