Experimental Ball Cartridges
Besides the changes with the crimping cannelures as desribed under chapter Ball M1906, a lot of experiments were done in the beginning years to come up with the ideal bullet.
One of the earliest tests were with bullets with a longer bearing surface. Tests started in 1907 and the year after, in 1908, Frankford Arsenal loaded some cartridges with a so-called Puff Bullet (named after the German Inventor).
Left to Right
early M1906 bullet
Bullet with longer bearing face
Later in 1908, tests were made with so-called Russian bullets. The designer being from Rusia. These were bullets with a Long tapering ogive. Several versions were tested from 1908 to 1909. The Russian bullet looks at first glance very similar to the Thomas pointed bullet but with a closer look, you will see they are different.
Left to right:
early M1906 bullet
Russian type bullet
Thomas pointed bullet
Later in 1909 experiments with a double tapered bullet were made. This bullet was called: The Captain Doe bullet. Specimens with weights from 170 to 180 grain have been seen.
Left to Right
cartridge with:
- Standard M1906 bullet
- Captain Doe bullet
In 1916, Frankford Arsenal loaded some cartridges according to a patent held by W.D. Smith. These cartridges had a graphite wad under the bullet. The wad was kept in place by a cannelure.
Left:
cartridge loaded according to the W.D. Smith patent.
note the cannelure at the base of the neck to hold
the graphite wad.
Headstamp: FA 11 16
In 1918, Frankford Arsenal started developing a round with an extended range compared to the 1906 cartridge. This was the result from experiences made in the First World War, where German and Fench bullets with a boat-tail proved to be more effective when used esp. out of machine guns. In the years 1918 - 1920 many different bullets and loadings were tested at the Army Ballistic Station at Daytona Beach. All bullets used in these tests had cupro-nickel bullet jackets.
From left to right:
cut-away view 175 grain M1919 bullet
175 grain M1919 bullet
175 grain Krag bullet with boat tail
180 grain Swiss profile flat based bullet
180 grain Swiss profile German boat tail bullet
180 grain M1920 bullet
190 grain French boat tail bullet
200 grain M1920 bullet
From left to right:
175 grain M1919 bullet
180 grain Swiss profile flat based bullet
180 grain Swiss profile German boat tail bullet
180 grain M1920 bullet
190 grain French boat tail bullet
200 grain M1920 bullet
These test resulted in the adaption of the 173 grain M1 bullet in 1925.
Below are some other US experimental rounds
In 1930, Frankford Arsenal loaded some M1898 Krag bullets on FA 30 cases for wound testing purposes for the ARMY medical museum
In 1943 the Western Cartridge Company made some cartridges with experimental bullet finishes. These were steel jacketed bullets with finishes called: Luberized, Bonderized and Jetalized.
The cases were headstamped SL 43
1952 experimental double-taper bullet by Remington
More experimental loadings by Remington from the early 50-ties.
Left:solid alloy bullet
Right: tungsten bullet
Both on FA 52 headstamped cases
In 1954 Lake City made a kind of manstopper bullet. This is a cylindrical bullet with a deep hollow point.
In 1955 Zisman & Fitzsimmons experimented with serrated steel bullets. These can be found with and without a green teflon coating.
In 1956 lead pieces were formed into a bullet shape and then copper-washed. This was done by St Louis Arsenal.
In 1958 cartridges with a so-called Hebler-tubular steel bullet were loaded. This is a steel bullet with a loose base.
There are several variations with bases made of Fiber, Aluminum or steel.
Hebler bullets with various sabots
Foto: courtesey Punnett/Woodin