What is this thing? (pictures attached)

[Turo]

I found a couple of these at the range, and I can't for the life of me figure out what they are.

They appear to be an aluminum housing with a .38 short colt blank round stuck inside it. I can't get it out, even with a punch and a heavy hammer.

The aluminum piece measures .498 inches in diameter on the body, and the rim measures .625 inches across and .100 thick.

I was thinking they were some sort of sub-caliber adapter, but being aluminum they wouldn't be all that good for it, and the hole in the front is definitely not large enough for a .38 short colt bullet to go through.

Check out the attached pictures and see if you can figure out what these are.

[SkyHawk]

Some sort of gas source/propellant for a small launcher? 40mm nylon cases also use .38 short blanks for a gas source.

[Turo]

Some sort of gas source for a small launcher?

That's kind of what I was thinking at first, but I can't figure out what size chamber it would be fired from.

... 40mm nylon cases also use .38 short blanks for a gas source.

I was unaware of that, it gives me another point to start searching from. Thanks!

[SkyHawk]

That's kind of what I was thinking at first, but I can't figure out what size chamber it would be fired from.



I was unaware of that, it gives me another point to start searching from. Thanks!

It is possible that these were themselves inserted into something larger before chambering. The 40mm cases take the 38 short blank directly, this adapter would not be required. Perhaps this was for something odd like a foreign flare launcher, or something homemade, or ?? Strange they would be left behind though...

It could be for some LE 37mm/40mm rounds of some sort.

[Michael in California]

I think these are for starter pistols

[Turo]

It is possible that these were themselves inserted into something larger before chambering. The 40mm cases take the 38 short blank directly, this adapter would not be required. Perhaps this was for something odd like a foreign flare launcher, or something homemade, or ?? Strange they would be left behind though...

It could be for some LE 37mm/40mm rounds of some sort.

It looks like a lot of flare/37/40mm rounds use .38 short colt, but none I can find use an insert as well.

Home made was my first thought, being made to almost exactly an inch long, 5/8 rim, and .500 diameter, but like you, I was confused as to why they'd leave them on the range.

[SkyHawk]

The small exit hole it would seem is designed to build a high pressure. Usually this would be vented into a larger vessel to reduce the pressure but add volume for a large projectile. The 40mm system has a high/low design built into the case. But that is an awful small hole, so perhaps it is designed to be used with just the primer or a very light load. That is why I was thinking smallish launcher.

As for the starter pistol theory, I am not sure a starter pistol would use A) a .50 cal cartridge and B) need to develop a high pressure. But I don't know much about starter pistols, or why someone would use them on a range ??

[bsumoba]

possibly used as a sort of primer system for a muzzle loader?

[LowThudd]

Convert a pell of some sort?

http://convert-a-pell.com/revolver/

[hambam105]

From Dusk til Dawn, bar scene.

[rm1911]

It's ghost ammo.

[fguffey]

There was a time a reloader could install an insert in a 30/06 chamber and fire 308W ammo. Years later when some of the modified chambers were found the information hit the reloading forums. After that it became a "all you have to do is etc. etc..".

Little thought was given to the problem created when the 308 W is chambered in a 30/06 chamber. The 308 W case is at least .014" larger at the shoulder/case body juncture than the 30/03 when measured from the case head. That means the bolt sized the case when the bolt closed or the reloader had to recued the diameter of the case by sizing. OR a 308 W chamber reamer was used to give the chamber additional clearance.

Point, To me the adapters look like they were used to modify the chamber to fire smaller calibers.

F. Guffey

[Turo]

There was a time a reloader could install an insert in a 30/06 chamber and fire 308W ammo. Years later when some of the modified chambers were found the information hit the reloading forums. After that it became a "all you have to do is etc. etc..".

Little thought was given to the problem created when the 308 W is chambered in a 30/06 chamber. The 308 W case is at least .014" larger at the shoulder/case body juncture than the 30/03 when measured from the case head. That means the bolt sized the case when the bolt closed or the reloader had to recued the diameter of the case by sizing. OR a 308 W chamber reamer was used to give the chamber additional clearance.

Point, To me the adapters look like they were used to modify the chamber to fire smaller calibers.

F. Guffey

I would be inclined to agree, but the casing in the adapter is a blank. And no projectile passed through the opening in the front.

[ojisan]

To fire tranquilizer darts?

[ar15barrels]