This is a 40mm brass shell case for a Bofors anti aircraft gun from World War II. The case measures 12" tall without the inert projectile. It measures 2 3/8" in diameter. The wooden projectile is 3 3/4" long and 2" in diameter. The projectile has been painted a solid red color, intended to represent the High Explosive Incendiary (HEI) round. The head stamp reads 40mm M25/ Lot 80/ Ordnance stamp/ FA 1943. The M25 indicates the shell case is made of brass. The M25B1 was a steel cartridge case. The Army and Navy both used the 40mm Bofors gun for atni aircraft use. The Ordnance stamp and FA indicates this one was used by the Army. Naval ammunition was stamped with an anchor. These shells were fed into the weapon in 4 round charger clips. If you've seen combat footage or movies of Navy ships during WWII then chances are you've seen these guns in action against Kamikaze attacks. The guns were usually in twin turret mounts, and the loaders can be seen feeding clip after clip into the weapon enabling the gunners to put up a wall of lead! These shells used three different projectiles for the Bofors gun, the M81A1 Armor Piercing Tracer (APT), SD MKII High Explosive Tracer (HET) and M17 Drill used for training purposes. The brass has turned an even dark bronze patina. This would make a great desk top display.

Item # AA729

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