Description
U.S. Navy 6-Inch/47-Caliber Mark 34 High-Capacity Projectile with Mark 71 Fuze
Item Overview
This U.S. Navy 6-inch/47-caliber Mark 34 high-capacity projectile is fitted with a Mark 71 nose fuze. The Mark 34 was a 105-pound service projectile developed for the powerful 6-inch/47 Mark 16 naval gun. These guns formed the main batteries of many American light cruisers during World War II and remained important naval weapons during the Korean and Vietnam Wars. This large projectile is an impressive artifact for a naval artillery collection, museum exhibit, or historic military display.
Identification and Features
The Mark 34 was a high-capacity projectile with a hollow steel body designed to carry a larger explosive charge than an armor-piercing projectile of the same caliber. Its copper-alloy rotating band engaged the gun’s rifling, sealed propellant gases behind the projectile, and created the spin needed for stable flight. The “6-inch” designation identifies the gun’s approximate bore diameter, while “/47-caliber” means the gun’s bore was about 47 times as long as its diameter.
- Service: U.S. Navy
- Projectile designation: Mark 34
- Original service type: High capacity
- Caliber: 6 inch, approximately 152mm
- Original service-projectile weight: Approximately 105 pounds
- Fuze: Mark 71; exact Mod not specified
- Primary gun application: 6-inch/47-caliber Mark 16 and Mark 16 dual-purpose naval guns
- Ammunition system: Semi-fixed naval ammunition
- Condition: Unrestored military surplus
- Included: One Mark 34 projectile with Mark 71 fuze
Original Service Function
The live Mark 34 was designed to produce blast and fragmentation against shore positions, personnel, equipment, unarmored vessels, and lightly protected targets. Its high-capacity body provided more internal room for an explosive charge than the heavier Mark 35 armor-piercing projectile. Depending on the mission and fuze configuration, Mark 34 projectiles could support surface fire, shore bombardment, and antiaircraft fire. With a full service charge, the projectile had a reported muzzle velocity of approximately 2,665 feet per second and a maximum range of about 23,483 yards under specified firing conditions.
Mark 71 Fuze
The Mark 71 designation was used for a U.S. Navy projectile-fuze family produced in several Mod configurations. Different Mods did not all have the same internal design or method of operation. Some later Mark 71 versions were associated with radio-proximity applications, but a readable Mod number is required before the exact action and original configuration of this fuze can be stated.
Ammunition and Gun Applications
The Mark 34 was principally associated with the U.S. Navy 6-inch/47 Mark 16 and related Mark 16 dual-purpose guns. Mark 16 ammunition was semi-fixed, meaning the projectile and the metal case containing the propelling charge were handled and loaded as separate parts. Mark 16 guns armed Brooklyn, St. Louis, Cleveland, and Fargo-class light cruisers, while the higher-elevation dual-purpose version served aboard Worcester-class cruisers and the gunnery training ship USS Mississippi. A cartridge case, propelling charge, shipping container, gun, and other accessories are not included unless specifically stated.
Weapon System History
The Navy developed the 6-inch/47 Mark 16 during the early 1930s as a modern cruiser gun with greater striking power than earlier 6-inch weapons. Most installations placed three guns inside an armored turret. Brooklyn and St. Louis-class cruisers carried five triple turrets, while Cleveland and Fargo-class ships carried four. Projectiles and propelling-charge cases were stored below deck and moved into the turret by separate hoists. A trained crew could fire each gun several times per minute, giving a light cruiser a heavy and sustained volume of fire.
History of Use
The 6-inch/47 Mark 16 became one of the most important American light-cruiser weapons of World War II. Ships equipped with these guns fought enemy warships, defended carrier groups, attacked airfields and coastal defenses, and supported amphibious landings in the Mediterranean and Pacific. Cruisers retaining their 6-inch guns later provided naval gunfire support during the Korean War. Converted Cleveland-class cruisers also used their remaining 6-inch batteries against shore targets during the Vietnam War. The Mark 34 represents the high-capacity ammunition used for many of these surface and bombardment missions.
Unrestored Condition
This projectile is offered in unrestored condition. No restoration, repainting, refinishing, or repair work is represented unless specifically stated. Markings, finish, and surface condition may vary between examples. The information supplied for this listing does not confirm whether the projectile body or Mark 71 fuze is empty or inert, so this description makes no claim about their internal contents. Please check the pictures for the general condition of the item.
Display and Collection Value
A full-size Mark 34 projectile creates an impressive display because of its large size, recognizable naval profile, fitted fuze, and connection to several generations of U.S. Navy cruisers. Its unrestored presentation is especially appropriate for collections focused on original naval artifacts, shipboard ammunition, cruiser warfare, World War II, Korea, Vietnam, and the development of American naval firepower.
Ideal For
This Mark 34 projectile is well suited for established collections and exhibits where an original example of large-caliber U.S. naval ammunition is desired.
- U.S. Navy artillery collections
- 6-inch/47-caliber gun displays
- Brooklyn and Cleveland-class cruiser exhibits
- World War II naval collections
- Korean War and Vietnam War displays
- Military museums and educational exhibits
- Historic naval-ordnance collections
Approx length 18", Approx width 6", Approx height 6", Approx weight 85lbs.
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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