Darkman
Well-Known Member
Thanks to a couple of local collectors, including Ozziammo (thanks Pete), I am very happy to have been able to complete my 1939 18 pounder HE streamlined cartridge.
All components were made, and or filled, in 1939 at the Maribyrnong factories in Melbourne, Victoria: MO - Maribyrnong Ordnance factory, MF - Munitions Footscray and ME - Maribyrnong Explosives factory (filling factory), which were all located very close together.
The 117 Mk III fuze is stamped MF 6/39 (and was never filled).
The shell is stamped:
A (Unknown)
MC (Unknown, but unlikely to be MC Finsbury, Adelaide SA)
BHP 1- 1932 (Steel supplier and date)
18 PR
1C (Mark 1C shell)
FS (Forged Steel)
MO (Maker - Maribyrnong Ordnance factory)
57 (Lot number)
9-39 (manufacture date September 1939)
The shell is stencilled:
ME (Filled at Maribyrnong Explosives factory)
10/39 (Filling date October 1939)
26 in circle (Filling lot number)
The case is an 18 pdr Mk IV made at MF in 1939, and the No. 1 Mk II primer was made at MF in 9/38 and filled at ME in 4/39.
Shells with original paint are always nice and I hope you enjoy looking at it.
Regards,
Graeme
All components were made, and or filled, in 1939 at the Maribyrnong factories in Melbourne, Victoria: MO - Maribyrnong Ordnance factory, MF - Munitions Footscray and ME - Maribyrnong Explosives factory (filling factory), which were all located very close together.
The 117 Mk III fuze is stamped MF 6/39 (and was never filled).
The shell is stamped:
A (Unknown)
MC (Unknown, but unlikely to be MC Finsbury, Adelaide SA)
BHP 1- 1932 (Steel supplier and date)
18 PR
1C (Mark 1C shell)
FS (Forged Steel)
MO (Maker - Maribyrnong Ordnance factory)
57 (Lot number)
9-39 (manufacture date September 1939)
The shell is stencilled:
ME (Filled at Maribyrnong Explosives factory)
10/39 (Filling date October 1939)
26 in circle (Filling lot number)
The case is an 18 pdr Mk IV made at MF in 1939, and the No. 1 Mk II primer was made at MF in 9/38 and filled at ME in 4/39.
Shells with original paint are always nice and I hope you enjoy looking at it.
Regards,
Graeme