What's new
British Ordnance Collectors Network

This is a sample guest message. Register a free account today to become a member! Once signed in, you'll be able to participate on this site by adding your own topics and posts, as well as connect with other members through your own private inbox!

Latest addition - 40 mm mystery shell pre WW1?

S

super7

Well-Known Member
Purchased this 40 mm shell the other day with intriging shape. It looks very much like a Gruson but it is only 40 mm in diameter and 112 mm in length.
It has a dummy brass fuze, a narrow brass driving band and a small hole at the top and the base. No markings.

Could perhaps be some kind of a desk ornament but why go to all this trouble when you could use a 3,7 cm instead? So I assume this is the real deal but what is it?
Much appreciated.

DSC04056a.jpg

Regards, Jan
http://www.westernfront.nl
 
I have seen one of these at an antique market in the UK before. There may also have been a thread about them on this forum. I recall that they were thought to be replica desk ornaments.

The one I saw had a broken driving band. As far as I remember, there were no serrations under the band to hold it in place when fired. This would suggest that they are not real projectiles.
 
Last edited:
Thx Falcon. Did a quick search on the forum as suggested and found this one closest to the one you described: http://www.bocn.co.uk/vbforum/threads/86869-Unknown-Projectile?highlight=ornament Measurements are different but the overall look is very much the same. So could be that desk ornament as I suspected but still puzzled why people went to all this trouble when similar 37mm shells are available in great numbers.

BTW, the driving band is not brass, as previous stated, but copper.

Regards, Jan
 
Last edited:
You must log in or register to reply here.
Top