The high velocity collision of two solids is discussed as a problem in compressible fluid hydrodynamics. Such collisions may conveniently be divided into jetless and jet‐forming categories. A theory is presented which describes flow in the collision region for the jetless case and determines a critical collision angle (as a function of material velocities and equation‐of‐state properties of the materials) above which a jet must arise from the collision.The experimental study of solid collisions utilizes metal plates driven by high explosives, the impact of the plates being recorded with a high speed smear camera. Two experimental arrangements are used, and data for collisions employing Dural, mild steel, brass and lead are presented. Jetless and jet‐forming collisions are observed, and critical angles separating the two types are compared with theoretical predictions. Agreement seems sufficiently good to indicate that the theory is valid.