WW1 British 2.95in Mountain gun cases

[Vasco Da Gama]

On doing some collection sorting I brought together the 4 cases I have for the British pre-WW1 2.95in mountain gun. What is puzzling me is that 2 cases are very clearly marked, manufactured by Vickers in 1902 (Mk2) and 1905 (Mk3). The other 2 cases only really have what is probably the monogram for the manufacturer (a form of M) and not a lot more! Probably just a variation due to a different producer having less desire to spend time marking the cases, although they don’t conform to standard British practise. One thought is they may have been made for export. Those marked M have a primer similar to the Mk2 case of 1902, any thoughts greatly accepted! With all four side on the M marked ones are on the left.

 

[ydnum303]

The ones with the odd M mark were made by Maxim Nordenfelt, a company with which Vickers merged to become Vickers Maxim & Son. Those early cases do not turn up as often as the later ones. The real difficulty is finding the projectiles for them!

Roger.

 

[Vasco Da Gama]

Thanks Roger, mystery solved and a simple answer, thank you! As you say the trick is finding a projectile to go with them!

 

[ron3350]

Nice to see 4 cases for comparison in 2.95" Mountain Gun.
I have noted RL 1912 and VSM 1916 dates . Most cases I find are decorated with bands and fancy designs. The only way they got saved from scrap, I guess.
Who has other Mk 11 case headstamps ? First one I have seen. Are the rims all 4.5mm thick and around 86.3mm rim diameter ?

 

[Vasco Da Gama]

I had a look again and turned up another case a Mk1*. As far as I can tell the rim diameter and thickness is the same, the obvious differences are in the primer. Just the five projectiles to find now!

 

[Andy Naude]

2.95'' Mk 2 case

This is not my photo and can't remember where I got it. Apologies to the photographer.