Some WWI German 77mm Rounds

[MINENAZ16]

Sorry I should clarified, thanks to M8owner, the length without fuze of the shell is 255mm, so, same as Gr96n/A.

And I found this one in my archive, externally similar to gr96 n/A, same length, threaded 45mm and thick walls (so could be a Gr14/96).
Same shell as M8owner's one.

 

[Alpini]

@Doctor: I think 279 mm length with fuze is for the K.Gr.14(11) with K.Z.14 or K.Z.11 but not with Dopp.Z.96. Length without fuze is better compareable:

243,30 mm: K.Gr.14(11), K.Gr.15
254,00 mm: K.Gr.14(96), F.Gr.96, F.Gr.96 A (with screwed head)

@Minenaz16: yes it's also a K.Gr.14(96) for sure!

The "F.Gr.96" was made of cast steel. The "F.Gr.96 A" is made from forged steel. The inner cavity of the 96 A was drilled out - to make the drilling process possible it had a separate screwed head because the drill diameter is larger than the 45 mm thread diameter. After machining, the shape inside and outside was the same for both '96 models. In most military manuals both were named F.Gr.96 n/A (with crimp grooves). The older F. Gr. C/96 without grooves only existed in cast steel without screwed head.

 

[pzgr40/42]

Amazing collection!!!
The K Gr. 15 m. P. (or "m. P und L.") , the AP round (and it's tracer equivalent) are quite hard to come by in any condition.
Iff anyone here has a source / "want's to let go off", feel free to drop me a line!
Same for the 5,3 and 5,7 cm K Gr. m. P!

Best regards.

 

[tigbrand]

This thread is very interesting, and even though they may have made millions like the common 18pdr they are not easy to find! I would like a positive ID on this shell please. Looking at the original pictures I assume this to be picture 6 a universal HE/Shrapnel? Length is aprox 242mm and the fuze well is aprox 53mm. Its marked SP 18 which I take to be spandau arsenal 1918. If this is correct is the correct fuze a KZ14? thanks Tig

 

[Alpini]

Yes it's the universal shell "F.K.G.11". You need a K.Z.11 fuze, very hard to find. Not the K.Z.11 Gr. The SP18 stamp is the acceptance stamp. 18 is the number of the responsible acceptance officer. There are more stamps on the side the base and inside the shell.

 

[tigbrand]

Thanks Alpini for the information, can you post a picture of this fuze? I have a few fuzes at my parents and will check when I can get back. Also the pic no 6 I mentioned earlier shows this in grey with a white top, would this be painted underneath in red oxide paint first? Many thanks Tig.

 

[Alpini]

The Passion and Compassion website shows a lovely example: http://www.passioncompassion1418.com/decouvertes/fusees_collection_all.html#KZ11

Yes I think red oxide paint was used as a primer first.

 

[tigbrand]

Thanks Alpini for your help, I have only had a very poor fuze of that type and its gone. I will struggle to find another to fit the shell. I think there are remains of the red oxide on the shell still though,this should have protected the metal. Cheers Tig:bigsmile:

 

[starshell]

Hi Tig,

Hope this'll help out a bit. In this case the fuze is in good nick, but the shell looks to have been skimmed sadly, so no stamps.
Still, its the only universal shell I have in the collection. I have a spare fuze adapter (18mm high) if needed.
Cheers!

 

[Vasco Da Gama]

I thought to add a couple of pictures to this very useful thread. The variations on the projectiles for the 77mm have always had me guessing on what I had in the collection, so here goes! I think the photos show a 1896 pattern HE, with a transit cap which came with it, 254mm. The fuze pocket is 45mm and will take a Dopp Z/96a. The second projectile is a 1915 pattern HE, fuze pocket of 55mm diameter, 244mm. Standing by to be corrected!

 

[Weasel]

I have this old German 77mm shell, not really my area of interest and not sure what it is other than a boat tailed HE projectile made by Krupp with an alloy EKZ 16c fuze, The fuze is very tight and i have not been able to remove it, well not tried very hard as dont want to damage the alloy, obviously repainted at one point. Can anyone add anymore info on it type / use.
Best Weasel

 

[doppz92]

It's a C-Geshoss for the FK16 gun, with what looks like an EKZ16C fuze. That's the only boat tail projectile of the 7.7cm family and it was meant to be used in the longer barrel FK16 only, presumably with these cases which don't show any crimping marks. The maximum range was 10,600 meters, a lot more than that of a K.Gr.15 Geshoss fired with Charge #2 (super). I have been after one for years, so if you decide to part with it, I'll find a very good home for it.

 

[Weasel]

Thank you doppz92 for your reply and the information, its an item i had no info on.
Best Weasel

 

[pzgr40/42]

Question regarding the K.Gr. 15 m P. (und L). The original painted one seems to have another colourscheme than WW1 sources would have it (Red tip, Black body + White band above the driving belt for the tracer (und L) one). Am I correct in seeing the body in dark green? Does the red band denote tracer? Would this be an interbellum paintscheme or a scheme used by another user than Germany?