105mm M326 High Explosive Plastic Tracer Round
$425.00
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105mm M326 High Explosive Plastic Tracer Round
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Add an early Cold War recoilless rifle classic to your collection with this restored 105mm M326 High Explosive Plastic Tracer (HEP-T) round, built around a genuine 105mm T139E45 HEP-T projectile. Professionally refinished with period-correct paint and stenciling, this inert cartridge recreates the look of a live M326 warshot while remaining completely safe for display.
The 105mm M326 HEP-T – Early HESH for Recoilless Rifles
The 105mm M326 HEP-T cartridge was part of the ammunition family developed for the U.S. 105mm recoilless rifle program, including the M27/M27A1 105mm recoilless rifle and the later “106mm” M40 recoilless rifle (actually a 105mm weapon with different case dimensions).
Within this family, the M326 served as the High Explosive Plastic – Tracer (HEP-T) load, complementing other rounds such as:
- M323 HE
- M324 HEAT-T
- M325 WP smoke
- M341 HEAT
HEP (High Explosive Plastic), also known as HESH – High Explosive Squash Head, works differently from conventional HE: a plasticized explosive filling “squashes” against the target surface before detonation, sending a shock wave through armor or concrete that causes spalling on the inside, showering fragments into the crew compartment or protected space. This made HEP/HESH rounds excellent dual-role ammunition against light armor, bunkers, and reinforced structures.
Because of its role and ballistics, the M326 HEP-T was an early example of a recoilless rifle squash-head round—described even in collector circles as “a bit secret” in its day and a forerunner to later 105mm HEP/HESH designs like the M393 tank round.
The 105mm T139E45 Projectile
At the heart of the M326 cartridge is the T139E45 HEP-T projectile, a thin-walled steel body with a rounded HEP/HESH nose profile, rotating band, and internal cavity originally designed for plastic explosive and tracer assembly. Variants of this projectile family (T139E45 / T139E47) were used with both 105mm and “106mm” recoilless rifles, giving infantry and anti-tank teams a powerful multi-purpose round.
Your restored round uses an original T139E45 projectile, not a modern reproduction, giving you correct geometry, weight, and surface detail for a serious display piece.
About This Specific Round
- Genuine Components
- Real 105mm T139E45 HEP-T projectile, professionally restored
- Restored M32 105mm recoilless casing
- Restored M326 HEP-T Appearance
- Repainted in period-appropriate colors with stenciling patterned after U.S. 105mm recoilless HEP-T markings
- Inert & Safe for Display
- No explosive filler, no propellant, no live tracer, no fuze
- Empty casing and projectile;
- This is a non-functional display round only and cannot be fired or made operational
Visually, this piece reads as a live M326 warshot; in reality, it is an inert, collector-grade restoration suitable for museums, public displays, and private collections.
Collector Data – NSN / NIIN / DODIC (Reference Only)
U.S. Army ammunition logistics records list the 105mm M326 HEP-T cartridges under DODIC C498. The HEP-T variant appears as:
- Nomenclature: CARTRIDGE, 105MM HEP-T, M326
- NSN: 1315-00-028-4820
- NIIN: 000284820
- DODIC: C498
- DODAC: 1315-C498
Ideal For
- Recoilless rifle displays (105mm M27)
- Cold War and Korean War collections focusing on infantry anti-armor weapons
- Museum exhibits explaining HEP/HESH technology and recoilless rifle employment
- Ordnance collectors seeking an accurate, early U.S. HEP-T recoilless round
This restored 105mm M326 HEP-T round with T139E45 projectile brings together authentic U.S. recoilless hardware, historically correct appearance, and inert safety—an outstanding centerpiece for any serious artillery or anti-tank collection.
Approx length 38", Approx width 5", Approx height 5", Approx weight 16lbs.
Pictures are stock images of our inventory. Unless otherwise noted, you will not be receiving the exact item shown in the pictures. The pictures are representative of the item's general condition. The item you receive might be slightly better, or worse, condition than was shown in the pictures.
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