25pdr manufacturers stampings puzzles (well it puzzles me anyway)

[Rrickoshae]

hi all, please see the attached photos of a couple of 25pdr shells that have me puzzled. The first 2 show the base of an HE MkI. after the broad arrow and CL there is 'LOT' then nothing but then what could be a date '3.39' and then '54 9' which could also be a date although it would be unusual for it to be shown year and then month. Equally, in my experience, having a full stop between the month & year is unusual, it normally being a ' /'. The original paint is mid buff and not the more yellowish colour normally seen in early war shells. Was this a 1939 shell re-manufactured in 1954? (it came filled with an inert wax, with a pale blue paint finish but that was a modern water based paint which came off easily without having any effect on the underlying mid buff)

The third photo shows a 25pdr Mk2 BE Smoke. The stampings read
A1
BE SMK
25 PR
Mk2 - AUST
FS IPG
8/45 87

does 'AUST' indicate Australia and if so why? And what does IPG stand for?

Any thoughts?

many thanks, Dave

 

[TimG]

With respect to the HE -

What are the markings on the side?

Is that CL or CI?

Is that a Roman I or an Arabic 1 (after Mk.)?

With respect to the BE

I would hazard a guess at it being a Mk. 2 Australian Pattern

As for IPG, as it follows FS (Forged steel) I would guess at it being the forgemaster's code letters (shown when the forgemaster is not the steelmaker).

TimG

 

[Rrickoshae]

hi Tim, the only markings in the side of the HE are a small broad arrow .75 inches above the drive band and 2 inches down from the mouth 'NCC80' (it could be NCC60 or NCCS0 - the penaltimate number or letter stamp is incomplete).
On the base, it is definitely 'CL' and an Arabic '1'.

thanks for the info on the smoke - any idea what the difference was for the 'Australian' pattern?

regards, Dave