LarryF264
Member
Hi All,
Greetings from the USA. This is my second post as a new member. I mainly collect SAA, but I also have caught the bug to collect and learn about larger ordnance. I only have a few large caliber items in my collection so far and would like to share photos of one below. I am hoping that some of the experts here can shed more light on what I have and when it might have been made and/or used.
I recently acquired this inert 37mm Hotchkess Mle 1892 cartridge (at least that's what I believe it is). I've done some research on BOCN and elsewhere on the web and I think I have a basic idea of what the cartridge is, but I am not an expert and would like some confirmation (and correction if necessary). I think I raised more questions than answers in my research. I also posted this on the IAA Forum (https://forum.cartridgecollectors.org/t/37x94r-mle-1892-hotchkiss-questions/38308) but I am hoping to find more about this cartridge here.
I believe the case is a 37x94R Hotchkiss model 1892 (Mle 1892) based on the headstamp (Px 92). I assume this means Puteaux Mle 1892. Would this necessarily make it a French load? Or would other countries have used this headstamp (perhaps loaded in France for another country)? I was told based on the headstamp that it was made at Atelier de PUTEAUX (Px) in 1892 and the projectile markings (circled L, flaming bomb and anchor) indicate acceptance by the French navy. Does any of this sound accurate? And would the model date also indicate date of manufacture (that would seem unusual to me)?
If it is a naval round, what gun(s) would have been used? Maybe the Hotchkiss rotary cannon or Maxim? And what time frame/wars would this particular round have been used in? When did it become obsolete?
There are several markings on the case:
Headstamp markings:
LOT. 47 with a round dimple near the 7
a larger 0
Px 92 (the x appears like it might have something under it like a short underline or dot, but it could also be a mark from handling)
a smaller 0
Case neck marking: B493B
Faded ink stamp on side of case near head:
might be AUG 1959 (?) or something similar
If the date is from the 1950s this seems late for a cartridge of this type. Does anyone know what either of these other markings are on the side?
Projectile:
I’ve seen references to the projectile as penetrating (AP) LE (black powder I assume) and also HE. Can anyone confirm which or if both (LE or HE) were used at different times? If HE was also used, what was the composition?
The empty case also contains a thick felt wad that looks like it just fits through the neck, but I don’t know if this was used in the original or not (no photo, but I can probably dislodge it from the case if anyone wants a photo).
Markings on the side of the projectile: E.31
The bottom line looks like maybe a circled L, flaming bomb and anchor.
The steel base plug also has a marking on the bottom (and two spanner holes), but I cannot tell what the marking is (possibly another flaming bomb?). And there is a number 12 stamped on the top edge of the plug.
I know I have asked a lot of questions. Any information would be appreciated! Thank you!
Best regards,
Larry
Greetings from the USA. This is my second post as a new member. I mainly collect SAA, but I also have caught the bug to collect and learn about larger ordnance. I only have a few large caliber items in my collection so far and would like to share photos of one below. I am hoping that some of the experts here can shed more light on what I have and when it might have been made and/or used.
I recently acquired this inert 37mm Hotchkess Mle 1892 cartridge (at least that's what I believe it is). I've done some research on BOCN and elsewhere on the web and I think I have a basic idea of what the cartridge is, but I am not an expert and would like some confirmation (and correction if necessary). I think I raised more questions than answers in my research. I also posted this on the IAA Forum (https://forum.cartridgecollectors.org/t/37x94r-mle-1892-hotchkiss-questions/38308) but I am hoping to find more about this cartridge here.
I believe the case is a 37x94R Hotchkiss model 1892 (Mle 1892) based on the headstamp (Px 92). I assume this means Puteaux Mle 1892. Would this necessarily make it a French load? Or would other countries have used this headstamp (perhaps loaded in France for another country)? I was told based on the headstamp that it was made at Atelier de PUTEAUX (Px) in 1892 and the projectile markings (circled L, flaming bomb and anchor) indicate acceptance by the French navy. Does any of this sound accurate? And would the model date also indicate date of manufacture (that would seem unusual to me)?
If it is a naval round, what gun(s) would have been used? Maybe the Hotchkiss rotary cannon or Maxim? And what time frame/wars would this particular round have been used in? When did it become obsolete?
There are several markings on the case:
Headstamp markings:
LOT. 47 with a round dimple near the 7
a larger 0
Px 92 (the x appears like it might have something under it like a short underline or dot, but it could also be a mark from handling)
a smaller 0
Case neck marking: B493B
Faded ink stamp on side of case near head:
might be AUG 1959 (?) or something similar
If the date is from the 1950s this seems late for a cartridge of this type. Does anyone know what either of these other markings are on the side?
Projectile:
I’ve seen references to the projectile as penetrating (AP) LE (black powder I assume) and also HE. Can anyone confirm which or if both (LE or HE) were used at different times? If HE was also used, what was the composition?
The empty case also contains a thick felt wad that looks like it just fits through the neck, but I don’t know if this was used in the original or not (no photo, but I can probably dislodge it from the case if anyone wants a photo).
Markings on the side of the projectile: E.31
The bottom line looks like maybe a circled L, flaming bomb and anchor.
The steel base plug also has a marking on the bottom (and two spanner holes), but I cannot tell what the marking is (possibly another flaming bomb?). And there is a number 12 stamped on the top edge of the plug.
I know I have asked a lot of questions. Any information would be appreciated! Thank you!
Best regards,
Larry