15mm BESA Drill and Dummy

Drill"Cartridge S.A. Drill 15mm D Mark I" was approved in April 1940 and shown in LoC Paragraph B.4772 dated June 1941 but provisional approval had been given for the drill cartridge in January 1939. Design was to DD/L/9294 and DD/L/10974 (later DD/L/14011)Two versions of the cartridge were approved:- A chromed brass case with three vertical flutes. The flutes and empty cap chamber were painted red and the bullet was a hollow gilding metal envelope supported on a wood distance piece. - A chromed brass case with a red painted empty cap chamber that has an anvil and fireholes. The case has three holes bored equidistantly about half way up the case. The specification called for a solid gilding metal bullet but most will have a service bullet fitted. Cases may be unheadstamped or bear the headstamp of the original round, typically "K 40 WZ".The only known cases specifically headstamped were those made by Parker-Hale and headstamped "P-H D I".The D Mark I was shown as obsolescent in October 1946.Illustrated is a second type Drill D Mark I headstamped "K 40 WZ".15mm Drill D Mark I made on armour piercing case.