4,5" British Howitzer case ID

[Burney Davis]

A friend has asked for the maker ID on this case. Letters are NSF / BM. Is this National Shell Factory Birmingham? TIA

 

[Snufkin]

It is the National Shell Factory (Midland Railway Company Wagon Works), Washwood Heath, Birmingham. The factory produced 4.5-inch shell throughout the war, but only made 4.5-inch cartridge cases from July 1916 to November 1916, the non-ferrous department thereafter turning to the supply of copper bands sufficient for the factory and the whole district administered by the Birmingham Munitions Committee.

The surviving case is therefore something of a scarcity.



Tom.

 

[Burney Davis]

It is the National Shell Factory (Midland Railway Company Wagon Works), Washwood Heath, Birmingham. The factory produced 4.5-inch shell throughout the war, but only made 4.5-inch cartridge cases from July 1916 to November 1916, the non-ferrous department thereafter turning to the supply of copper bands sufficient for the factory and the whole district administered by the Birmingham Munitions Committee.

The surviving case is therefore something of a scarcity.


Tom.

Terrific information as always Tom, many thanks.