4.5 inch Mk VI naval case.

[Michel]

Bought this one because it did not seem a common case that was already in my collection. But the headstamp was not showing so I took a gamble and bought it. I am guessing that the case has been fished out of the water, the only thing showing was the date 1940 and a faint N. I did a little cleaning and the headstamp is showing a bit better. Its a Navy 4,5 inch Mk VI case, on NavalWeapons.com (very nice site) the lenght was described as 114x664R but this one is 114x698R and I think this is made for the Mk I / MkIII / Mk IV guns. The case does not follow the gun marks, but I think its for these guns. Maybe someone can clearify this.

 

[Hoeksel]

The 4.5 inch MK VI case should be 114x695R166 so your case seems to be of original length.

 

[Vasco Da Gama]

Afternoon Michel, my understanding is you have a case from the WW2 version of the 4.5in British gun. The gun was initially designed for the Royal Navy as a fixed round in the Mk1 and 3 versions. The Mk2 was a land based version used as a heavy anti-aircraft gun, particularly around ports, thus simplifying ammunition supply. You do find cases without the N stamp, indicating these were for land use. The Mk4 gun was purely for Naval use and used separate loading ammunition. There is a picture of a case from this version in my post for the 4.7in gun in this section. So I would offer your case is for the Mk1, 2 or 3 versions of the gun.