I have had this projectile for a number of years and have only now had a chance to look at it in detail. Before I started cleaning it it was encrusted with what appeared to be very hard sand mixed with rust. No paint was visible. Having now cleaned it a good amount of original paint survives. It appears to be painted red, over painted with a white band at the top and there are some remnants of grey on the red of the body.
The projectile has a typical driving band found on early British shells , particularly the 12, 14, 15pr and 2.95" ones, and there is no cannelure groove. The adapter is original to the shell and takes the 22/31 French fuze. The projectile measure 75mm x 279mm. As can be seen from the before and after picture of the base/inside this was a base eject shell.
I cannot find any reference to this type of star shell construction with the driving band and fuze combination. It is similar in design to the French star shell with a British driving band.
I’d welcome any ideas on exactly what it is.



The projectile has a typical driving band found on early British shells , particularly the 12, 14, 15pr and 2.95" ones, and there is no cannelure groove. The adapter is original to the shell and takes the 22/31 French fuze. The projectile measure 75mm x 279mm. As can be seen from the before and after picture of the base/inside this was a base eject shell.
I cannot find any reference to this type of star shell construction with the driving band and fuze combination. It is similar in design to the French star shell with a British driving band.
I’d welcome any ideas on exactly what it is.


