German 10.5 cm l.F.H. 18 Shell (F.H.Gr. 18 Stg.)Italian H.E. Hand Grenade OTO Model 35
HANDBOOK OF ENEMY AMMUNITION
PAMPHLET No. 10
GERMAN, ITALIAN AND JAPANESE AMMUNITION
ITALIAN PROPELLANTS
Nomenclature and Markings

There does not seem to be any rigid system of marking employed for Italian propellants. The markings which have been encountered may be divided into two groups, those inva-riable appearing and those appearing only intermittently. In the first group are included:–

(i) The calibre and length (in calibers) of the weapon.
(ii) Charge weight in grams or kilograms and propellant size in millimeters.
These may be the only markings found.
In the second group are included:–
(i) The nature of propellant sometimes in full, sometimes abbreviated.
(ii)

A number, usually of seven figures, presumably a lot number and the date.

(iii)

Subsidiary markings such as contract numbers, manufacturers' marks, state and manufacturers' inspection marks. These appear variously on propellant bags, cart-ridge cases, or paper slips stuck to or merely inserted in the cartridges.

Comparatively few rounds which have been examined bear complete sets of markings.

Composition

The composition of the propellants examined shows no outstanding features. There ap-pear to be only three types in service:–

(i)

A straight ballistite (Ballistite or Bal.) containing about 50 per cent. nitorcellulose (Nitrogen 12.2 per cent) and 50 per cent. nitroglycerine without stabilizer.

(ii)

A modified ballistite (Ballistite Attenuate or Bal. Att.) containing 60 per cent. nitro-cellulose (Nitrogen 12.6 - 12.8 per cent.), 26 per cent. nitroglycerine and 14 per cent. dinitrotoluene as a moderant coating.

(iii)

The so-called "Italian Cordite" which usually bears no markings other than the wea-pon and propellant size. This contains about 72 per cent. nitrocellulose (Nitrogen 12.8 per cent.), 24 per cent. nitroglycerine and 4 per cent. mineral jelly. In addition this type of propellant has been found to contain sodium carbonate or bicarbonate presumably as an additional stabilizer.

In some cases bags containing chloride have been found included in the charges presum-ably as a flash reducing agent.

Shape

Shapes encountered have been flat strip, cord, square flake, and tubular cord.

Examples
The following are examples of markings examined:–
(i)

65/17 Bal. 1 x 10 x 10 gr. 160 – i.e. Ballistite for the 65 mm. 17 calibre gun in flake form size 1 mm. x 10 mm. x 10 mm. The charge weight being 160 grams.

(ii)

BALLISTITE ATTENUATE IN PIASTRINE – 1 x 10 x 220 DAYS CKA VI grs 570, i.e. a charge of 570 grams of "Ballistite Attenuata" in strip form 1 mm. x 10 mm. x 220 mm. for the 75 mm gun.

(iii)

Typical of Italian practice for multi-part charges are the following markings found on the Q.F. separate cartridge for the 75 mm. 28 calibre gun/how.

  1 Elem. Fondamen 77/28
1.5 x 15 x 15 kg. 0,224
i.e. lowest charge for the 77/28 gun/how.
  2 Elem. Agguintivo da 77
gr. 184
1.5 x 15 x 15
i.e. Incremental charges for the 77/ 28 gun/how.
  3 Elem. Agguinitivo da 77
gr. 88
1.5 x 15 x 15
 

It will be noted (in this example) that the nature of the propellant is not given.

German 10.5 cm l.F.H. 18 Shell (F.H.Gr. 18 Stg.)Italian H.E. Hand Grenade OTO Model 35