6pdr Hotchkiss - or is it? And if so, what date - Victorian?

[Rrickoshae]

evening all!

Please see the attached photos of a 6pdr MkIII common pointed shell. The drive band has an 'N' stamped in it , the shell is stamped 'III' on the side and on the base 'MR'. The base fuze is stamped 'Hotchkiss Patent II EOC' but no date.

Can anyone tell me why there is an N in the drive band - does it stand for Nordenfeld, who were MR and as the fuze is a Hotchkiss type manufactured by EOC does this point to it being Victorian rather than early 20th C - any ideas of the date?

A big ask with little to go on I know but there are usually experts out there who actually do know these things!

Sorry the photos are not 'daylight' crisp.

many thanks in anticipation

Dave

 

[highlandotter]

this is a Hotchkiss style projectile and is very likely made by Nordenfelt as the rotating band is Nordenflelt . Probably came with an EOC case. The fuze could have been added later or was bought from Hothkiss.

 

[Rrickoshae]

many thanks for that, any thoughts on the approximate date?
regards, Dave

 

[highlandotter]

EOC was gobbled up by Armstrong in 1897, and my guess would be llae Victorian, but things get muddy around there, Nordenfelt made many rounds with no markings and few with dates. When generous, they stamped a few with a N!

 

[Rrickoshae]

EOC was gobbled up by Armstrong in 1897, and my guess would be llae Victorian, but things get muddy around there, Nordenfelt made many rounds with no markings and few with dates. When generous, they stamped a few with a N!

OK, that sounds good - as you say most likely late 19thC.

many thanks for the info

regards, Dave