4.5 in Howr identification

[P38Man]

I'd appreciate some help please from the experts on British munitions. I've had this 4.5 inch howitzer for many years but I confess I know nothing about it. I've attached a photo of the base and a close-up of the primer but in case they are difficult to read these are the markings:

Base:
4.5 in Howr.
III
VAEL
1935 CF
Lot
10
S
(broad arrow)
SR
There's also a 'v' above the 4.5 inscription, and an 'x' below the 1935.


Primer:
No 1
II
SH&S (it's in longhand so the 'S' may be another letter?)
6/40
563
CY 7.40

It was picked up in Ireland so it might possibly(?) be part of their (British manufactured) equipment?

Many thanks in advance for the help.

 

[TimG]

4.5 in Howr. - Calibre and nature of ordnance.
III - Mark of case
VAEL - manufacturer – Vickers Armstrong, (Elswick)
1935 - Year of manufacture
CF – Case life history – one full (F) charge of smokeless powder (C)
Lot 10 – Production identifier
S within a diamond – Scleroscope and Mercurous Nitrate test stamp (test for hardness and propensity to crack)
A within a diamond – Low temperature annealing stamp
SR – I don’t know, possibly an examiner's stamp.


Primer:
No 1, II – Type and Mark of primer
SH&S – Manufacturer - Samuel Heath and Sons, Ltd. (Brass founders) 100 to 118 Leopold Street, Birmingham. “ Spinning” Victoria 2303 (5 lines)
6/40 – Date of manufacture
563 – Lot number of filling
CY – Filling factory – R.O.F. Chorley.
7.40 – Date of filling.

TimG

 

[P38Man]

Wow - many thanks for the very comprehensive answer Tim!

Eric