carninyj Posted 3 January , 2005 Share Posted 3 January , 2005 Can anyone tell me a bit more about this shell case, actually a piece of trench art bought home by my son's great grandfather. What calibre is it? It's 104 cms across the base at its widest point. It was obviously made in 1917 and I'm told the 'C F' means 'cordite full charge'. The 'RL' presumably refers to place of manufacture, e. g. 'Royal L ...'? Anyone know where? I can make nothing of the other marks. Do they mean anything? Look forward to your views. Rehards Carninyj Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Posted 3 January , 2005 Share Posted 3 January , 2005 RL stands for Royal Laboratory, Woolwich, which is where the cartridge case was made. It tells you nothing, however, about when and where it was filled. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
carninyj Posted 3 January , 2005 Author Share Posted 3 January , 2005 Angie999, thanks for those pieces of information. Regards Carninyj Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Old Tom Posted 3 January , 2005 Share Posted 3 January , 2005 Hello, If the 105 mm dimension is across the rim, the calibre of the gun would be somewhat less. I would suggest it would be the 18 pdr. The next largest gun was the 4.5" howitzer i.e about 110 mm. Not very precise, but may be helpful. The fairly modern field gun is 105 mm. Regards Old Tom Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Myrtle Posted 3 January , 2005 Share Posted 3 January , 2005 One of the shell cases that I have is about 103 cms in diameter and is marked 18 PR. It also has II marked under these letters. Also on the base there are the letters EOC interlinked with a B underneath and it's dated 1917. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
carninyj Posted 3 January , 2005 Author Share Posted 3 January , 2005 Thanks to you all for the replies. The measurement is across the rim, and none too accurate. It isn't marked as an 18 pdr., though I thought that is what it might be. I understand they were the most common field gun and, as has been said, the next bigger guns are much larger. Is there any chance it could have been an older, smaller calibre? Incidentally, at what point would brass cases have been replaced by charges in bags? 6 inch? 9.2inch? Would the broad arrow & T indicate the case had passed a test for strength? If so, how would that be done? Regards Carninyj Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
arie Posted 4 January , 2005 Share Posted 4 January , 2005 Hello, what is the lenght of the case? The 18 pdr is 84x295 mm. with a rimdia. of 102 mm. The 13 pdr-9 cwt is 76.2x295 mm. with a rimdia. of 103 mm. The 4.5" is 114x74 mm. (mkI case) or 114x86 (mkII case) both with a rimdia. of 131 mm. My guess it's an 18-pdr. The I at 12 o'clock indicates the mark of the case. Usually above this is mentioned the calibre but due to polishing this can vanish over the years. (an ammunition collector for this reason doesn't polish his cases ) Bag charges were used for 60-pdr, some 6" and everything above the latter but also for some smaller ones. Regards Arie Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
carninyj Posted 4 January , 2005 Author Share Posted 4 January , 2005 Arie, thanks for your imput. I cannot tell you the length; the case has been remodelled into a kind of vase, it being shortened for that purpose. Regars Carninyj Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Peter B Posted 4 January , 2005 Share Posted 4 January , 2005 Hello Have you looked at this site, has lots of info on shell case markings for your future refrence. http://home.hetnet.nl/~supersmit/ww1/stamps2.html Regards Peter Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
museumtom Posted 4 January , 2005 Share Posted 4 January , 2005 Excellent site Peter. Thanks. Tom Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
carninyj Posted 4 January , 2005 Author Share Posted 4 January , 2005 Thanks Peter. Most useful. Carninyj Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Myrtle Posted 4 January , 2005 Share Posted 4 January , 2005 Peter Thanks for pointing out the site. Very useful. Myrtle Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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