Picked this up on the week-end.May use it as a door stop on the kids Cubby-House.
Paid $5 at a car parts swap meet.





Is that a little tear in your green eyes Muzza?

Is the projectile completely inert?

Considering that the projectles base plug is missing (last photo) it most likely is completly inert

ER,

Very nice, $5 was a steal. I would take care of the Hotchkiss and not let thte kids beat it up playing with it ,as it is collectable. This would be a good start for one of the kids getting into cartridge collecting. I got started into collecting with a 40m/m Bofors round, by the time I quit I had over 180 different rounds, not including variations. The collection was from 50BMG through 8", 1880-1970.

Hog Killer

quote:

---

Is that a little tear in your green eyes Muzza?

---

Not me mate , although that is a nice 37mm Pom Pom cartridge made by Hotchkiss . Every now and then you luck out and find something nice for not a lot of cash .

I wouldnt use it for a door stopper or let the nose-pickers play with it , it will only get bent and dirty , and lose value .

My collecting field doesnt go that high , although I do have several 37mm specimens , and know a guy who has a South African War era Maxim in his collection

Don't worry the rug rats won't be going anywhere near it.
I was just baiting the hook.

I guess you were drawn to it by its magnetic level of inertness...?

I have a shell or two at home and always wondered how safe they are. The guy who old them to me at a arms fair said they were so they must be!

So what were these rounds designed for? anti-aircraft, anti-tank? Look like a nice sized elephant rifle to me.

Originally the 37mm was used as a light , rapid fire field piece - capable of around 100 rounds per minute - dont quote me on that , just off the top of my head without finding the relevant text . Hence the name Pom-Pom gun from the sound of it firing .

Brit forces used it as the Maxim gun in South Africa , was used in other Colonial areas as well , in WW1 it was used as a light mountain gun , and eventualll saw use as an aircraft mounted item - I think .Again , no textbook backup .

The round was available as a solid projectile , high explosive - in various configuration , and also as a flak round.

Made by a variety of manufacturers , it isnt uncommon to find a case that hase been reloaded several times , the earlier headstamp bunter markings are crossed out and new ones stamped to designate current loading .Actually a verry interesting cartridge with a long history .

I beleive that the original Hotchkiss gun, was a five barrel revolving cannon. Think Gatling Gun on steroids. The movie Rough Riders, has a sceine with the Hotchkiss gun in action, the only film I know of with this gun in it.

Hog Killer