Cleaning/Inspecting Shell Cases
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- G-Sergeant
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Cleaning/Inspecting Shell Cases
Hey guys,
I have a question for the cannon shooters on the forum, how do you clean and inspect shell cases? I don't own any artillery but someday I would like to own a live, DD registered AT gun. To that end I tend to keep my eyes open for casings to see what is out there for various guns and what they cost.
I've noticed that most cases you see for sale fall into two categories, dented up and covered with verdigris or polished to a mirror shine... pretty much nothing else in between. This tells me that most of the shiny ones have already been cleaned up.... a quick look on a couple cartridge collectors forums shows people do some frightening things to clean up old cannon shell cases... naval jelly, sandpaper, heavy polishing, etc.
What do you look for when inspecting old cases? Pretty much all brass for cannon people in the US can legally own is 70-80 years old... I can't imagine much if any was stored properly over the years or in pristine condition. Other than the obvious things like cracks, what do you look for?
I recently picked a fairly crusty 75mm case at a gunshow cheap... my only intention was to clean it up to learn what to look for in an old case in the future. So far the only things I've used is a soft brass wheel on a bench grinder to knock of the heavy crud and some red scotchbrite and WD-40 by hand to polish the case. Under the corrosion I found a pink spot on the brass... which I know means some zinc has been leached out of the case. The copper scrubs off with scotchbrite to reveal normal brass with what looks like fine pitting that you can barely feel. I've also noticed that basically any discoloration on this case (black or green) leaves fine pitting on the brass below.
My question is this? If you had a live gun would you use this shell or toss it? Below are before and after pics.
I have a question for the cannon shooters on the forum, how do you clean and inspect shell cases? I don't own any artillery but someday I would like to own a live, DD registered AT gun. To that end I tend to keep my eyes open for casings to see what is out there for various guns and what they cost.
I've noticed that most cases you see for sale fall into two categories, dented up and covered with verdigris or polished to a mirror shine... pretty much nothing else in between. This tells me that most of the shiny ones have already been cleaned up.... a quick look on a couple cartridge collectors forums shows people do some frightening things to clean up old cannon shell cases... naval jelly, sandpaper, heavy polishing, etc.
What do you look for when inspecting old cases? Pretty much all brass for cannon people in the US can legally own is 70-80 years old... I can't imagine much if any was stored properly over the years or in pristine condition. Other than the obvious things like cracks, what do you look for?
I recently picked a fairly crusty 75mm case at a gunshow cheap... my only intention was to clean it up to learn what to look for in an old case in the future. So far the only things I've used is a soft brass wheel on a bench grinder to knock of the heavy crud and some red scotchbrite and WD-40 by hand to polish the case. Under the corrosion I found a pink spot on the brass... which I know means some zinc has been leached out of the case. The copper scrubs off with scotchbrite to reveal normal brass with what looks like fine pitting that you can barely feel. I've also noticed that basically any discoloration on this case (black or green) leaves fine pitting on the brass below.
My question is this? If you had a live gun would you use this shell or toss it? Below are before and after pics.
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- G-Lieutenant General
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Re: Cleaning/Inspecting Shell Cases
look for steel cases; they don't stretch and will reload and chamber (multiple times)...brass ones nearly always need resizing to work a second time. Try fitting what you buy in a gun chamber (if available). Don't fit - don't buy or give 1/2 or less on a bet you might be able to make it chamber... Small dents will be gone after first firing (if it chambers!!!!) Look for split necks from stretching.
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- lt.luke
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Re: Cleaning/Inspecting Shell Cases
Something on every case is useable. I once sold a truck bed load of CRUSHED 105mm cases to a guy & he was happy to get them.
He disassembled them and kept the striker out of the primer tube assembly & evaluated all other parts for spares.
The scrap yard was happy to offload them & he was happy because he has a lifetime supply of those tiny strikers.
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He disassembled them and kept the striker out of the primer tube assembly & evaluated all other parts for spares.
The scrap yard was happy to offload them & he was happy because he has a lifetime supply of those tiny strikers.
Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
Luke Sparks
MAJ (R), USA
GPW 12078 http://g503.com/forums/viewtopic.php?f=95&t=102532
https://www.homesteadersfinest.com/
MAJ (R), USA
GPW 12078 http://g503.com/forums/viewtopic.php?f=95&t=102532
https://www.homesteadersfinest.com/
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- Sergeant Major of the Gee
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Re: Cleaning/Inspecting Shell Cases
DDtrustee is on the mark with the steel cases. It is difficult to provide solid advice because you do not actually have a piece, so a bunch depends on the details of the type and caliber of arty. If you had a U.S. 105mm, I would suggest steel cases and would also direct you to check scrap yards in the vicinity of reserve/national guard run military posts. I was at an annual training one year at an Army Reserve run military post. All of the brass generated by the artillery unit was taken to a scrap yard after being accounted for. The other cool part of this event was that all of the ammo was 1947 dated. I brought home a bunch of 105mm packing material and cases that are basically WWII. I brought home about ten cases or so. The unit fired hundreds of rounds. The remaining packing material went in the trash while the brass cases went to a local scrap yard.
Also think about the material that you are cleaning up. There are products that are made and designed to clean what you have. I use Brasso to clean materials made of brass. You really are doing no harm collecting shell cases in any caliber. I just would not waste money on cases that you may never use. I would decide what cannon floats my boat and concentrate on getting those cases and eventually the cannon. I also have the problem of having a spouse that gets pretty pissed every time I bring a new military related item home. You should have felt the tension when I parked my 105mm Howitzer in my front yard. I slept with one eye open for that week. Well, good luck with the Aquisition. I hope I have been of some help.
Also think about the material that you are cleaning up. There are products that are made and designed to clean what you have. I use Brasso to clean materials made of brass. You really are doing no harm collecting shell cases in any caliber. I just would not waste money on cases that you may never use. I would decide what cannon floats my boat and concentrate on getting those cases and eventually the cannon. I also have the problem of having a spouse that gets pretty pissed every time I bring a new military related item home. You should have felt the tension when I parked my 105mm Howitzer in my front yard. I slept with one eye open for that week. Well, good luck with the Aquisition. I hope I have been of some help.
- W. Winget
- LTC, U.S. Army
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Re: Cleaning/Inspecting Shell Cases
I look for cracks and splitting. Its sole mission is to safely hold the powder and seal the back end of the breech when fired, so I do not want any splits, pinholes, cracks in the casing, and then a proper neck to hold the projectile. Everything else can be overcome.
Yours looks fine.
V/R W Winget
Yours looks fine.
V/R W Winget
Looking for 1918 Standard B 'Liberty' truck parts
- waterdawg2004
- Sergeant Major of the Gee
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Re: Cleaning/Inspecting Shell Cases
I have tried various methods, see my post on this forum.
viewtopic.php?t=285715
I have settled with red scotch brite pads on the outside, brown ones are too rough and leave scratches, green ones do not work.
I sand blast lightly the inside.
Fire forming works if the brass will chamber, otherwise you have to buy a die set to resize brass, sometimes it is only the mouth which you can squeeze down with a pipe clamp.
I shoot 25mm and 37mm. Both are available in quantity(at $50 to $100 each) on the internet, but you have to look and it takes time, like years, to find them. My suggestion is to buy from someone that shoots and has brass already.
viewtopic.php?t=285715
I have settled with red scotch brite pads on the outside, brown ones are too rough and leave scratches, green ones do not work.
I sand blast lightly the inside.
Fire forming works if the brass will chamber, otherwise you have to buy a die set to resize brass, sometimes it is only the mouth which you can squeeze down with a pipe clamp.
I shoot 25mm and 37mm. Both are available in quantity(at $50 to $100 each) on the internet, but you have to look and it takes time, like years, to find them. My suggestion is to buy from someone that shoots and has brass already.
1944 MB Jeep
37mm Gun, Antitank, M3A1 USA
French 25mm SA.L Model 1937
Replica Kubelwagen from VW Thing
37mm Gun, Antitank, M3A1 USA
French 25mm SA.L Model 1937
Replica Kubelwagen from VW Thing
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- G-First Sergeant
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Re: Cleaning/Inspecting Shell Cases
Who sells dies?
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- G-Second Lieutenant
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Re: Cleaning/Inspecting Shell Cases
I have made many 37mm reloading die sets for folks over the years. I have also made dies for reforming shell cases up to 88mm in size.
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- G-Sergeant
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Re: Cleaning/Inspecting Shell Cases
Thank for the replies, guys.
I'll take a look at steel cases... which for the most part I've always avoided for one reason... rust. I've never seen an old, fired steel case that wasn't rusty inside from corrosive primers.
Quick question on brass cases... after getting them cleaned up... what is the best way to protect them? I was thinking some kind of wax (like paste wax) but I wouldn't want to use something them makes them sticky when fired.
I'll take a look at steel cases... which for the most part I've always avoided for one reason... rust. I've never seen an old, fired steel case that wasn't rusty inside from corrosive primers.
Quick question on brass cases... after getting them cleaned up... what is the best way to protect them? I was thinking some kind of wax (like paste wax) but I wouldn't want to use something them makes them sticky when fired.
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- G-General
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Re: Cleaning/Inspecting Shell Cases
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