The following is from the International Cartridge Collector. No. 289-290 (Jan-Feb 1980) p.4 SQUAD AUTOMATIC WEAPON (SAW) CARTRIDGE DEVELOPMENT AT FRANKFORD ARSENAL (1971-1972) COMPILED BY WOODIN LABORATORY During July 1971 a computerized parametric design...
6 X 39 SOUTH AFRICAN XPL
During the mid 1970's South Africa did some developments regarding smaller caliber ammunition. A lot of these experiments were based on the 7.62x39 case. This project involved the case being necked down to 6mm. Cases used were by Russian Factory 270 which is the...
9.53mm MULTIPLE FLECHETTE CARTRIDGE
This was a Winchester development contract for a design study of a multiple flechette rifle system from Frankford Arsenal during 1968. Winchester had already done in-house ballistic studies during 1962 with a 10mm case version based on modified 30-06 cases and used...
6 X 35mm TSWG
TSWG = Technical Support Working Group. The Knight's Armament Company 6×35mm PDW is an experimental personal defense weapon designed by Knight's Armament Company (KAC), firing a 6mm cartridge optimized for short barrel weapons. As with all personal...
9.5 X 60R TURKISH MAUSER
The latter part of the 19th Century was one of profound political change throughout Europe and it had a direct impact on military decision making. One must remember that it was an era before mass communication on the one hand and giant technological strides being made...
9.3 X 64 KALTMANN
This was in all probability used for ballistic testing for the 9mm Kaltmann. Bullet shown here at 400% view. The opaque sabot is fixed to...
9.3 X 59R KOEFFLER
From an older IAA Forum post: - These are calibre reduction experimentals for a Remington breech-loading rifle proposed by a Danish designer whose correct name apparently is Adolph Keifler, but also written as “Koifler”, “Koiffler” and “Koeffler”....
9,1 X 34 LAPUA POLICE
This was a Finnish development from the late 1990’s when a specialised unit from the Finnish Police called the Bear Gang (“Karhukopla”) contracted with Lapua for the development of a specialised carbine for short-range urban SWAT type use. The parameters...
9 X 99 FRENCH XPL
This was part of a ballistic study done by France based on the 50 Browning case.
9 X 90 HECKLER & KOCH
This was the second long range sniper development after the 9 x 77mm did not meet the criteria set by H&K. These cartridges were also manufactured by MEN and were based on the 50 Browning case but ultimately the project did not meet the design standards and was...
9 X 85 HECKLER & KOCH
This was the third and final case design (after the 9 x 77 and 9 x 90) before the project was cancelled in the mid 1990’s. It was developed for the German Police and Army as a long-range tactical sniper round with anti-material capabilities and was originally designed...
9 X 77 HECKLER & KOCH XPL
During the late 80’s, the German firm of Heckler & Koch started work on a long-range sniper rifle/cartridge. The design was based on a 9mm bullet of 22g (340 grain) and a muzzle velocity of 1,050 m/s (3,400 fps) from a semi-auto rifle. Initial work was done by...
9 X 69 SP-14 RUSSIAN SNIPER XPL
This is a Russian variation of the .338 LAPUA, this one being necked up to 9mm, the other version is a 7,62mm (similiar to the 300 LAPUA MAGNUM). It was developed by TSNII TochMash supposedly around 2003 for the SP-14 (СП-14) heavy sniper rifle.
9 X 66 FRENCH MAS XPL
This was a French experimental cartridge in the period between the 1st and 2nd World Wars. The French experimented with various infantry and anti-aircraft designs ranging from 9 – 14mm. During the 1930’s they developed a 9mm cartridge as an anti-tank, anti-personnel,...
9 X 56R HEBLER
This is believed to be one of the calibre reduction experiments carried out by Swiss Professor Friedrich Wilhelm Hebler (1844-1932) who was a mechanical engineer from Bern, Switzerland but spent most of his time in Austria. In collaboration with Karel Krnka, he...
9 X 51 SMAW
This was a British designed aiming device for the multi-use Shoulder Mounted Attack Weapon (SMAW) that was fired from a specialised spotting rifle positioned to the side of the rocket launcher. A standard 7.62 NATO case was used that was necked up to 9mm with a...
9 X 41 LAHTI L-51
The 9x41 Lahti was a final development by Amio Lahti during the late 1950’s after he had already retired from the VKT (Valtion Kivääritehdas = State Rifle Factory). During 1943 there were serious issues between him and the VKT management. The Finnish Army Ordnance...
5.7 X 31 AUTOFRETTAGE
5.7 X 28 P-90
The FN 5.7×28mm is a small-caliber, high-velocity cartridge designed and manufactured by FN Herstal in Belgium. It is a bottlenecked centerfire cartridge that is somewhat similar to the .22 Hornet or .22 K-Hornet. The 5.7×28mm was developed in conjunction with the FN...
9 X 40 LILJA
The 9x40 Lilja was developed by Erkki Lilja, who was a close colleague of Amio Lahti. He did his own research and development of an assault-rifle type weapon during 1943 and built his own prototype at VKT (Valtion Kivääritehdas = State Rifle Factory), the same place...
5.7mm MMJ JOHNSON SPITFIRE
Designed by Melvin M. Johnson of Johnson Guns Inc. for their conversion of the M1 carbine and was introduced in 1963. It was based on the .30 carbine necked-down to .22 (5.7mm) and also known as the 22 Spitfire. The cartridge below matches the specs on the diagram, so...
9 X 40 D. E. F. A
This was one of various assault rifle experimentals based on the 7.62 NATO by the French Direction des Études et Fabrications d’Armament (D.E.F.A) during the late 1950’s.
5.6mm TROUND FLECHETTE
The 5.6mm SPIW Tround cartridges were developed by Harrington & Richardson, Inc and invented by David A. Dardick. Original loading was 3 10gr. flechettes. This specimen is in all probability a dummy load with three solid copper round nose bullets that replaced the...
5.6 X 48 EIGER EXPERIMENTAL
Not much is known about this cartridge at the moment. You will see a variety of shoulder variations on these and additional info will be added later ...
5.6 X 40 FLECHETTE
5.6 X 39 SWEDISH EXPERIMENTAL
Swedish experimental cartridge. Resembles the 220 Russian.
5.6 X 33 SWEDISH EXPERIMENTAL
Swedish experimental cartridge based on the 7x33 Sako case. Developed during the mid 1960's
5.56 X 58 GERMAN XPL
German experimental cartridge from the early 1960. It utilised a 2-piece case.
5.56 X 57 SPIW FLECHETTE XM-645
9 X 39 RUSSIAN
During the Cold War years, Russian Special Forces were looking at a weapons system that could be used as a sub-sonic round but they were also looking for something that gave better armour penetrating abilities than the existing 7.62x39’s that they were using for...
5.56 X 54 FRENCH XPL
Another French experimental high velocity development during the early to mid-1970’s that was based on the 7,5x54 French MAS case necked down.
5.56 X 45 STEYR XPL
The Steyr 5.56 mm ACR is a gas operated/ rising chamber modular weapon system firing semiautomatic or high cyclic 3 round burst of flechette projectiles from a 24 double round magazine. This system combines the ultimate feature in weapon optics, and ammunition design....
5.56 X 53 SPIW FLECHETTE XM-110
5.56 X 44 FLECHETTE XM-216
5.56 X 45 FLECHETTE XM-144WE4
5.56 X 43.8 FLECHETTE XM-144
The story of the flechette (little arrows) goes back to the First World War when it was first utilised by the French. There is a very good piece that was done on the whole flechette program on THE GUN ZONE. It is by Daniel Watters and is a summary of the history of...
5.56 X 52 XPL (SPECIAL CASE 2.049″)
The following is an excerpt from the ICC newsletter #289-290 (Jan-Feb 1980) SQUAD AUTOMATIC WEAPON (SAW) CARTRIDGE DEVELOPMENT AT FRANKFORD ARSENAL (1971-1972) COMPILED BY WOODIN LABORATORY "During July 1971 a computerized parametric design...
9 X 35 Lahti AL-43
During 1943 the Finnish authorities began showing a passing interest in an assault rifle/SMG concept like the 7.92 Kurz. They however did not have either the time nor the inclination to start the development of a whole new assault rifle/cartridge concept smack bang in...
5.56 XM-2 FOLDED
US caseless experimental during the early 80'sby GRAND TECHNOLOGIES GROUP INC, Jenkintown PA Bullet shown at 200% scale Inert commemorative set by GTG. The XM-2 type is identified by the BLACK cases comprising of...
5.56 XPL FOLDED (5.56X25)
This was another Folded Case experimental by the US during the mid 70's The following from Buttweiler (RTB.VII.2.306) Produced as a promotional item, this is the 4 piece bicentennial set. It was produced to commemorate the American Bicentennial and the set includes 4...
5.56 XPL FOLDED (ENCAPSULATED) (5.56X22)
Folded Ammunition is a unique concept in ammunition design that relocates the propellant charge from the conventional position behind and coaxial with the projectile to one beside the projectile. For a given energy output, conventional axially symmetric cartridges do...
5.56 X 39 RUSSIAN SCUBA CARTRIDGE
During the mid-1970’s the Russians developed a unique smoothbore underwater assault rifle, the APS (Автомат Подводный Специальный). These cartridges were manufactured in 3 types, namely MPS, Morskoy Patron Spetsialnyy; “special marine cartridge” (МПС;...
5.56 X 38 FABRL
Designed by Frankford Arsenal during 1972 - 1973. A large number of projectiles were designed with a high L/D (length to diameter) ratio but low mass during this program (1971-1973). All of the projectile designs are of a composite core nature with a wide variety of...
5.56 EXPELLABLE REMINGTON
The Small Arms System Agency at Aberdeen Proving Ground sponsored a research project in December 1969 for the development of a 5.56mm expendable or expellable case design. Most of this development was done by Remington and the project was aimed at solving the...
5.56 X 30 HUGHES LOCKLESS
McDonnell-Douglas Helicopter Company, formerly Hughes Helicopters developed their AIWS (Advanced Individual Weapon System) with the proto-type funded by the Advanced Research Projects Agency. The design made use of a sideways-loading chamber, with a "sliding sleeve...
5.56 X 30 COLT MARS XPL
The MARS (Mini Assault Rifle System) was an experimental, scaled-down variant of the M16 rifle tested by Colt as a personal defense weapon (PDW) in the 1990s. It was chambered for the experimental 5.56x30mm MARS cartridge. The 5.56x30mm cartridge fired a 55 grain...
5.56 X 24 US CASELESS XPL
US caseless experimental Shown at 200% scale Shown at 200% scale
5.56 X 17.6 GIAT-FN CASELESS XPL
Caseless experimental by French GIAT INDUSTRIES and FN BELGIUM during the period 1980-1986. Shown at 200% scale
5.5 X 50 BELTED AUSTRIAN XPL
This is one of a small number of cartridges developed from a March 1891 patent by the Austrian firm of Georg Roth whereby a belt is added to the extractor groove in order to facilitate headspace in the new chambers. This was a radical design for its era as this was...
5,5mm ITALIAN MOSCHETTO BALILLA
These small cartridges were used in training rifles by the “Young Fascists” in Italy and also known as the Moschetto Ballila. It was a blank firing cadet rifle, the weapon being commissioned by the central presidency of the Opera Nazionale Balilla, which operated from...