Description
25mm M793 Target Practice-Tracer with Black Lettering
Item Overview
This 25mm M793 Target Practice-Tracer round is distinguished by its blue projectile and black lettering. The M793 was developed as the training substitute for the M792 High-Explosive Incendiary-Tracer service cartridge used in the M242 25mm automatic cannon. It provided realistic ammunition feeding, recoil, flight performance, and tracer observation without an explosive projectile filling.
Identification and Features
Official designation: Cartridge, 25mm, Target Practice-Tracer, M793
Abbreviation: TP-T
Caliber: 25×137mm
DODAC: 1305-A976
Projectile: Hollow two-piece steel body
Projectile color: Blue
Lettering color: Black
Cartridge case: Steel
Tracer: Pressed-in tracer pellets
Explosive projectile filling: None
Fuze: None
Primer originally specified: M115 percussion primer
Official complete-round length: 8.63" (219mm)
Official complete-round weight: 1.11 lbs.
Weapon application: M242 25mm automatic cannon
Black Lettering Variation
This example has black lettering instead of the white projectile markings listed in the standard U.S. Army technical data for the M793. The difference may relate to a particular manufacturer, production lot, contract, or later marking, but the exact reason cannot be confirmed without complete lot and manufacturer information. The black lettering makes this a distinct variation for an advanced 25mm ammunition collection.
How It Worked
The original service cartridge used a steel case containing a percussion primer, booster pellet, and propellant. When fired, the projectile followed a flight pattern similar to the M792 service round while its tracer created a visible path for aiming and observation. Unlike the M792, the M793 projectile contained no high-explosive or incendiary filling and remained inert upon impact apart from its tracer composition.
Training Use
The M793 was intended for crew training, gun testing, and weapon-system function checks. Its matching external shape and similar ballistic performance allowed the ammunition belt, feed system, and cannon to operate under realistic conditions. Tracer observation helped crews evaluate aim, burst placement, and corrections during live-fire exercises.
Historical Background
The M793 entered service with the 25×137mm ammunition family used by the M242 Bushmaster cannon. The M242 became the main gun of the U.S. Army’s M2 and M3 Bradley vehicles and was also used in systems such as the Marine Corps LAV-25 and Navy Mk 38 gun mount. The M793 served as the training companion to the M792 HEI-T during the widespread adoption of these weapon systems beginning in the 1980s.
Condition
This military-surplus round may show scratches, blue paint loss, faded or worn black lettering, discoloration, oxidation, dents, staining, or other signs of handling and storage. Markings and finish may vary slightly between inventory examples. The M242 cannon, ammunition belt, links, packaging, and other accessories are not included unless specifically pictured or stated.
Ideal For
This M793 is well suited for 25mm ammunition collections, M242 Bushmaster displays, Bradley and LAV-25 exhibits, military museums, automatic-cannon displays, and ordnance identification sets.
Approx length 9", Approx width 1.5", Approx height 1.5", Approx weight 0.9lbs.
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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