Description
26mm Colt Experimental Cartridge Case with Screw-In Primer
Item Overview
This original 26mm Colt experimental cartridge case was developed during a U.S. Army search for a new medium-caliber vehicle weapon system. It features a removable screw-in primer assembly rather than a standard permanently seated primer. The case represents a Colt design that competed against several experimental cartridges during the late 1960s and early 1970s.
Identification and Features
Item type: Experimental cannon cartridge case
Caliber: 26mm
Associated developer: Colt
Associated cartridge family: Colt 26mm experimental ammunition
Common collector designation: 26x130mm Colt CR-26
Primer configuration: Removable screw-in primer
Development period: Late 1960s to early 1970s
Projectile: Not included
Standardized service status: Experimental and not adopted
Screw-In Primer Design
The threaded primer assembly is a distinctive experimental feature built into the case head. It allowed the primer component to be installed or removed separately during development, testing, or examination. The exact primer type and reason for using the threaded arrangement cannot be confirmed without a matching Colt drawing or test report.
Vehicle Rapid Fire Weapon System Program
The U.S. Army established the Vehicle Rapid Fire Weapon System requirement during the early 1960s while seeking a more capable replacement for the unreliable 20mm M139 cannon. Colt answered the requirement with a 26mm cartridge design. Other companies submitted competing cartridges in 25mm and 27.5mm calibers.
Historical Background
A 1984 U.S. Air Force history of automatic-cannon ammunition documents Colt’s 26mm entry and illustrates both steel and aluminum cartridge cases. The steel example was dated 1969 and appeared to have been made by Oerlikon, while the aluminum version was produced by General Impact Extrusions of Canada. The Army ultimately selected the competing 25mm Oerlikon cartridge and paired it with the Hughes Chain Gun design that became the M242 Bushmaster, leaving Colt’s 26mm system at the experimental stage.
Condition
This experimental military-surplus case may show scratches, finish wear, oxidation, staining, residue, tool marks, and other signs of testing, handling, or storage. The screw-in primer may show wear from installation or removal. Its active, fired, or demilitarized status is not established unless specifically stated on the product page.
Ideal For
This case is well suited for Colt development collections, experimental-ammunition displays, automatic-cannon research, armored-vehicle exhibits, museums, and cartridge study. This listing is for one 26mm experimental casing with screw-in primer only; a projectile, propellant, cannon, ammunition link, and other components are not included unless specifically pictured or stated.
Approx length 5", Approx width 1.5", Approx height 1.5", Approx weight 0.4lbs.
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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