Artillery shell identification?

[Dhahvar]

Hello all, 

 

I've recently acquired an item described as WW1 trench art. My knowledge on the subject is rather lacking, so I was wondering if anyone would be able to identify the markings on the item and let me know if there's any sense to be made from them? 

 

The item is 9cm/3.5" in diamater and the markings on it appear to be:

TOP: 2 70 91 (Very faded and hard to make out - may not be accurate) 

BOTTOM: A  RS I 1487 15 D (may not be a D)

 

Would appreciate any help you can offer. 

 

Thanks! 

[peregrinvs]

I think it’s a cartridge case (not shell) for a French Model 1897 75mm field gun. The worn markings at the top would be 75 DEC.

 

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Canon_de_75_modèle_1897

[Dhahvar]

That's brilliant, thank you! 

[Dhahvar]

 

5 hours ago, peregrinvs said:

I think it’s a cartridge case (not shell) for a French Model 1897 75mm field gun. The worn markings at the top would be 75 DEC.

 

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Canon_de_75_modèle_1897

 

Thanks again for this information and yes, it appears to be made from a cartridge, not a shell.  Apologies for my mistake.  If I may ask for further clarification, I have done some further research and based on your deductions have managed to find the following head-stamps, clockwise from 12 o'clock:

 

Marking	Meaning	Explainer
75 DE C	Canon 75 de Campagne	Type of field gun for use
D (faded, unclear)	Unknown	Unknown
15	1915	Year of production
1487	Unknown	Unknown
I	Société de Métallurgie Franco-Belge de Issy-les-Moulineaux	Metal provider/producer
A RS	Atelier de Construction de Rennes	Manufacturer

 

So it would follow that this cartridge was produced in 1915 in Rennes using French-Belgian metal, for use in the French model 1897 75mm field gun.  Would anyone be able to provide further insight into what the 1487 and 'D' markings may mean?  This is absolutely fascinating!

 

Again, many thanks for your time.
 

[14276265]

The I is an L - for Lot, so Lot 1487. The brass supplier is D - Atelier de Fabrication, Douai.

[Dhahvar]

24 minutes ago, 14276265 said:

The I is an L - for Lot, so Lot 1487. The brass supplier is D - Atelier de Fabrication, Douai.

 

Thank you very much for this clarification!  Updated decipher below.

 

Marking	Meaning	Explainer
75 DE C	Canon 75 de Campagne	Type of field gun for use
D (faded, unclear)	Atelier de Fabrication, Douai	Metal provider/producer
15	1915	Year of production
L 1487	Lot 1487	Lot number
A RS	Atelier de Construction de Rennes	Manufacturer

Edited 14 September , 2020 by Dhahvar