18pr cartridge clip

[stripeyman]

I have four of these clips and all have the orangy red paint as you can see on the photo.

Can anyone tell me what thius signifies ?

[RobL]

Can't help, but all the ones i've seen do too

[nigelfe]

Painted red to make them obvious, and thus help ensure that they were removed before attempting to load the round. (and probably to help ensure they were fitted when ammo was repacked if the battery moved)

[auchonvillerssomme]

I thought the orange painted arm was the one that was levered off.

[Pete_C]

I have four of these clips and all have the orangy red paint as you can see on the photo.

Can anyone tell me what thius signifies ?

Bob,

I'm fairly sure it's colour coded to identify the round as shrapnel rather than HE or something else. Although the casing of 18pdr shrapnel rounds was similarly coloured black overall with red band(s), the colour coding of the clip meant a round could be quickly identified in the heat of battle before being withdrawn fully from the limber.

Cheers

Manxy.. .

Edited 1 March , 2013 by Manxy

[auchonvillerssomme]

Yes I thought it was more likely the case that it identified the arm.

[stripeyman]

Thank you one and all.........

Another answer from the famous GWF !

Bob