Re: 50 cal Ammunition marking codes?

["Jack Baker" <jbak@peganet.com>]

----- Original Message -----
From: "Ed Evanhoe" <ede@oio.net>
To: <korean-war-l@UKANS.EDU>
Sent: Friday, February 11, 2000 7:49 PM
Subject: 50 cal Ammunition marking codes?


> A collector has come up with a round of 50-caliber ammunition with a
yellow
> nose.  Headstamp date is 1944.  If I remember correctly (and probably
> don't) this was API (Armor Piercing, Incendiary.)   Anyone know for sure?
>
> Ed Evanhoe, PO Box 916, Antlers, OK, 74523
> Author: DARKMOON: Eighth Army Special Operations in the Korean War
> Life Member:  Special Forces & Special Operations Associations
> Web Site:  http://www.korean-war.com
> Co-list owner: KOREAN-WAR-L (University of Kansas listproc)

> After considerable research & consultation, it has been determined that
YELLOW was not an official color code for Cal. 50 BMG ammunition, during, or
after, WW II. It was concluded that the subject cartridge had been prepared
for aerial gunnery training, by being dipped in printer's ink, of which
YELLOW was one of 7 available colors. The technical manual, TM
9-855/TO28-10-26, dtd Nov, 51, covering this specific activity, provides all
the details. The ammunition for the Cal. 50 Spotting Rifle for the 106mm
Recoiless Rifle did have yellow tips.. However, this type of cartridge would
NOT chamber in the Cal. 50 BMG & did not carry a 1944 headstamp, since it
was produced much later.
>
>