Shell ident please?

[Millsman]

I've been asked to ID this shell and I have some doubts as to my conclusion.

It is 84mm dia (exluding driving band) and 334mm from fuze base to base of shell. The remains of the fuze has 228 on it plus the timing marks and a tiny broad arrow. It is missing a base cap and is empty.

It was found in a field in East Kent.

Any help welcome.

John

 

[Burney Davis]

From your description it sounds like a 25 pr smoke shell with (probably) 390 fuze (or possibly 199/221). The '228' is not the fuze number. It is too small to be a 3.7" AA shell

BD

 

[peteblight]

It's a UK 25 pdr, Mk I-III base ejection projectile.

The base ejection model was either chemical or smoke fill.

If a chemical fill, the fuze would be a 221B time and combustion fuze

 

[Chris 42 RQ]

25 Pound Smoke BE

Looks to me very much like a 25 Pounder Base Ejecting Smoke shell or Parachute Illuminating projectile.
The fitting of the time Fuze is appropriate for this munition.

 

[Millsman]

Thanks very much guys. The base had me fooled.

John

 

[peteblight]

25 pdr base

Here's some pictures of 25pdr bases

- Smoke fill base plate

- Type 1 Chemical base plate

- Type 2 Chemical base plate

- Liquid smoke fill on Mk VIII 25 Pdr

- Chemical fill - Canada

- Nerve agent base
(filled through the base but not base ejection)

- HE base

 

[Millsman]

Chrikey that's chapter, verse, lock stock and barrels all in one reply! Thanks - John