15Pdr Case(s)?

[oldshotandshell]

I'm confident that the case with the tabs is a 15Pdr QF (Erhardt), but what is the other one? Both cases measure 76.2x169R. The tabbed case has three tabs equidistant round the case mouth and faint headstamps 'J Broad Arrow F O' with a head diameter of 89mm. The other case has a Maxim Nordenfeldt headstamp and a Nordenfeldt groove. The head diameter is smaller at 85mm. It does not appear to have been 'cut down'. The rim thickness of both cases is 3mm. Are they both 15Pdrs?

 

[ron3350]

I will give my thoughts to your nice cases.
I have never seen a 15Pr Eberhardt case but if it is a fixed round, why does it need mouth cut-outs which would hold a cap/wad?

The second case looks like a 2.95" Vicker MG (75x158R) but the only case I have has a 4.5mm thick rim and is 86.5mm rim diameter.
The 75x168R Vickers MG has an 86mm rim which is thinner at 3.5mm thick (from my example)
It would have to have been shortened or re-made as a 2.95" to match your case.
These cases are listed as fixed rounds where I thought a charge altering system would better suit a mountain gun.

These cases are all hard to find and get information on dimensions. Example the rim thicknesses.
I hope I have added info and not confused everyone. I also wish to know exactly what your two cases are. Ron.

 

[Alpini]

this thread has a headstamp picture: http://www.bocn.co.uk/vbforum/threa...a-15-Pounder-Ehrhardt-case?highlight=Ehrhardt

 

[oldshotandshell]

I've been doing some more research and the tabbed case is 15Pdr QF, probably a MkI, and is referred to in Hogg and Thurston's book, 'British Artillery Weapons and Ammunition 1914-1918' (pictures below).


On closer examination I think the second case more closely measures 75x169R which according to Hawkinson's reference makes it more likely to be a Maxim Nordenfeldt contract case for the Austrian Mountain Gun c1895.

Just need to find decent projectiles for both cases now!

 

[ron3350]

Good information and photos. I see that Hawkinson is in error by stating that these 15Pr Erhardt rounds are fixed when they are separate loads.

I show photos of the 2.95" Vickers case (75x158R) with a 75mm Vickers mountain gun case (75x168R) for comparison.
The interesting part is the Boer War inscription on the case. Says it is a 9Pr Krupp ?
This must be wrong as most 75mm weigh more than 9 lbs. Also the case measures to be the 75mm Vickers 75x168R.
There are no mouth crimps so is it a separate load and not fixed as Hawkinson also states?

 

[oldshotandshell]

Interesting also to see the two X marks embossed in the groove. I also have an early 1 1/2Pdr Navy case with these marks. I was told a few years ago by another collector that they signified a Dummy case. When I asked more I didn't get an answer unfortunately.