RAF 65 squadron 0.50 caliber headstamps

[Bergen]

In search for a lost Mustang from RAF 65 squadron we have found a 0.50 cailber shell which we suspect are from a mustang from this squadron.

Its stamped DM and 43 and has red tracer in the tip.

Are there anyone out there knowing what production batch was used in the 65th squadron ?






Last summer we located another Mustang from this squadron, more on that here:
http://forum.gaijinent.com/index.php...il-1945/page-5

[MW Giles]

Bergen

That is an unanswerable question. It's like asking which sheep gave the wool for the jumper I am wearing.

Ammunition would not go direct to a squadron, it would go to RAF depots and be distributed as needed. In a belt of ammo there would be different types of ammunition (incendiary, AP, tracer etc) which could come from different batches and possibly different factories.

If you are asking which factory made your bullet with stamp DM you may get a sensible answer.

You will need a crystal ball to answer the question as it is currently put

Regards

Martin

[donall]

DM would indicate Des Moines Ordnance Plant, Des Moines, Iowa.
43 would be the year 1943.

[Bergen]

Thank you both for your replies.


Then I know the year and the factory, thanks.

I know its a hopeless question, but maybe there was someone out there that had knowledge of 65th squadron and their armament.

No question asked, no answer given....

I guess I have to get some shells from the crash site from the other Mustang to compare if they have similar stamp.

[MW Giles]

The shell cases tell you two things

1. The plane they come from was fitted with 0.5 in guns
2. If the dates on the cases are all 43 or before then your plane crashed sometime in 43 or in the years afterwards

They do not tell you the squadron, they are not even definitive about what air force (apart from being Allied) the plane belonged to

If you find another casing with the same letters and date it does not mean the second aircraft came from the same squadron as the first, it just means the bullet came from the same factory in the same year. Given the expenditure of ammo by the air forces and armies they produced millions of rounds each year

Regards

Martin