Early U.S. 3-inch stuff...

[shelldude]

John (HAZORD) had inquired recently about any early U.S. inert 3-inch ordnance I have. Here is a photograph of some of my early 3-inch stuff that I thought the group might find interesting. Left to Right;

3-inch Hotchkiss Mountain Howitzer BD common HE shell. Casing is UMC manufactured, dated 7-98.
3-inch Naval Landing Gun BD common HE MK III Mod 5 shell. Casing is GMC manufactured, dated 1917.
3-inch Field Gun BD common HE shell.
3-inch Field Gun shrapnel with M1907 Time/Percussion fuze.
3-inch Field Gun HE (High Capacity) shell with Mk V PD fuze.

Best regards,

Randall

 

[dano1917]

3 inches of pleasure

Good show shelldude, Those are some fine US 3 inch shells, just awesome...Dano

 

[HAZORD]

Randall,

Really nice bullets! Hey how about a photo of just the projos in the same order, and a photo and measurement of the Hotchkiss Case and headstamp? I'm unfamiliar with that one.

Do you have a manual of drawings of the ammo for the Hotchkiss?

Thanks,

John

 

[shelldude]

Hello John,

Here's a couple photographs of the 3-inch Hotchkiss Mountain Gun casing base. It's factory inscribed "U.M.C. Co. - BRIDGEPORT CONN. U.S.A. - 7-98
There's also a hand inscribed notation: FROM ED STANLEY - TO W R MCGEACHIN - OCT 1905 - CAVITE PI

These guns were used in the Philippines so I've always thought this is a neat addition to the casing.

I don't have an ammunition manual covering the types of projectiles used. I've found VERY LITTLE reference information regarding the gun.

Rim diameter: 89mm
Casing length :154mm

Best regards,

Randall

 

[HAZORD]

Thanks Randall! Does the projectile have identification stamped into it? Is there info somewhere about the 3 inch Hotchkiss Mt Howitzer? How does the 3inch Hotchkiss projo compare to the 3 inch LG projo?

Thanks,

John

 

[dano1917]

I would have to think that any shell from the Phillipine Insurrection or the Span-Am war would be highly desireable...Dano

 

[HAZORD]

Dano,

Just finding information about what the U.S. was using between the Civil War and WWI is highly desireable. Being able to find and have an example is even better!

 

[shelldude]

Hello John & Dano,

There's a website: www.spanamwar.com that has some good information about the 3-inch Hotchkiss Mountain Howitzer. Scroll down to the "Weapons Profile" and then find the 3-inch howitzer. I typed in the incorrect casing length too. It measures 159mm.

Take care,

Randall

P.S. - The projectile is TOTALLY unmarked.

 

[shelldude]

Hello John,

Here is an impromptu photograph of the 3-inch Hotchkiss Mountain Howitzer BD common projectile (left) compared to the 3-inch LG MK III Mod 5 BD common projectile (right).

Take care,

Randall

 

[HAZORD]

Thanks Randall!