20-Pdr Projectile

[ydnum303]

Hi all,
I recently acquired a flat-headed unfired 20-pounder projectile. Its overall length to base of "skirt" is 235mm, and on the side it is stamped as follows:-
D2 L 5564\E\256
20 LB
M1861
There are other faint, small stamps in various places which look like inspector's marks.
On the base is stamped
20 PR MK4
B SX45A S
PAT LOT12 757
It has about 50% of its original (?) greyish-black paint, (where the paint has gone there is light surface rust, most of which can be removed with a small brass-wire brush) and appears to be stencilled in off-white on the side:-
20 PR MK 4
D2 ) L ) 5564 /E/256
(Again, about 35% of the stencilling has gone). So my questions are:-
1. Is this a practice projectile or a proof one?
2. What is the meaning of the stampings on side and base?
3. Should I leave it as it is, or
a) just touch up the missing stencilling, or
b) get rid of all the rust with Kur-Rust or similar, and do a complete repaint?

 

[SG500]

Any chance of a photo?

Dave.

 

[ydnum303]

No, sorry. Don't have a working digital camera at present!

 

[ozziammo]

20Pdr FNP

Howdy ydnum303,

Does your 20Pdr Flat Nose Proof look anything like these?

LH is HE/AP proof, RH is APDS proof.

Regards Ozzi.

 

[ydnum303]

Hi Ozziammo,
Yes, it's exactly like the one on the left, even looks to have the same stamps and stencilling. However, mine has a lot less paint than yours. So, I presume that this is an "issue" Proof proj, rather than an experimental of any kind, so probably not particularly scarce. Any idea what the stamps/stencils mean? (OK, I understand the "20 PR MK 4", but if this is Mk 4, what were the previous Mks, and how did they differ?)
Many thanks,
R.