Description
WWII U.S. Navy 40mm Bofors L/60 Wooden Mk 1 Dummy Drill Round
This inert World War II U.S. Navy 40mm Bofors L/60 drill round is a complete cartridge-shaped training item, not an empty cartridge case. Its wooden Mk 1 dummy construction reproduced the form of service ammunition so gun crews could practice ammunition handling and loading without using a live round. These are quite rare to find today, and this wooden Mk1 drill round is the only example we've had in the past 30 years. Only one available, so you will be receiving the exact one shown in the photos.
Identification and Features
This item is identified as a U.S. Navy 40mm Dummy Cartridge Mk 1 for the Bofors-type L/60 antiaircraft gun. It represents a full round with the cartridge-case and projectile profiles formed as one inert training assembly.
- Service: U.S. Navy
- Era: World War II
- Model: Dummy Cartridge Mk 1
- Caliber: 40mm Bofors L/60
- Construction: Wooden drill-round body
- Configuration: Complete cartridge form, not an empty case
- Purpose: Ammunition-handling and loading drill
- Status: Inert and non-firing
Function and Training Use
The wooden dummy cartridge allowed sailors to repeat loading and handling procedures without a live primer, propellant, fuze, or explosive projectile. U.S. Navy instructions directed loaders to push a full four-round clip into the gun’s loader until a cartridge dropped onto the rammer tray. An inert drill round helped crews learn this sequence, practice unloading, and become familiar with the ammunition’s size and shape.
Documented End-Item Application
This Mk 1 dummy cartridge represents ammunition used with the U.S. Navy 40mm antiaircraft gun derived from the Swedish Bofors design. Navy OP 820 describes paired left and right gun mechanisms used in twin installations, while the same basic 40mm weapon also equipped quadruple mounts. Service ammunition was fixed and supplied to the loader in four-round clips.
Mk 1 Dummy Cartridge History
Dummy ammunition was built for gun drill rather than live firing. The Mk 1 gave Navy personnel a reusable, non-explosive substitute for learning ammunition-handling procedures. Unlike a practice round made to be fired, this wooden drill cartridge was intended to remain with the training equipment and reproduce the handling form of a service round.
U.S. Navy 40mm Gun and Mount History
The U.S. Navy received a Swedish twin 40mm Bofors gun for testing in August 1940 and signed a manufacturing agreement in June 1941. The first shipboard installations entered service during the early summer of 1942. Navy versions were commonly installed in powered twin and quadruple mounts controlled locally or through gun directors.
Bofors L/60 Weapon-System Background
The recoil-operated Bofors L/60 filled the defense gap between the Navy’s lighter 20mm guns and its larger 3-inch and 5-inch antiaircraft weapons. OP 820 lists a maximum cyclic rate of about 160 rounds per minute for each gun mechanism. Continuous feeding by four-round clips allowed trained crews to keep the weapon firing during an air attack.
History of Use
During World War II, 40mm Bofors guns were installed aboard carriers, battleships, cruisers, destroyers, submarines, amphibious vessels, and many auxiliary ships. They defended ships against low-flying aircraft and late-war kamikaze attacks. The guns were also used against surface craft, shore positions, and exposed enemy personnel. Wooden drill cartridges supported the repeated training needed to operate these fast-firing weapons safely and efficiently.
Condition
This is an inert wooden dummy drill cartridge. It contains no live primer, propellant, fuze, or explosive projectile and is offered solely as a historical training and display item.
Ideal For
This original-style naval drill round is well suited to collections and displays focused on American naval gunnery, antiaircraft weapons, or World War II training equipment.
- World War II U.S. Navy ordnance collections
- 40mm Bofors gun and ammunition displays
- Naval museum and educational exhibits
- Inert cartridge and drill-round collections
- Historic ship and gun-mount displays
Approx length 17.5", Approx width 2.5", Approx height 2.5", Approx weight 4.7lbs.
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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