Description
25mm Oerlikon Target Practice Round
Item Overview
This 25mm Oerlikon Target Practice round features a blue-painted projectile and green-painted steel cartridge case. It represents the 25×137mm training-ammunition family used with automatic cannons such as the Oerlikon KBA. The blue projectile provided a clear visual difference between target-practice ammunition and combat cartridges.
Identification and Features
Caliber: 25×137mm
Manufacturer family: Oerlikon
Cartridge type: Target Practice
Projectile color: Blue
Case material: Steel
Case finish: Green paint
Visible case marking: MB 2691
Associated weapon family: Oerlikon KBA 25mm automatic cannon
Original purpose: Gunnery training, weapon testing, and cannon-system operation
Training Use
Target-practice ammunition allowed crews to train without using more costly combat projectiles. These cartridges were designed to provide realistic gun operation, recoil, feeding, and flight performance while using a non-explosive projectile. Depending on the exact model, a practice round could be plain TP or include a tracer and carry the designation TP-T. No tracer designation has been assigned to this example because it cannot be confirmed from the visible markings.
Historical Background
The 25×137mm cartridge began with automatic-cannon development during the 1960s. Oerlikon continued work on the system after acquiring European rights to the original TRW 6425 cannon design in 1967, leading to the Oerlikon KBA during the early 1970s. The cartridge size later became widely used in armored-vehicle, naval, and air-defense systems. Target-practice ammunition was an important part of this system because crews needed regular training in loading, aiming, firing, and maintaining the cannon.
Markings and Configuration
The photographed case is marked “MB 2691,” while the blue projectile carries additional faded white markings. These markings may relate to the manufacturer, lot, drawing, or assembly, but their exact meaning has not been confirmed. The visible markings should not be treated as an official cartridge designation without supporting packaging or headstamp information.
Condition
This military-surplus round may show scratches, paint loss, staining, surface oxidation, faded markings, discoloration, or other evidence of handling and storage. The blue projectile and green steel case may vary slightly in appearance 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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