Help identifying an heirloom - 13 pdr case

[curiousshellcase]

Hi all - I'm new here and after exhausting Google for the last few hours was wondering whether anyone could shed some light on this heirloom I have inherited ... I know its a 13 pdr shell casing which appears to have been manufactured by Allen everitt in 1916 - I had been considering making it into something useful (not sure what yet) to pass on but if it's particularly rare or valuable I'll not start chopping it up! 

Any help at all would be appreciated! 

 

Tia 

 

[Alexander McLean]

Hello, Tia -

Welcome to the forum!

I can't answer your question in the way you frame it, but I can't help stating my opinion about converting your shell case into something else.

Assuming that your shell case is still approximately 313mm (the original length), it is a desirable collector's piece.  [The 13-pounder shell cases are much more scarce the the relatively common 18-pounder cases, and it took me some time to find a nice 13-pounder case for my own collection.]  Consequently, I think that it would be a shame to alter it in any way and so I hope that you will decide to leave it as it is - a nice WWI collectible.  After all, once it is altered, it loses most of its value.

Also, if it is an heirloom, it may have value to future owners in your family as a memento of an ancestor's WWI service in the field artillery.

This is just my personal opinion, of course.

Regards, Torrey

 

[Dave66]

7 minutes ago, Alexander McLean said:

Hello, Tia -

Welcome to the forum!

I can't answer your question in the way you frame it, but I can't help stating my opinion about converting your shell case into something else.

Assuming that your shell case is still approximately 313mm (the original length), it is a desirable collector's piece.  [The 13-pounder shell cases are much more scarce the the relatively common 18-pounder cases, and it took me some time to find a nice 13-pounder case for my own collection.]  Consequently, I think that it would be a shame to alter it in any way and so I hope that you will decide to leave it as it is - a nice WWI collectible.  After all, once it is altered, it loses most of its value.

Also, if it is an heirloom, it may have value to future owners in your family as a memento of an ancestor's WWI service in the field artillery.

This is just my personal opinion, of course.

Regards, Torrey

 

I would agree with that, took me ages to find one and 18 pdr’s everywhere……I have seen these converted into lamps with a piece of oak turned to fit the open end, and a light fitting attached to that with the cable trailing behind…no damage whatsoever that way and a usable way to display/use.

Dave.

[curiousshellcase]

Cheers Dave and yeah - trouble is I'm a bit old so would want to drill into it to make cables nice and tidy but think I'll hold fore for a bit until I can find some more info, thanks commenting and letting me know it wasn't just me looking in the wrong places ! 

 

[curiousshellcase]

Hi Alexander , apologies i somehow missed your initial reply! Thank you for all the onfo and based on what you've said I think. I'll leave it as it is, do you have any idea on a rough estimate of value? 

[Alexander McLean]

Hello -

I'm relieved to learn that you will preserve this nice piece as is.  I don't think that you will regret your decision.

I don't know current values, since it has been a long time since I collected shell cases.  Even if I knew, the forum rules would prevent me from citing values.  I suggest that you visit a military show or two and show it some some reputable dealers.

Good luck!

Regards, Torrey

[curiousshellcase]

Many thanks Alexander, really do appreciate you taking the time to reply

Will take it to a local one thays near me in July, wish me luck!

[Dave66]

I can tell you I paid £10 for mine, from the local Malvern flea market in February this year…I’m sure a specialist dealer would charge more, but how much I can’t say.