*US, Pre-Early WWII Era, Experimental 37mm Anti-Aircraft Gun M2 Brass Shell Case – American Armament Corp – Winchester Primer*
An original and substantial Pre-WWII / Early World War II American 37mm Anti-Aircraft Gun M2 brass shell casing manufactured by American Armament Corporation, New York, U.S.A., retaining clear period headstamps and a Winchester-subcontracted primer. Considerably less commonly encountered than standard U.S. arsenal-produced wartime ammunition, this impressive shell case displays unusual contractor markings and strong appeal to collectors of experimental ordnance and anti-aircraft militaria.
The base is crisply marked “AMERICAN ARMAMENT CORP. / NEW YORK U.S.A.” surrounding “37 MM A.A. GUN M2”, together with production number 382100. The primer is additionally marked ‘W 17’, with the W denoting Winchester subcontract involvement and 17 representing either the specific primer model designation or a 1917 manufacture date from repurposed period components. During the pre-war and wartime period, specialist manufacturers frequently supplied components and assemblies under military contract arrangements.
Approx. Measurements – Height: 17.8 cm. Base diameter: 5.4 cm.
History Note:
The American Armament Corporation (AAC) was a private defence contractor that developed proprietary weapon systems during the late 1930s and early 1940s. Among these projects was the AAC 37mm Anti-Aircraft Gun M2, a specialist anti-aircraft design trialed during the period that competed against more conventional U.S. Army ordnance programmes. While the U.S. military evaluated AAC concepts alongside other developing systems, standardisation ultimately favoured the U.S. Arsenal-designed 37mm M1 automatic gun.
As a result, AAC systems saw only limited production and appear to have been offered to international and specialist users rather than entering large-scale American service. Contemporary research links AAC-designed weapons with export contracts including Dutch naval applications at the outbreak of World War II. Because these programmes remained comparatively small and outside mainstream U.S. military production, surviving examples carrying the full “AMERICAN ARMAMENT CORP / NEW YORK U.S.A.” headstamp are encountered far less frequently than standard issue 37mm ammunition and are regarded as scarce collector pieces.
*Condition*
Good original condition with attractive aged brass patina throughout. Displays scattered handling marks, age-related staining and surface wear consistent with storage and use. Minor dings. Primer remains present and marked W17. Interior shows residue and age-darkening from previous use. Inert display item only. Please see photographs as part of the condition report.
