Mystery shell?

**creutz40** · 12-18-2011, 08:03 PM

Bought this at a local auction last night. Looks to be german WW2?
Was looking for info as to country of origin/weapon used in etc.
Passed up 1943 us 37mm shell as well as 40mm bofors shell for it.
Hope i made the right call..........

Thanks, Patrick.

**Steve T** · 12-19-2011, 10:00 PM

The headstamp 'font' and coding is very close to German style of markings. However, I can't ID it precisely for you I'm afraid, but do believe it to be German in origin.

Steve T

**creutz40** · 12-20-2011, 12:54 AM

Thanks steve.
It does look to be german, but....can not determine caliber etc.
It has a slightly larger curcumference wise than my american 37mm shell casing.
The shell has a marking of w b w 35t. Was wondering if german tank shells were marked according to model of afv. 35t=pzkw 35t?
Just a thought.

Sorry for the crappy spelling.

**zwerge** · 12-20-2011, 06:20 PM

The code dbh on the primer is listed to Mannesmann,Dusseldorf plant,Germany.It looks like code aux on the rim,that is Polte-Werk,Magdeburg,Germany.What is the length in MM,what is the diameter in MM,is it steel or brass,the marking St after 35 indicates steel,give us some info to go on.

**JERSEY 34** · 12-20-2011, 06:24 PM

Hi,
I can't see too clearly but is that a Kriegmarine eagle just to the left of the number 37.... looks to be similar with black paint in it.... am I correct?
D.

**Martin Bull** · 12-21-2011, 09:08 AM

Just a thought to throw into the discussion ( as I don't immediately recognize the item )......but in size and shape it looks very similar to a Coffmann-type starting cartridge...?

**Steve T** · 12-21-2011, 09:37 AM

I was coming to the same conclusion Martin, especially given the lack of 'normal' blast cap. Would the rim of the cartridge not be rolled though if it was a starter ? The British ones I've seen all have a rolled rim.

Steve T

**Martin Bull** · 12-21-2011, 07:30 PM

You're right, Steve.....British aero-engine ones are brass and have a rolled rim, whereas this one looks steel. However, the painted lettering makes it look like something which would be re-used.

I am really guessing here, as I've never seen a German one...Kriegsmarine was mentioned ; Coffman-type starters were sometimes used on marine Diesels....?

**JERSEY 34** · 12-21-2011, 07:38 PM

Hi,
The more I look at this one the stamp seems to be a Kriegsmarine waffenamnpt for sure..... come on does anyone else see it or am I going daft here. Also... the primer looks to be live!
D.

**Hosa** · 08-06-2012, 12:38 PM

Hello,

this is a cartridge for the Wasserbombenwerfer C/35, a charge to fire the C/35 depth charge projector.

See: ## 50x159R what's that ?? ## WBW C/35