18pdr shrapnel

[Andysarmoury]

Hi, I picked this relic 18pdr up the other day, Its not been fired but has had the drive band removed at some point, It still had its powder tin stuck in the bottom (empty I might add) which I manged to get out and the pusher plate is still there, no marking at all, any idea why it has a ridge around the neck of the shell as all the ones I have seen are plane ?.
Cheers
Andy

 

[Darkman]

The rebate around the lip of the shell is to hold the fuze cover on for a No. 85 fuze. So it will be a mk VIII or IX shell or one that used a No. 85 fuze. I have a drawing somewhere which I’ll try to find.

 

[Andysarmoury]

The rebate around the lip of the shell is to hold the fuze cover on for a No. 85 fuze. So it will be a mk VIII or IX shell or one that used a No. 85 fuze. I have a drawing somewhere which I’ll try to find.

That's great and many thanks Darkman.
Cheers
Andy

 

[Darkman]

Andy,

Here’s the drawing of the No. 85 fuze from the 1917 handbook for 18 Prs. Not quite accurate as the rebate is closer to the top of the shell, but you get the idea. It appears that these fuze covers also had a tear off strip.

Regards,

Graeme Davenport

 

[Andysarmoury]

Andy,

Here’s the drawing of the No. 85 fuze from the 1917 handbook for 18 Prs. Not quite accurate as the rebate is closer to the top of the shell, but you get the idea. It appears that these fuze covers also had a tear off strip.

Regards,

Graeme Davenport

Thanks Graeme, I will have to keep a look out for one and cover. going to see if I can re-band it a bit later.
Cheers
Andy

 

[Petrock]

Looks to me like someone took home a shell from the factory, prior to loading of any of the good stuff. There is no lacquer on the inside, so they took it right after it was milled to this shape.