Seeking help to confirm identity of shrapnel shell with no.64 fuze - 12pr, 15pr or something else?

[Manipled Mutineer]

I would be very grateful for help in identifying this recent acquisition of an inert (I believe British early c.20th shrapnel) shell and fuze. It was sold to me as either a 12pr or 15pr shrapnel. The fuze is a no.65 dated November 1900 (cancelled) and January 1912. The shell body, having been painted, has no remaining markings and the measurements don't seem to quite tally with what I have found so far online about either type. The shell (excluding fuze) is 8.75" tall, with 3/4" between the base of the shell and the driving band, the band itself being 7/8". The approximate base diameter is 2 7/8" but there may have been some loss due to corrosion. (For the same reason there are no marks visible on the base.)

 

[HAZORD]

Many of the older UK projos have their identity engraved into the base. Any writing down there?

 

[Manipled Mutineer]

Many of the older UK projos have their identity engraved into the base. Any writing down there?

Thanks Hazord, unfortunately none that is visible now as the base has been corroded in the past.

 

[Dronic69]

The fuse was originally a No 56 - Nov/1900. (denoted by the "IV" stamp which was issued with a single time ring with a burning time of 13 secs.
It was converted to a No 65 in 1912 by fitting new time rings & dome. Further the rings were filled with a slower powder.
As per Hazord comments above, the identity stamps were on the base and most 15pdrs had them stamped on the projectile side as well.

 

[Manipled Mutineer]

Thanks very much Dronic69; I was aware that the No.65 was created by repurposing earlier fuzes but not of the significance of the IV, and I hadn't connected the 1912 date with that conversion, so you have kindly filled a gap in my knowledge. Unfortunately the marks on the projectile itself have been effaced so I think I will have to rely on a comparison of measurements.