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!

4.5 in Howr identification

P38Man

Member
I'd appreciate some help please from the experts on British munitions. I've had this 4.5 inch howitzer for many years but I confess I know nothing about it. I've attached a photo of the base and a close-up of the primer but in case they are difficult to read these are the markings:

Base:
4.5 in Howr.
III
VAEL
1935 CF
Lot
10
S
(broad arrow)
SR
There's also a 'v' above the 4.5 inscription, and an 'x' below the 1935.


Primer:
No 1
II
SH&S (it's in longhand so the 'S' may be another letter?)
6/40
563
CY 7.40

It was picked up in Ireland so it might possibly(?) be part of their (British manufactured) equipment?

Many thanks in advance for the help.

Howr 1.jpgHowr 2.jpg
 
4.5 in Howr. - Calibre and nature of ordnance.
III - Mark of case
VAEL - manufacturer – Vickers Armstrong, (Elswick)
1935 - Year of manufacture
CF – Case life history – one full (F) charge of smokeless powder (C)
Lot 10 – Production identifier
S within a diamond – Scleroscope and Mercurous Nitrate test stamp (test for hardness and propensity to crack)
A within a diamond – Low temperature annealing stamp
SR – I don’t know, possibly an examiner's stamp.


Primer:
No 1, II – Type and Mark of primer
SH&S – Manufacturer - Samuel Heath and Sons, Ltd. (Brass founders) 100 to 118 Leopold Street, Birmingham. “ Spinning” Victoria 2303 (5 lines)
6/40 – Date of manufacture
563 – Lot number of filling
CY – Filling factory – R.O.F. Chorley.
7.40 – Date of filling.

TimG
 
Top