3-inch projectiles..

[shelldude]

Here are a few photographs of the majority of my U.S. 3-inch shells. I followed Johns (Hazord) format and just photographed the shells except for the ones that are tight in their casings. They are L to R;

Photo #1
3-inch Hotchkiss Mountain Gun common steel shell.
3-inch Naval common steel shell MK III Mod 4.
3-inch/23 Naval Landing Gun common steel shell MK III Mod 7.
3-inch Field Gun common shrapnel with Model 1907M combination fuze.
3-inch Antiaircraft shrapnel Mark I with antiaircraft time fuze Mark II.
3-inch common steel shell Model 1917 with BD fuze MK.V.
3-inch HE High Capacity steel shell with PD MK V fuze.

Photo #2
3-inch M79 shot, AP shell.
3-inch M42A1 HE with M48 PD fuze.
3-inch M62, APC with BD M66A1 fuze.
3-inch Naval MK 29-2, APC shell.

Photo #3
3-inch Field Gun common shrapnel with intact full shrapnel load. Explosive black powder base charge never was filled.
3-inch M74 shot, AP with Mark II M2 casing.
3-inch common shrapnel shell with antiaircraft Mark II type "s" time fuze in Mark II casing.
3-inch/76mm M62, APC shell in M26 casing.
3-inch M42A1 HE with M43 M/T fuze in Mark II M2 casing.
3-inch antiaircraft shrapnel Mark I shell with Waltham Mk. I M/T fuze in Mark II A1 casing. (Full shrapnel load intact minus BP base charge)
3-inch early M42 HE shell with antiaircraft MK. III time fuze in Mark I M2 casing.

Best regards,

Randall

 

[dano1917]

Well Randall, you've done it again. the way you lay it out with corresponding list is just awesome. Not mumbo jumbo like I would post. Most informative and WELL DONE. Thanks so much........dano

 

[HAZORD]

Mmmmm, bullets!

Very nice display, which I haven't studied yet in much detail. Very nice to have the descriptions done so well. I believe the coastal defense HE with base fuze is M1915. I haven't seen the 3 inch Hotchkiss before. More info on that one would be nice to see. I'm thinking you meant M79 AP shot in photo 3. The M74 is a 37mm AP shot. There was an M85 TP that looked like the M79.

The 3 inch AAA and coastal defense rounds are my favorite from the WWI to WWII era.

 

[shelldude]

Hello John,

You're right, It should read M79 vs M74. My eyeballs were getting a little fuzzy by that time.

I've included a couple of photographs of what I believe is a U.S. M1915 HE common steel shell next to the M1917 HE common steel shell. They are both identical in regard to their base and fuze threads. The 1917 is obviously more aerodynamic

 

[HAZORD]

More nice bullets! Do you have info on the 1917 projo? I haven't seen it referenced in any of the antiaircraft or seacoast gun ammo lists. When I read the description of the M1915 in TM 9-1904 Ammunition Inspection Guide, it does say that it is blunt. I have attached a photo of an ammunition marking manual from 1921 that Gordon posted some time back. It is saying that the pointed AP projo is better known as the 3 inch 15 Pdr. That's why I had them confused, but it did clear up the ID of the blunt one.

 

[dano1917]

Randall, I think you have the best 3 inch and 75mm collections i've ever seen. It just blows me away to see them together in such fine form. What all do you collect out of curiousity? Could you tell me what would be a fair price to pay for a U.S. 75mm shrapnel projectile with m1907 Scovill fuze (no shell casing) in excellent condition (trying to figure if I am being offered a good deal)...Best to you and yours.......Dano

 

[HAZORD]

Is the projectile fired or unfired, loaded with the balls, or not?

 

[shelldude]

Hello John & Dano,

John, the scant information I've found regarding the 1915 & 1917 versions of the 3-inch BD common steel shell is confusing. In HANDBOOK OF ORDNANCE DATE dated 15 November, 1918 on page #141 it lists the common steel shell model 1917 but the dimensions quoted are for the older design 1915. I had forgotten the reference photo you have just included. It's the best I've seen of the 1917 design. Both designs were determined obsolete shortly after the war when the ordnance dept. went to the newer design 3-inch projectiles and rotating bands.

Dano, Thanks for your encouraging words. I've intentionally limited my ordnance stuff to U.S. only. I envy the guys who can collect across the board. The early 20th century stuff seems to be my favorite area. Regarding the 75mm, John has the right questions to ask. An inert, unfired shell with it's shrapnel load still intact in my opinion would be worth between $100 - $150.

Best regards,

Randall

 

[HAZORD]

And a fired POS body with nose adapter and fired fuze, scratched up would be around $35.00 unless some super rare configuration.