peregrinvs
Well-Known Member
#wellchuffed...
Almost exactly 3 years ago I picked up a MkI 18 Pounder cartridge case made by VSM in 1906. On Sunday I picked up a matching MkI 18 Pounder shrapnel shell made by VSM in 1906 with matching 1906 dated No.80 I fuze. The fuze is made by Coventry Ordnance Works rather than VSM, but 'twould be churlish to grumble...
Both the case and shell were picked up for good prices, so it is still possible. In the case of the latter, the seller was firmly under the impression that the “fuse socket” was missing. I was looking at it while he was explaining this in some detail and thinking ”Nope. I can see the fuze adaptor ring right there in front of me”. It IS loose fitting in the neck of the shell due to the neck expanding slightly when the shell detonated which may have confused him. He also seemed to think it was an HE shell.
I've had an eye out for a non-rusted 18PR shrapnel for a while, so to get a pre-war one that matches a case I own was a double bonus. Just need a MkI 13PR shrapnel now - I have a pre-war MkI case, but it has a WWI MkII shell in it.
Almost exactly 3 years ago I picked up a MkI 18 Pounder cartridge case made by VSM in 1906. On Sunday I picked up a matching MkI 18 Pounder shrapnel shell made by VSM in 1906 with matching 1906 dated No.80 I fuze. The fuze is made by Coventry Ordnance Works rather than VSM, but 'twould be churlish to grumble...
Both the case and shell were picked up for good prices, so it is still possible. In the case of the latter, the seller was firmly under the impression that the “fuse socket” was missing. I was looking at it while he was explaining this in some detail and thinking ”Nope. I can see the fuze adaptor ring right there in front of me”. It IS loose fitting in the neck of the shell due to the neck expanding slightly when the shell detonated which may have confused him. He also seemed to think it was an HE shell.
I've had an eye out for a non-rusted 18PR shrapnel for a while, so to get a pre-war one that matches a case I own was a double bonus. Just need a MkI 13PR shrapnel now - I have a pre-war MkI case, but it has a WWI MkII shell in it.
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