Question on 76,2mm shell

[jozefb2009]

Hello,

Does anybody know the meaning of the letters S.M.A. on this French shell? It's 76,2mm in diameter and 38,5cm in length.

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Thanks,

Jf

[cplfoster]

I believe it's the manufacture's initials. All current ammunition usually contains 3 letters at the beginning of the lot number to indicate which company made the ammunition. My research indicates that that company is defunt.