Help identifying trench art markings

[NeelsNB]

Hi there,

 

I recently purchased a set of trench art casings and am having difficulty identifying the markings on the bottoms. One seems to have many more markings, which I believe means the shell had been used more than once. 
 

Any help deciphering the marking in both would be greatly appreciated!

[FROGSMILE]

There are two sets of markings, one on the outer shell case and one on the primer cartridge that you can see has been inserted (screwed into) the centre.  The marks usually comprise a Lot Number (this is a code to identify a batch of shells or cartridges that were all made at the same time so that if any are faulty they can be traced).  Also another mark to identify where (factory) the shell was made (filled), and when.  Then there are also filling type (e.g. cordite) and ‘acceptance’ marks, the latter impressed after manufacture to inspect quality (a form of quality control).  The two shells you have are from an 18 Pounder Mark II Field Gun.  You can read more detail about shell markings and their meaning here: 

1.https://bulletpicker.com/pdf/Explanatory List of Service Markings.pdf  (page 26 ‘tubes’ plus page 64 and Plate IV)

2.https://ator1149.home.xs4all.nl/wfm/ww1/ammunition2.html

One of your primer cartridges was made by the Bethlehem Steel Corporation (BSC) from USA, probably as a contract supplied to the UK, the other at National Filling Factory No. 12 (F 12), Cardonald, Renfrewshire, Scotland.

Edited 3 October , 2022 by FROGSMILE

[14276265]

First cartridge case made by Kynoch (K), filled full charge cordite once and fired once; Lot no. 134. No.1 MkII primer made by the Gramophone Company (stylus and gramophone symbol) and filled NFF12 Cardonald.

Second cartridge made by Canadian Cartridge Co., Hamilton, Ontario (CCs), acceptance tested 18 November 1916 at inspection station 6. Filled twice and fired twice. Repaired at Midland Railway Derby (MRY) before refilling, hardness tested (S.) and annealed (A.); Lot code GRU. No.1 MkII primer made by United States Cartridge Co., USA (US in a circle - BSC).

 

 

Edited 3 October , 2022 by 14276265

[FROGSMILE]

3 minutes ago, 14276265 said:

First cartridge case made by Kynoch (K), filled full charge cordite once and fired once. No.1 MkII primer made by the Gramophone Company (stylus and gramophone symbol) and filled NFF12 Cardonald.

Second cartridge made by Canadian Cartridge Co., Hamilton, Ontario (CCs), acceptance tested 18 November 1916 at inspection station 6. Filled twice and fired twice. Repaired at Midland Railway Derby (MRY) before refilling, hardness tested (S.) and annealed (A.) No.1 MkII primer made by United States Cartridge Co., USA (US in a circle - BSC).

 

 

Fantastic detail.  You could have written that linked manual !!

Edited 3 October , 2022 by FROGSMILE