Unknown Cartridge

[nickl16]

I am going to call on some of the firearms experts here. My grandpa found this around his house from when he was doing research for IIT. We are both at a loss for what it would be. It appears to be a .223 bullet in a unknown cartridge. This was made in approximately 1970. Thank you for any information.

 

[BlueEagle]

Thats a puzzler....I'll be watching this thread to see what it is.

It makes me think of some of the specially designed underwater guns, but thats probably just through its oddity and not from some specific criteria.

 

[Indy_Guy_77]

I'd almost be willing to bet it's not a "cartridge" at all.

It almost looks like some kind of stringed-instrument "key" with a bullet stuck on it.

Who knows, though?

 

[noobert]

Yeah, it doesn't look like a cartridge to me either

 

[Shooter1]

Caseless ammo.... ODD!
International Ammunition Association {iaaforum.org} - View topic - US caseless small-arms ammo, 1960s?

 

[Hoosier8]

A 5.56mm Folded ?

 

[Hoosier8]

Frankford Arsenal publishes the report "Feasibility Study of 5.56 MM Folded Ammunition/Weapon System." Testing was conducted with M16A1 and FN FAL modified for a 5.56mm folded cartridge loaded with the FABRL bullet.

The feasibility study.

http://www.dtic.mil/cgi-bin/GetTRDoc?Location=U2&doc=GetTRDoc.pdf&AD=ADA039156

 

[Hoosier8]

I think it is a collectible. I bet you won't find many around. Wonder how it got there. It may also be a dummy.

Here are two dummies in a presentation case for sale in GB for about 55 bucks.

 

[Indy_Guy_77]

Shooter1 for the win!

-J-

 

[nickl16]

Thats cool having a real piece of history... Thanks for finding it for us, I just showed my grandpa the feasibility study. He worked with one of the guys that was doing the R&D on these at IIT but couldn't remember exactly what it was.

 

[Hoosier8]

It sure is interesting. Reading the study, it allowed for a thinner case for weight saving since it would be supported by the rifle entirely and a shorter stroke for the bolt for extraction allowing for a wider range in cycle rates or even faster cycle rates.

 

[J10]

I just finished reading through the links that some posted. Very interesting stuff. Had no idea a "Folded" round was ever though at all, let alone as a viable replacement for the military.