Artillery Shell markings

[Matt Dixon]

Can anyone decipher the markings on the bottom of a shell case for me. I have tried scanning it in, but the case is too corroded. I have had to rub over the bottom of the case with paper and a pencil. I have had the shell case for several years, and hours of scrutiny under a light with a magnifying glass have enabled me to get the following:

Starting the top and working downwards, left to right it reads:

S ? (undecipherable, possibly a D)

H.L 143

AUG 1917 (presumably the year it was made)

67% CU (Chemical symbol for copper?)

HL35

[Chris Noble]

Just an idea Matt.

HL, Haniel Luege, Dusseldorf? The following numerals being inspection marks?

Chris.

[Max Poilu]

It sounds like the common German 77 mm shell charge case - I stand to be corrected but I believe the following may be possible:

S ? This is most likely "Sb" or "Sp" - German manufacturers marks "SiegBurg" or "SPandau" Having said that according to my reference "Sb" was also used by StassBurg.

H.L 143 - Brass manufacturer (as Chris says - "Haniel Luege" of Dusseldorf) followed by acceptance/QC marks.

AUG 1917 Yes - year of manufacture.

67% CU Yes - denotes the quality of the brass alloy - 67 % copper

German shells were not as profusley marked as British shells but there should certainly be an indication of calibre (77mm) somewhere.

[Max Poilu]

Here is a (not very good!) picture of one I had that came out of the ground - showing the typical red copper colour as the alloy seperates over time.

[egbert]

Some infos are here:

http://home.hetnet.nl/~supersmit/ww1/stamps2.html