Technical drawing of .38 Special 158 grain bullet?

[naval_aviator]

Hi, I have a question—does anyone have a technical drawing of .38 Special 158 grain bullet with a steel jacket from 1940s? I'm looking to create a 3D print of this ammunition and need its exact dimensions, with the main challenge being measuring and preparing the bullet itself.

Thx,
Jerry

 

[max503]

Try going to cults3d.com

 

[naval_aviator]

Try going to cults3d.com

Not many good 3D models here especially for correct .38 ammo WW2. It is why I need a good technical drawing to make a good model by my own but I have to have a correct measurements of the bullet.

 

[WR Moore]

OK, I've gotta ask: why would they have produced steel jacketed .38 ammunition for the war? They did do the FMJ with copper to comply with the Hague Convention. And, in 1943 they produced tons of .45 ACP with steel cases, but copper clad FMJs.

 

[Matt_X]

OK, I've gotta ask: why would they have produced steel jacketed .38 ammunition for the war? They did do the FMJ with copper to comply with the Hague Convention. And, in 1943 they produced tons of .45 ACP with steel cases, but copper clad FMJs.

Bi-metal or Copper Gilded Steel Jacketed bullets were typical for all "Ball" ammunition. Find this on US surplus ammo made through the 60s and even early 70s LC IIRC.

Take a look at Technical Manuals, for example from p.54 TM-9-1900 Ammunition General June 1945.

Small-Arms Ammunition

60. Cartridges.
b. Bullet. "Bullets for service use have a metal core or slug which is covered with a gilding metal, or guilding-metal-clad steel jacket. In the case of .45 bullets, copper-plated steel may be used instead of gilding metal for the jacket. "

A more recent manual that can be found on-line is TM-9-1305-200. its a little more descriptive too.
As for as the reasons for its development, that someone else will have to answer or point to the answers.

As far as wear goes, apparently its not an issue.
Gilding Metal Clad Steel Jacketed Bullets, aka Bi-metal | M14 Forum


As as 1940s US Ordnance drawings go, I'm pretty sure I've seen one posted for .38 Spl but I may be confusing it for other cartridges. My suggestion is to also search US Militaria Forum.


edit: Here's thread, no drawing but more info
Finally found WWII .38 Special boxed - HANDGUNS - U.S. Militaria Forum

 

[WR Moore]

OK. Does seem unnecessarily complicated for handgun bullets. Armor piercing is another story. Putting a gilding metal cladding/copper plate on steel jackets keeps the steel from contacting the bore, reduces wear.

 

[max503]

Hi, I have a question—does anyone have a technical drawing of .38 Special 158 grain bullet with a steel jacket from 1940s? I'm looking to create a 3D print of this ammunition and need its exact dimensions, with the main challenge being measuring and preparing the bullet itself.

Thx,
Jerry

Does it have to be a perfect rendition of a 1940's bullet? All you need is a .357 bearing surface and a round nose.
If you can create a 3-D print you should be able to easily shape the round/radiused portion with the help of some radius gauges.

 

[DWalt]

I am not sure what you are trying to do. There are FMJ (actually copper plated) .38 Special bullets that very closely visually resemble the WWII GI .38 Special bullet profile. I have some of those somewhere. I have the original military drawings for the newer .38 Special GI 130 grain FMJ bullet, But that will probably not help you. And yes, I have several boxes of the exact same Remington GI loads you have pictured.

You may not have noticed that the headstamps of the GI .38 Special cases lack a hyphen between the REM-UMC. That was done on purpose to identify them as military loads.

You might want to get on the International Ammunition Association forum and ask if anyone has the spec drawing you want. If anyone has it, that is where you will find them.

 

[glenwolde]

The easiest source of drawings is the cast bullets mold makers, like Accurate, Arsenal, and NOE. They might have a profile that will work for you.

Then there's the patent office but that place is a minefield.

 

[naval_aviator]

Thanks guys for a lot of good insight! I wish to buy a fully .38 WW2 ammo but Im living in Europe so it is not possible here

Thanks a lot,
Jerry

 

[max503]

Thanks guys for a lot of good insight! I wish to buy a fully .38 WW2 ammo but Im living in Europe so it is not possible here

Thanks a lot,
Jerry

Maybe you can go out and dig some up.

Sorry. My bad. Just kidding I couldn't help it.