Description
25mm Oerlikon Armor-Piercing Discarding-Sabot Round with Steel Case
Item Overview
This 25mm Oerlikon Armor-Piercing Discarding-Sabot round features a green-painted steel cartridge case, black segmented sabot assembly, and pointed projectile nose. It represents the 25×137mm ammunition family developed for high-velocity automatic cannons. The distinctive design makes it an excellent addition to a medium-caliber ammunition collection or military display.
Identification and Features
Caliber: 25×137mm
Manufacturer family: Oerlikon
Projectile type: Armor-Piercing Discarding Sabot
Abbreviation: APDS
Case material: Steel
Case finish: Green paint
Projectile configuration: Pointed nose with black segmented sabot
Associated weapon family: Oerlikon KBA 25mm automatic cannon
Original purpose: Engaging lightly armored vehicles and protected equipment
How It Worked
An APDS projectile placed a narrow armor-piercing penetrator inside a lightweight sabot that matched the gun’s 25mm bore. The sabot allowed the smaller penetrator to be launched at high velocity while remaining properly centered inside the barrel. After the projectile left the muzzle, the sabot sections separated and fell away while the penetrator continued toward the target. The penetrator defeated armor through concentrated kinetic energy rather than an explosive bursting charge.
Historical Background
The 25×137mm cartridge began with automatic-cannon development during the 1960s. Oerlikon continued work on the gun and ammunition system after acquiring European rights to the original TRW 6425 design in 1967, leading to the Oerlikon KBA cannon during the early 1970s. The cartridge size became a widely used NATO standard for armored vehicles, naval mounts, and air-defense systems. APDS ammunition gave these compact cannons greater velocity and armor penetration than conventional full-caliber projectiles.
Visible Configuration
The photographed round has a green-painted steel case and a black sabot assembly with openings around the pointed projectile nose. The green finish describes this specimen’s visible appearance and should not be treated as a universal ammunition color code. No exact model number or tracer designation has been assigned because those details must be confirmed from the individual round’s markings and construction.
Condition
This military-surplus round may show scratches, paint loss, dents, discoloration, oxidation, handling marks, or other evidence of age and storage. The green case finish and black projectile assembly may vary slightly between inventory examples. The cannon, ammunition belt, links, packaging, and other accessories are not included unless specifically pictured or stated.
Ideal For
This 25mm round is well suited for Oerlikon ammunition collections, automatic-cannon displays, armored-vehicle exhibits, military museums, ordnance identification displays, and historical ammunition research.
Approx length 9", Approx width 1.5", Approx height 1.5", Approx weight lbs.
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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