What Do I Have??

[staples57]

Can anyone help be identify a shell that I have recently added to my collection. The chap I bought it from used it as a pen & pencil holder.

The shell casing does not have any paint, it has been fired (driving bands nicely marked by barrel rifling) and is completely inert (no filling at all). Also, it does not have a fuze.

There are a few markings on the casing, as follows...

TNT
3 20 & 5 CWT
12 & 13 P??
F.S.
R L 3
13-10-16

...the "P??" markings may be P with a side-ways "DR"?

What do I have and what type of fuze would it have been fitted with?

Any info would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks,
Brad

 

[Gspragge]

Sounds like a 13 Pdr. AA projectile

Likely Shrapnel, does it have the top collar, should take the #80 or #85 fuse.

If you are going to the Military show in Markham (Ontario) this Saturday, bring it, perhaps Rob will have a fuse ? The table with all the artillery shells etc. I will be at another table with bugger all -----

 

[staples57]

Yes, it does have a brass collar ring or "adapter" ring.
Any idea what the markings mean or who the maker is?
I'll see if Rob has a fuze. Yes, I'll be at the Markham show on Saturday, not sure just where our tables will be just yet. Thanks.

Likely Shrapnel, does it have the top collar, should take the #80 or #85 fuse.

If you are going to the Military show in Markham (Ontario) this Saturday, bring it, perhaps Rob will have a fuse ? The table with all the artillery shells etc. I will be at another table with bugger all -----

 

[2pounder]

shell

It is stated that a type of shell was produced that could be fired from 3in, 12pr and 13pr guns this could very well be an example of it judging by the markings below TNT,P? would be PR or PDR, F.S. is forged steel, RL is Royal Laboratories at Woolwich and 13-10-16 is the date of manufacture. TNT not known.

 

[Quatermass]

Could TNT be INT or IINT?
The top marking should be the mark of shell so perhaps mark I or II naval tracer?
As 2pounder states the 3"20 & 5cwt 12 & 13 PR indicates a interchangeable sheel.

 

[bombmonki]

The 3"20 CWT (hundredweight) was a Navy gun that was adopted for land use as an AA gun during and after WW1 (it was still used by Navy obviously). The CWT referred to the weight of the mount rather than any calibre or shell annotation. Certainly in Australia it was used until around the 1960's/70's as a proof mount for vertical recovery. The brass cart case has a nice wide rim and can be converted into good looking brass peaked caps that make good presents to soldiers when they obtain their warrants.

Leo

 

[staples57]

Just had a closer look... yes, it's INT
Does that indicate Mk. 1 Naval Tracer????

Could TNT be INT or IINT?
The top marking should be the mark of shell so perhaps mark I or II naval tracer?
As 2pounder states the 3"20 & 5cwt 12 & 13 PR indicates a interchangeable sheel.

 

[Gspragge]

I suggest this easy to find casing

The 18 pdr. cases necked to 13 pdr, standard for AA in WW1 I forget the proper name, there might be one on specialist now even. Harder to find over here.

 

[Quatermass]

Just had a closer look... yes, it's INT
Does that indicate Mk. 1 Naval Tracer????

Yep its mark I Naval Tracer.

The 18 pdr cased necked down to 13 pdr is the 13 pdr 9 cwt (76.2 X 295R).

 

[staples57]

Thanks to all for the identification and information.
...I was hoping that it was WW1 British
Now that I know what it is and what fuze would have been used, I'm thinking about a new restoration project.

Would it originally have been unpainted or painted?
If painted, how and what colour(s)?

Thanks,
Brad

 

[Quatermass]

HE would be painted yellow/buff.

Shrapnel would be painted black.

Your shell sounds like a shrapnel projectile so blacks the colour for you.