Help with 2pdr shell.

[Bullet Mick]

Had this in my collection for some time but never paid much attention to it. I was wondering if anybody has any info on these types of shell. Ive never seen a projectile for one and wondered what they look like. It is marked on the bottom 2Pr II.VIII & SUB-CAL I.II.LA. It appears to have been cut down at some point. Cheers Mick.

 

[ydnum303]

Hi Mick,

What is the length?

"Normal" 2-pdr cases are 158mm long, but some were officially cut down to 107mm, and used in sub-calibre High Angle guns. Yours looks to have crimping marks at the neck, so if it is 107mm long, that it is what it was likely used for, despite the h/s saying "LA" instead of "HA".

Roger.

 

[Bullet Mick]

Thanks for that Roger ive just measured the length and it is 101mm but like you say it does appear to have crimping marks on the neck. Cheers Mick

 

[ozziammo]

Mick,

A couple of pics of one in my collection, it came as is with fuse. Note the half knurled rim. Dunno why they would have fused a prac/sub cal rnd. Guess they wanted to see if they hit the target.

Both fuse & projectile are FFE.

Regards Ozzi.

 

[Bullet Mick]

Nice round Ozzi looks good with the fuze. Never seen one with the knurled rim what purpose does it serve cheers Mick.

 

[ogreve]

Often knurled rims were used to indicate dummy rounds.
But... on a general note: knurls, grooves, and other markings that can be felt to the touch, were used so the rounds could easily be distinguished in low-light conditions.
Some nice examples of this are the British 105x609R TK rounds, which have several distinct markings like that on the head of the cases.

Cheers,
Olafo