Original Item: Only One Available. This is an impressive original U.S. Navy WWII 3-inch/50-caliber naval gun round, now completely inert and deactivated for display. Unlike purpose-made drill ammunition, this example incorporates an original service-type projectile and Mk. 9 cartridge case that have been rendered permanently inert. The complete assembly weighs approximately 20.2 lbs. (9.2 kg) and measures approximately 30 inches overall.

The round is in fair oxidized condition, and the rifled shell does not remove from the shell casing. The shell itself does not have any markings we can see, but the bottom of the shell casing has the usual manufacturing information:

US ANCHOR - LOT - 189 3-IN-50 CAL-MK-9
N.S.-5-1944-J.R.D.

This dates it to 1944, during World War II.

The designation 3-inch/50-caliber refers to a naval gun with a bore diameter of 3 inches and a barrel approximately 50 calibers in length. Guns of this general caliber served the U.S. Navy for many decades in several different Marks and configurations.

During WWII, the 3-inch/50 was an important dual-purpose naval gun, capable of serving against both surface and aerial targets. It was particularly common aboard smaller combatants and escort vessels where its relatively compact size made it suitable for a broad range of shipboard installations.

Three-inch/50 guns formed the principal gun armament on numerous destroyer escorts, patrol frigates, submarine chasers, minesweepers, patrol craft, and other auxiliary vessels during WWII. Early classes of destroyer escorts in particular were commonly armed with three 3-inch/50 guns when larger 5-inch/38 weapons were unavailable or reserved for higher-priority ships.

The weapon also appeared aboard converted WWI-era destroyers and a variety of specialized vessels, illustrating the considerable versatility of the 3-inch/50 system during the rapid wartime expansion of the U.S. Navy.

The Mk. 9 cartridge case represented one of the steel-case patterns used with 3-inch/50 ammunition. Its clearly stamped Navy markings and May 1944 date make the casing itself an especially useful surviving example of wartime naval ordnance production.

The combination of the original 3-inch/50 projectile, Mk. 9 cartridge case, May 1944 date, U.S. Navy anchor marking, LOT 189 identification, 30-inch overall size, and permanently inert configuration makes this an impressive example of WWII American naval ordnance. The fixed projectile, oxidation, and overall surface wear are the principal condition issues, while the clearly marked and dated case provides the strongest historical documentation of the piece.

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).