Description
Physical description
L2A2 1.5 inch rubber baton round and black plastic and metal L3A1 LR baton round case. Stencilled in white: " ROUND A RIOT, 1.5IN BATON L R L3A1" "24 SPRA 3-79" Stamped on the base of the case: "FPL" and "10/72"
Label
L2A2 rubber baton round accompanied by an L3A1 long range baton round case. The L3A1 baton round was a blunt ended, projectile that was used at a longer range than the L2A2. Whether the L2A2 was used with the L3A1 casing in error or whether they have become mismatched at a later date, is unknown. However, both rounds use the same casing, the identification markings on the case are there to indicate the type of projectile that is contained in it. Such projectiles were first used in Belfast by the British Army in August 1970, and almost 56,000 rounds of this type were fired up until 1976 when they were replaced by the plastic baton round, which had been used alongside the rubber round since 1973.
The instructions for firing the round indicated that it should be fired at the ground so as to ricochet into the target. If the rounds were fired directly at people they could, and did cause serious injury and death. Seventeen people, mainly in nationalist and republican areas, died due to injuries sustained from these rounds and many others were injured.
The initial British rubber bullet was 6 inches (150 mm) long, 1.5in (38 mm) in diameter, and about 4 oz (145 g) in weight, using rubberized plastic. It was fired from a modified and lengthened Very pistol named the L67.
History note
The initial British rubber bullet was 150 mm (6 inches) long, 38 mm (1.5 in.) in diameter, and about 145 g (4 oz.); it used rubberized plastic. It was fired from a modified and lengthened Very (flare) pistol named the L67. The new rounds were first used in Belfast by the British Army in August, 1970. Almost 56,000 rounds of this type were fired up until 1976. The instructions for firing the round indicated that it should be fired at the ground so as to ricochet into the target. When fired directly, the round could, and did, cause serious injury and death. Seventeen people have died as a direct result of, or due to injuries sustained by, these rounds in Northern Ireland since 1969. A new type of projectile named the (Click link for more info and facts about plastic bullet) plastic bullet or plastic baton round was introduced in 1973; initially used alongside the rubber bullet, it eventually replaced it during 1976.