Call for Assistance Archives 2

The following "Calls for Assistance" posts are for the most part closed.  If you see something that you recognize the submitter would welcome your additional input.

• Kansas Grenade Launcher (posted 3/25/03)
• 45 ACP Cartridge Cases (posted 3/17/03)
• Unknown Bullet (posted 3/13/03)
• Submachine Gun Information Needed (posted 2/26/03) Updated 3/10/03
• Signal Pistol (posted 11/15/02)
• Unusual 22 caliber Rifling (posted 9/9/02)
• ID of Black Powder Firearm From Fired Miniball (posted 08/20/02)
• Factory supplied test casings from Glock (posted 7/29/02)
• Unknown Bullet (posted 6/14/02)
• Unknown Cartridge (posted 3/16/02)

    Kansas Grenade Launcher?

Assistance is needed in the identification of the items below.

There are no markings on either the device or the cartridges. Device may be a flare gun. It is hollow, has no apparent internal working mechanism, and has 4 small holes drilled into the rear end.

• bore diameter: 1.55"
• cartridge diameter: 1.53"

Any idea how it fires?

The cartridge is plastic with cardboard-like inner tubing and primer.

Thanks,

Susan E. Lee
Firearm and Tool Mark Examiner
Kansas Bureau of Investigation

Click here to post feedback

  45ACP Cartridge Cases

Okay all of you forensic sleuths here is today's question.

I received five discharged cartridge cases in an unsolved homicide. Several of them display what appears to be a loaded chamber indicator mark. If you are aware of any 45 ACP caliber autoloading pistols that possess a device that can leave a toolmark similar to the one depicted in the photo please post your reply to this link.  FEEDBACK
 

Thanks,

Bob Shem
 

  Unknown Bullet

An Alaska State Trooper came upon these bullets and asked me if I could identify them.  Has anyone seen these before?

 

No scale included, but I'd guess that they are about 30 caliber.

Thanks,

FEEDBACK

Alaska Department of Public Safety

  Submachine Gun Information Needed

Dear AFTE:

Please, I need information about a Submachine gun, 9mm caliber, only trademark "MINIMAX" (see pictures).

(click images for larger view)

I look forward to receive your answer,

Best Regards,

FEEDBACK

Leopoldo O. Gonzalez G.
Lgonzale@fiscalia.gov.co
Firearms Examiner
AFTE Provisional Member

FISCALIA GENERAL DE LA NACION
Labaoratorio de balistica C.T.I.
Dg. 22B No. 52-01, Edificio L, iso 2°
Bogota,D.C., COLOMBIA
 

 

Signal Pistol (posted 11/15/02)

Request for assistance on the function of a signal pistol.  This pistol was used in an armed robbery and submitted to our lab.  No flares or propellant source were submitted. 

Information on pistol is: 

• Weinberg u. Signal Pistole
• FB Record cal. 6mm
• Made in Germany

Is the propellant a type of powder or simply a primer of some kind?

Thanks,

FEEDBACK

Dan Alessio
Firearms Examiner
Oregon State Police
dan.alessio@state.or.us  

Unusual 22 caliber Rifling (posted 9/9/02)

I have received a bullet that displays some unusual rifling. The land impression looks like micro groove rifling, but there are only 5.  There is nothing in the GRC database that is even close. 

The bullet's characteristics are:

Diameter: .224
Weight: 35 grs. 
Rifling: 5-Right
Land Impression:  .018
Groove Impression: .116

Any ideas?

FEEDBACK

Thanks,

Joe Correa
Joseph.Correa@txdps.state.tx.us

ID of Black Powder Firearm From Fired Miniball (Posted 08/20/02)

I am working a shooting case where the victim was shot, and a .44/.45 caliber mini ball was recovered. The ball weighs 139 grains, has 7 lands and grooves with a right hand twist. The average land impression was approximately 0.120" and the average groove impression was approximately 0.068". On one end of the ball there are visible concentric circles, most likely from the ramrod.

Does anyone out there have a database so that I might be able to give the detective on the case an investigative lead more than just saying probably a black powder gun. Thanks in advance.

Allen Greenspan (no relation to the guy in DC)

FEEDBACK
 
Allen B. Greenspan
Firearms & Toolmark Examiner
Broward County Sheriff's Office
201 SE 6th St.  North Wing 1799
Fort Lauderdale, Florida 33301
(954) 831-5816
(954) 831-6413 Fax
Allen_Greenspan@sheriff.org
 

Factory supplied test casings from Glock (posted 7/29/02)

Anyone having any information concerning the "wrong" test cartridge casing in a shipped firearm from the Glock company or any manufacture, please contact:

 Joe Kopera - Maryland State Police Firearms Lab at 410-653-4497 or E-mail at ojive@hotmail.com

Our lab has had a problem lately and we are interested in seeing how common
this is.... Thank You

FEEDBACK

Joe
 

Unknown Bullet (posted 6/14/02)

Assistance is needed in identifying the manufacturer of a bullet. This 9mm/38/357 copper jacket displays a dimple almost centered in the base. One pair of eyes swears there are even letters in this dimple or a symbol of some kind, but not everyone agrees. The jacket is expanded but displays no petals or slits typical of a hollow point. The accompanying core also gives no clue as to whether this bullet was a FMJ, JSP, or JHP. Has anyone seen this before?

  
(click images for larger view)

Thanks,

FEEDBACK

Alison Quereau
Florida Department of Law Enforcement
Orlando, FL
407-540-3924
AlisonQuereau@fdle.state.fl.us
 

 

Unknown Cartridge (posted 3/16/02)

Assistance is needed in the identification of a cartridge.  The bullet weight is 219 grains.  Winchester says they didn't make it. 

I received 7 of these on a case but only one has the maroon plug in the HP cavity.  It looks like someone drilled the plug out of the other six.

Thanks,

FEEDBACK

Billy J. Hornsby
Senior Firearms Examiner
hornsbyb@usacil-acirs.army.mil
CML 404-469-7048
DSN 797-7048
FAX 404-469-7112

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