Description
Restored Inert U.S. Navy 16-Inch Mark 14 High-Capacity Projectile for Mark 6 and Mark 7 Guns
Item Overview
This restored, inert U.S. Navy 16-inch Mark 14 high-capacity projectile represents one of the largest conventional naval artillery shells placed in American service. The Mark 14 was made for the 16-inch/45-caliber Mark 6 and 16-inch/50-caliber Mark 7 naval guns carried by several classes of U.S. battleships. This display projectile is empty and contains no explosive filling, working fuze, booster, tracer, propellant, or other energetic material. Its immense size makes it an impressive centerpiece for a museum, military collection, veterans organization, or large historical display.
Identification and Features
The Mark 14 was the alternate-production version of the 16-inch Mark 13 high-capacity projectile. The two projectiles shared the same dimensions, weight, ballistic form, explosive capacity, and service function. The separate Mark 14 designation identified production by a manufacturer other than the Naval Gun Factory and did not indicate a different combat role. Original high-capacity projectiles had green bodies, while yellow nose markings identified an Explosive D filling. Because this example has been restored, its present finish and markings may not be original.
- Country of origin: United States
- Service branch: U.S. Navy
- Projectile designation: Mark 14
- Original service type: High Capacity, commonly abbreviated HC
- Caliber: 16 inches or 406mm
- Gun applications: 16-inch/45 Mark 6 and 16-inch/50 Mark 7
- Original loaded weight: Approximately 1,900 pounds
- Original explosive filling: Approximately 153.6 pounds of Explosive D
- Original loaded length: Approximately 64 inches with a nose fuze
- Body diameter: Approximately 15.977 inches
- Ammunition type: Separate-loading naval ammunition using bagged propellant
- Offered condition: Restored and completely inert
Original Service Function
The live Mark 14 was designed to attack shore positions, buildings, field defenses, concrete structures, lightly armored targets, and surface vessels. Its larger explosive cavity produced greater blast and fragmentation than the heavier Mark 8 armor-piercing projectile. The steel body was still strong enough to pass through light armor or heavy construction before bursting when fitted with a delayed-action fuze. Original projectiles could use nose and base fuze arrangements selected for the mission. Period options included Mark 29 point-detonating nose fuzes, Mark 42 or Mark 62 mechanical time fuzes, and Mark 28, Mark 39, or Mark 48 base fuzes. Projectiles were also commonly issued with a steel nose plug until the required fuze was installed aboard ship.
Ammunition and Loading System
The Mark 14 was not part of a fixed cartridge and was never joined to a metal cartridge case. Inside the turret, the projectile was moved from its storage flat by large hoists and placed on the loading tray. A powered rammer pushed it into the gun chamber. Separate silk bags of smokeless propellant were then loaded behind it, and a primer was placed in the breech mechanism. A wide copper rotating band near the base engaged the gun’s rifling, sealed propellant gases, and gave the projectile stabilizing spin. The Mark 6 and Mark 7 guns could fire about two rounds per minute under favorable conditions, requiring a large crew and carefully coordinated machinery.
Mark 6 Gun Applications
The 16-inch/45-caliber Mark 6 entered service in 1941. It armed the North Carolina-class battleships USS North Carolina and USS Washington and the South Dakota-class battleships USS South Dakota, USS Indiana, USS Massachusetts, and USS Alabama. Each ship carried nine guns in three triple turrets. Mark 6 guns fought in major World War II actions, including the Naval Battle of Guadalcanal and the fighting off Casablanca. They also supported amphibious operations and attacked Japanese shore installations across the Pacific. The “45-caliber” description means that the gun barrel was approximately 45 times the 16-inch bore diameter; it does not describe the projectile’s diameter.
Mark 7 Gun Applications
The longer 16-inch/50-caliber Mark 7 entered service in 1943 and armed the four completed Iowa-class battleships: USS Iowa, USS New Jersey, USS Missouri, and USS Wisconsin. These ships also carried nine guns in three triple turrets. The Mark 7 could fire a 1,900-pound high-capacity projectile at a higher velocity than the Mark 6. Its advanced fire-control equipment allowed accurate naval gunfire at long range. The Mark 7 remained in service through the Iowa-class battleships’ final active period, making it one of the longest-serving large naval guns in American history.
Historical Background and Use
The Mark 13 high-capacity projectile began as the experimental 16-inch EX-1 and entered service during World War II. The Mark 14 was the same proven design made under a different production designation. The broader Mark 13 and Mark 14 family supplied battleships with a powerful alternative to armor-piercing ammunition. Mark 6 guns used high-capacity projectiles during World War II shore bombardments in the Pacific. Mark 7 guns supported operations during World War II, the Korean War, the Vietnam War, the 1983–1984 Lebanon deployment, and the 1991 Gulf War. USS New Jersey used 16-inch high-capacity ammunition extensively against targets in Vietnam, while USS Missouri and USS Wisconsin fired 16-inch ammunition during Operation Desert Storm. The exact projectile mark used on an individual mission depended on the ammunition available aboard the ship.
Restoration and Condition
This is a restored, inert surplus projectile intended only for collection and display. Its surface may show repaired areas, filled demilitarization openings, old corrosion, pitting, dents, handling marks, renewed paint, replacement markings, or other evidence of age and restoration. It contains no original explosive charge or functioning initiation components and cannot be fired. This listing is for the projectile display assembly only. A gun, turret, fuze components, propellant bags, primer, loading cradle, and handling equipment are not included unless specifically stated. Because of its size and weight, specialized handling equipment and commercial freight service may be required. Please check the pictures for the general condition of the item.
Ideal For
This massive projectile is a rare display item connected with the most powerful battleship guns operated by the United States Navy. It is well suited for permanent exhibits where its scale, restored appearance, and long service history can be properly displayed.
- U.S. Navy and naval-artillery collections
- World War II, Korean War, and Vietnam War exhibits
- Iowa-class battleship displays
- North Carolina-class and South Dakota-class exhibits
- Military museums and veterans organizations
- Naval gunfire and ammunition displays
- Large private collections and historical installations
Approx length 64", Approx width 16", Approx height 16", Approx weight 1,750 lbs. As always, the purchase price you see includes professional packaging, all packing material costs, as well as the insured shipping of the crated projectile to your home or business anywhere within the contiguous USA!
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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