Topic: help for an identification

[snoopillz]

Hi everyone! I'm French and I'm living in Colmar, in France, near Germany. I've found a bullet in a field where I work. On the headstamp, we can read: S L 43;
So, it means Saint Louis, by the Us Cartridge COMPANY in 1943 isn'it? I'm not sure.
http://img366.imageshack.us/my.php?image=p1000089pe1.jpg

Morover, I want to konw what kind of bullet is it. the caliber is 20millimeters and it's 99mm long.
What is it? it doesn't correspond with the production in Saint Louis (.50; .60 and 30-06)
Can you help me? THank you!

if it's not the right topic,plz move it

PS: Sorry for my english!   

http://img366.imageshack.us/my.php?image=p1000090kh1.jpg
http://img291.imageshack.us/my.php?image=p1000091qj9.jpg

[Axel Manthei]

Hi,

it looks like a .50 BMG case made by St. Louis Arsenal ( S L) , Missouri; 1943

Greetings

Axel

[snoopillz]

Thank you, but the caliber should be 12.7mm no?

[Axel Manthei]

.50 BMG is 12,7 x 99 (synonym)

Axel

[snoopillz]

Yes I know, but my bullet is 20x99, not 12.7x99.
it's the problem because it doesn't correspond with that.

[hjeppe]

It could very well be a French 20mm Hispano Suiza cartridge case. This cartridge was widely used on US fighter bombers, as well as several land based AA systems, during WW2. Due to its wide use by the allies during WW2, I believe ammunition was also manufactured in the US, although I am not sure of Saint Louis. I'd suggest searching Jane's database for more info.
 

[50M2HB]

The case is .50 BMG (12.7x99). The case mouth exhibits some "belling" to it, so I am assuming your measurement of 20x99 is the diameter of the case mouth x case length.  If you look carefully, the case mouth is wider than the case neck, so that's confusing the identification.  St Louis, 1943 production