History of Modern U.S. Military Small Arms Ammunition Volume III, 1946 - 1977

About the Book

Title: History of Modern U.S. Military Small Arms Ammunition, Volume III, 1946 – 1977.

Authors: Frank W. Hackley, William H. Woodin, and Eugene L. Scranton

Drawings by Eugene L. Scranton

Designed and Edited by Mel Carpenter

Published by MRC3 Publishing, PO Box 665, Orange Park, FL 32067-0665

ISBN: 978-1-4951-6616-7

Library of Congress Control Number: 67010477

Volume III is the continuation of the well-known series which began in 1967 with the publication of Volume I, which covered the period from 1880 – 1939. Volume II, which covers the WWII period from 1940 – 1945, was published in 1978. Because of the many U.S. military small arms ammunition developments during the period covered by Volume III, the book is large, with 650 pages (more than twice the size of Volumes I and II combined). There are 1,077 cartridge, bullet, case, and headstamp drawings in the book and 202 box labels illustrated.

Highlights include Chapter 3, Cal. .223 (5.56mm) at 58 pages, 68 figures, and 17 box labels and Chapter 6, Cal. .30 Light Rifle and 7.62mm NATO ammunition at 96 pages, 149 figures, and 41 box labels. Nineteen other chapters covering standard and experimental calibers from 1mm to Cal. .60 plus shotgun shells, four Appendices, a Glossary, Bibliography, and a 14-page Index round out Volume III.

Volume III is “required reading” for anyone with an interest in U.S. military small arms ammunition and its development. Twenty-two years in the making, the book completes the series of three volumes and without it, no collector’s reference library can be complete. Now, collectors of military pistols, rifles, and shotguns can finally have the full story of the ammunition developed for their firearms and other devices up to 1977. Most of the experimental, sometimes bizarre, cartridges described and illustrated are seen here for the first time ever, while the old standards such as .38 Special, .45 ACP, .30 Carbine, .30-06, 9mm, and shotgun shells are updated, often with surprising variations.

Cartridge types developed during the period covered include SPIW, SAW, FABRL, SALVO, SCAMP, “Tombstone,” Squeeze Bore, Taper Bore, Flechette, Simplex, Duplex, Triplex, Multiplex, Folded, Tround, Caseless, Expellable, QSPR, Rocket Propelled, Underwater, and more. The authors have been known worldwide for many years as the ultimate subject matter experts in the field of U.S. military small arms ammunition, and they bring all of their expertise, knowledge, experience, and writing skills to their latest work while still maintaining an easy-to-read and easy-to-understand format. The detailed 11-page Table of Contents and 14-page Index make searching for a specific cartridge type or caliber quick and efficient.

Finally, as a bonus, otherwise blank pages or portions of pages at or near the end of most chapters have been used to present extra material of interest. There are 23 full or partial pages of bonus material, including 33 illustrations. (A photo of the authors at an earlier book-signing event is included.) The book’s first printing in November 2015 is limited in quantity and although future printings are likely due to an anticipated high demand, wise collectors will act now to ensure they are not disappointed.

Volume III is available for the surprisingly low price of just $65 USD, plus shipping. Copies of the book will also be available at the St. Louis International Cartridge Show (SLICS), 12-15 April 2017. We have sold out of Vol. I Revised and its addendum and Vol. II and its addendum. We are also offering copies of MBA Gyrojets and Other Ordnance by Mel Carpenter at the reduced price of $45 USD, plus shipping, for buyers of Vol. III. For details on this unique book, please visit www.Gyrojet.net, where you can download a free sample chapter from the book, the Table of Contents, two supplemental chapters written after the book was published, and other interesting information.

Buy Volume III $65