WW1 4.5" Howitzer question.

[Cirus]

Hi all,

With reference to the attached picture, can anyone tell me the purpose of the hole? The edges of this hole are radiused, if that helps.

Regs
Cirus

 

[peteblight]

The 4.5" shell was often filled with chemicals through a hole in the side but the hole in your picture appears to be too high up.

Do you have other pictures of the complete projo?

Pete

 

[doctor]

Hi
The adapter is for 13 or 18 Pr shrapnel shell, the fuze N89 for 6 in Shrapnel shell and your shell is not 13, 18 pr and 6 in Shrapnel
I Call it Hybrid shell

 

[Cirus]

Hi Doctor,

Firstly thanks for your interest, you are correct reference the fuse etc. It is a 4.5" Howitzer HE shell. Any thoughts about the hole?

Regs
Cirus.

 

[dano1917]

4.5

Hi Cirus, my first thought was a demil hole, but there would be no need to radius such a hole, so in other words I know nothing...Dano

 

[doctor]

hi
If you have a little driving band on your shell sometime you have the filling plug hole for chemical on this place but the shells found are always repaired and i'm no sure that yours is one of these shells
I'd like to see the shell body to be sure

 

[Cirus]

Hi,

I'll post more pictures tommorow.

Regs
Cirus

 

[Cirus]

WW1 4.4" Howitzer-more pictures

Hi all,

Please find attached two more pictures regarding the unidentified hole on this WW1 4.5" Howitzer HE shell. I hope you find them useful.

Regs
Cirus

 

[peteblight]

Can you post the following measurements of the shell please?

Overall length

The width of the driving band

The distance from the top of the fuze well to the hole. (not including the fuze adapter).

A collegue of mine has a couple of ideas but i need these measurements to confirm it.

Thanks

Pete

 

[doctor]

hi
look strangely 4.5 in shrapnel body
how it's under the paint?

 

[2pounder]

4.5in how

Certainly looks shrapnell in size and shape, the adaptor is bit of a give away and there should be another joint about 50mm below the adaptor. would agree hole is too high for chemical filing. Can anyone confirm the length of the HE shell ? Thanks 2pr

 

[Cirus]

Hi,

Here are those measurements you requested:
a) Overall length of shell body only = 260mm (approx).
b) Drive band width = 30.50mm (approx).
c) Top of shell body to top of hole = 35.50mm (approx).
d) Diameter of hole = 8mm (approx).
I hope these produce a result.

Regs
Cirus

 

[Cirus]

Hi,

Yet to check under the paint.

Regs
Cirus

 

[Bonnex]

4.5-inch Shrapnel Mk I

Here is a diagram of the Mk I Shrapnel.

 

[Bonnex]

4.5-inch HE Shell - Lengths

.... Can anyone confirm the length of the HE shell ? Thanks 2pr

Mk V 13.37H 13.15L (inches)
Mk VI 13.35H 13.33L
Mk VII 13.26H 13.04L
Mk VIII 13.30H 13.10L

[Source: RL Dwgs]

 

[Andysarmoury]

Hi, This is my 4.5 HE the length of the shell is about 13 1/8 inches and with fuze is about 15 1/4 inches.
looking at the first pic's of the shell if you look closer you can see the join just under the hole so to me it looks like a shrapnel shell
Andy

 

[2pounder]

4.5 he

Thanks for the sizes, mine at 13.25 in appx confirms its what I thought it was. Perhaps it might be worth filling the hole and painting it up as shrapnell and fitting a no.82 fuze. 2pr

 

[Cirus]

Hi, This is my 4.5 HE the length of the shell is about 13 1/8 inches and with fuze is about 15 1/4 inches.
looking at the first pic's of the shell if you look closer you can see the join just under the hole so to me it looks like a shrapnel shell
Andy

Hi Andy,

Thanks for the interest and the picture, a very nice piece and a good colour reference to boot! But why paint it has a HE shell and what about the hole? I think a little juidicial paint removal is called for! It's a shame I can't get the adapter plate out to have a look inside.

Regs
Cirus

 

[Cirus]

Can you post the following measurements of the shell please?

Overall length

The width of the driving band

The distance from the top of the fuze well to the hole. (not including the fuze adapter).

A collegue of mine has a couple of ideas but i need these measurements to confirm it.

Thanks

Pete

Hi Pete,

With reference to the measurements, anymore thoughts and/or ideas?

Regs
Bernie

 

[Cirus]

Thanks for the sizes, mine at 13.25 in appx confirms its what I thought it was. Perhaps it might be worth filling the hole and painting it up as shrapnell and fitting a no.82 fuze. 2pr

Hi 2pdr,

It's a thought, but why the hole?

Regs
Bernie.