40mm shell -- Bofors?

gelandangan · Posted: Wed Feb 08, 2012 8:34 pm Post subject: 40mm shell -- Bofors?

Ok, a mate of mine gave me a call the other day since I am a "gun guy" he knows.
Out of his warehouse he found a box full of brass shell that he collected from Papua Nugini 20 or so years ago.

Ok so I go and see.. I thought that they are some 308 or such shell from WW2, but well,
here I found some 30 pieces of foot long shells, with 40mm at the neck and 62mm at the head.
When I look for similar type I found that they are similar in look as the BOFORS 40mm anti aircraft shells.

The shells are in various state of corrosion, it is without projectile or any powder inside.
BUT, I can see that the primers are intact!!!!!
there are no indentation that I usually associate with spent primers.
Apparently my mate found the shell fully loaded and he get a few "boys" to ripped the projectile out and burned the powder.

Now, he thought to sell the shells, and ask if I could help him to price them.
I know nothing about collectible stuff, but I am sure that you cannot sell a shell with LIVE primers in it.

So, anybody know anything about these?
Could anyone tell me how to remove the primer safely?
could anyone tell me what is the going rate for these shells?

The head have the following markings, as far as I could read it:

LOT NO 9400
12-43
40MM MK2

The primer have the following markings:

LT 903 UR 43
JAMC MK 02

Vince · Posted: Wed Feb 08, 2012 10:34 pm Post subject: Re: 40mm shell -- Bofors?

You got me Gelan...but what I will say is your mate and his friends are very lucky guys. The 40mm BOFORS had explosive projectiles in them...generally used as anti aircraft rounds. Did he happen to say what he did with the projectiles...I just like to know where he buried them so I can stay well away from that spot mate. Very Happy

Two things mate:

1. I doubt that the primers would be any good now and wouldn't fire, and
2. I would be extremely surprised if he could LEGALLY sell them as they are.

Having said that mate, there are collectors all over who would most likely make him and offer on one or all of these shells. What they may be valued at is anybody's guess mate...it is what someone is willing to pay for them. A whisper in a few ears at an Arms Fair would no doubt set the ball rolling.

Cheers, Vince

gelandangan · Posted: Wed Feb 08, 2012 10:48 pm Post subject: Re: 40mm shell -- Bofors?

Ah, he found these shell more than 20 years ago in Nugini, and the projectiles were ripped out there the time he found them.
Apparently they did not explode at the time, otherwise Graham would be called Stumpy Razz

Anyhow, it just happen that Penrith Gunshow is on in 2 weeks time.
Would be good to have them ready by then.

Suzanne · Posted: Thu Feb 09, 2012 8:20 am Post subject: Re: 40mm shell -- Bofors?

According to Wikipedia a Sydney war museum (they don't say the name of the museum) has a Bofors gun used in WWll, you might check with them about the ammo. They might have web site where you could send a photo. Just a thought. HHhhmmmm coffee table legs? There's also a photo of an Airman and R Lee Ermey loading ammunition in the Bofors of a Lockheed AC-130.

Suz

RePete · Posted: Thu Feb 09, 2012 9:25 am Post subject: Re: 40mm shell -- Bofors?

I wanna see the tumbler that you clean them in. Wave

Bushmaster · Posted: Thu Feb 09, 2012 10:06 am Post subject: Re: 40mm shell -- Bofors?

A cement truck...

MacD · Posted: Thu Feb 09, 2012 2:22 pm Post subject: Re: 40mm shell -- Bofors?

Sent a copy of the information and picture to a friend who collects heavy ordnance shells. He is a bit of an expert and an adviser on period armour and antitank warfare for a WW2 online game we both play that uses realistic ballistics and damage models. Hopefully he can help identify the casing. From what I can gather the price for spent casings isn't very high.

gelandangan · Posted: Thu Feb 09, 2012 8:07 pm Post subject: Re: 40mm shell -- Bofors?

Thanks MacD, I look forward to it.

Vince · Posted: Thu Feb 09, 2012 11:14 pm Post subject: Re: 40mm shell -- Bofors?

Suzanne wrote:

According to Wikipedia a Sydney war museum (they don't say the name of the museum) has a Bofors gun used in WWll, you might check with them about the ammo. They might have web site where you could send a photo. Just a thought. HHhhmmmm coffee table legs? There's also a photo of an Airman and R Lee Ermey loading ammunition in the Bofors of a Lockheed AC-130.

Suz

There are BOFORS guns all over Australia Suz. Defence gave a heap of them out to Returned Services Leagues clubs after the war as display pieces...rendered innocuous of course. They did the same with 25 Pounder artillery pieces (fore-runner to the 105mm howitzer) and also some submarine guns. You can find them decorating clubs and parks in most towns and cities.

It's also not uncommon to find the occasional captured artillery piece, often restored, on display.

Cheers, Vince

inthedark · Posted: Fri Feb 10, 2012 12:01 am Post subject: Re: 40mm shell -- Bofors?

Geland,
The stink of it is that the primer could very well still be active AND here is a website that should get you the information that you need.
www.bocn.co.uk/vbforum...2C+primers

It is the British Ordanance Collectors network in England. You will have to join the group to access the information that is there.
I hope it helps you.

gelandangan · Posted: Fri Feb 10, 2012 12:17 am Post subject: Re: 40mm shell -- Bofors?

ITD, thanks for the heads up, visiting there now.

English Mike · Posted: Fri Feb 10, 2012 5:32 pm Post subject: Re: 40mm shell -- Bofors?

Definitely a Bofors case.
Looks like this one: picturearchive.gunauct...bnail1.jpg

Bushmaster · Posted: Fri Feb 10, 2012 8:03 pm Post subject: Re: 40mm shell -- Bofors?

Gelandangan.....Slingshot at 40 paces.

gelandangan · Posted: Fri Feb 10, 2012 8:10 pm Post subject: Re: 40mm shell -- Bofors?

Bushmaster wrote:

Gelandangan.....Slingshot at 40 paces.

Yikes!

40mm sling shots?

Bushmaster · Posted: Fri Feb 10, 2012 8:20 pm Post subject: Re: 40mm shell -- Bofors?

No,No...I mean to hit the primer at 40 paces with the slingshot. Should set it off.