a big brass shell: need some help!

[MaskedK]

Hello from France

I've found this big brass shell today.

It's nearly 59 cm high, the diameter on the top is 75 or 76 mm.
There is some sand inside and outside.
I can read some marking:
WNY (Watervliet Arsenal?)

3in RF or RE

and at least: EHCL and WLL

What can you tell about the purpose of this shell (wich gun, wich era?)

thank you by advance and my apologize for my bad english



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Best regards from France

Jean Loup

 

[Falcon]

This is an American 3" 50 Calibre naval shell case.

I believe W N Y stands for Washington Naval yeard, and 8-1906 is the date (August 1906). This is an early case as, according to wikipedia, the gun entered serivce around 1902.

Here is some more information on the gun:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/3″/50_caliber_gun

 

[MaskedK]

thank you for your answer.



Jean Loup