One for you military experts

[steve123]

Over the past year i have found 5 WW2 .50 cal rounds that have not been fired but have been broken by the plough. It had not crossed my mind that they may be AP rounds with exploding heads. Anyway thanks to you guys i have just tested them with a magnet and 4 out of the 5 are magnetic . What do you think i should do with them???.

Steve.

[Neil&Julie]

I would say its definitely not been fired, if it's magnetic I'd get rid of it! A normal FMJ (full metal jacket) is a lead core with a full jacket of copper (or nickel). An AP bullet has a steel core, hence the magnetism!

I'm not getting rid of it---what for,it's not dangerous,and besides it was given to me as a present. Solange kept it for nearly 70 years,I honestly don't see the problem.

In the UK (not sure about France) possessing an Armour Piercing bullet is a criminal offence under Section 5 (1A)(e) of the Firearms Act (Unless you are the holder of a collectors licence with this bullet specified on it). I know, I fell fowl of it and spent 3 months in prison! Using the excuse 'I dont see the problem with it' will not wash in court!! Also, ignorance to the law is no defence as my solicitor told me!

The fact that you were given it is no defence either, it is you that is in possession of it. Like I said, these are the laws in UK, I'd check up on the law in France if thats where you are.

[timesearch]

Thanks for posting this as it's an interesting story. The bad news is that I thing I may have found the reason for the mystery groove and it could be a live incendiary round. Have a look at this page on various .50 Calibre rounds.

http://www.inetres.com/gp/military/infa ... _ammo.html" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

Cheers, John

[Wansdyke44]

Hi mate. It doesn't look like a normal .50 caliber projectile to me... notice how it's banded. This could possibly prevent any 'firing scars' from appearing on it.

I'm not sure... this one has got me totally bamboozled!

You gotta read the answers mate. Its a live AP round. Once fired it would have rifling marks all down it...

[Chopper]

Hi mate. It doesn't look like a normal .50 caliber projectile to me... notice how it's banded. This could possibly prevent any 'firing scars' from appearing on it.

I'm not sure... this one has got me totally bamboozled!

You gotta read the answers mate. Its a live AP round. Once fired it would have rifling marks all down it...

Eh? I did read the answers! I'm referring to the large banding ring!

[Neil&Julie]

Im not convinced it a British or US bullet, it appears the band makes it French or Belgian, maybe a 13.2 x 96. Its definitely not been fired.

[Chopper]

Im not convinced it a British or US bullet, it appears the band makes it French or Belgian, maybe a 13.2 x 96. Its definitely not been fired.

That's what I'm thinking mate... it's like nothing I've seen before. I've been scouring the net, but I just can't find a match. It's bugging me now!

[froggyfagan]

Thank you all for your time and interest.
I've been looking around too but can't make any headway,.50 or 13.2 x 96,British,American,French or Belgian,could have come from a ship mounted Browning or various airoplanes,never been fired,could be incendary (should throw it in the fire to find out joking)Probably in illegal posession of an armour piercing bullet(I won't lose any sleep over that-my excuses and I thank you for your concern but---here in France and especially in the rural countryside,at least 90% of the homes have firearms,it's a different culture)
Perhaps by bumping the thread a conclusion could be reached.

[Neil&Julie]

I assume 90% of Farmhouses in North France probably have Stens, Brens and MP40's hidden in the loft or wine cellars that the current owners dont even know about!!!
I hope you find out, as its certainly an interesting one.

[Gary Huston]

Not sure if I'm happy to have stumbled upon this thread!
I have a .50 cal that I brazed a ring onto and have used as a key ring for the last 10 years. I've just put a magnet on it and it's highly magnetic and according to the above link means it could be an amour piercing incendiary! Bugger!!