I was lucky enough to recently acquire an uncommon, perhaps unique, large shell case of a type I never knew existed. The case is 6” calibre, measures 830mm tall and was made by EOC (Elswick Ordnance Company) in 1910. Up to this point I was of the belief that the combined largest/tallest case made in Britain prior to WW2 was for the early 6” Naval gun, case measuring 590mm tall.
After some research it would appear that this case is for the 6” / 40 QF EOC Pattern guns which were supplied to various countries, including Argentina, Italy and Japan. There is reference to 6” / 40 guns being in British service, but not the EOC pattern that I could find. The markings on the base of the case are typical of other cases I have seen made by EOC for Japan, so I suspect this one was also destined for Japan.
It appears that Japan sent 15 of these guns back to Britain in 1915 and although I can find no reference to their use I would be surprised if we simply mothballed them.
The pictures below show the three types of 6” cases together with an AP projectile. The second picture shows a 12pr 12cwt case for scale and the other pictures are courtesy of the excellent Navweapons site, excellent for research and reference.
If anyone knows of another of these cases could they please add pictures, especially the headstamp.
After some research it would appear that this case is for the 6” / 40 QF EOC Pattern guns which were supplied to various countries, including Argentina, Italy and Japan. There is reference to 6” / 40 guns being in British service, but not the EOC pattern that I could find. The markings on the base of the case are typical of other cases I have seen made by EOC for Japan, so I suspect this one was also destined for Japan.
It appears that Japan sent 15 of these guns back to Britain in 1915 and although I can find no reference to their use I would be surprised if we simply mothballed them.
The pictures below show the three types of 6” cases together with an AP projectile. The second picture shows a 12pr 12cwt case for scale and the other pictures are courtesy of the excellent Navweapons site, excellent for research and reference.
If anyone knows of another of these cases could they please add pictures, especially the headstamp.
