Darkman
Well-Known Member
I recently picked up a 3-inch 20cwt practice shell that has a P stamped under the steel supplier details and above the designation. It’s a black painted shell with a 1” yellow band on the shoulder and a 1/2” red band near the mouth. It also has a 1 & 1/2” silver (smoke box?) circle between the 2 bands. It has remnant black pitch filling inside which smells like tar.
I thought the red filling band indicated a bursting charge (powder?), not pitch. What sort of bursting charge would it have had as a practice shell and for what purpose? What fuze would it have used and why is the smoke box circle silver?
Thanks for any information.
Graeme
I thought the red filling band indicated a bursting charge (powder?), not pitch. What sort of bursting charge would it have had as a practice shell and for what purpose? What fuze would it have used and why is the smoke box circle silver?
Thanks for any information.
Graeme