Hi,
Well, some moons ago I posted an ID request of a projectile that was back then still located in Japan. I completely drew blanks then. It is now safely in Europe, and better images and measurements have now been obtained.
Here's what I know:
-The measurements were taken accurately, they have been given in the attached image. The calibre measures out close to 87mm, with a length of 248mm. I assume the official calibre to be anywhere between 84mm and 90mm, with the 88mm calibre being a very good candidate one.
-The location where the driving band used to be appears to be distinctly odd. It appears to have had a single, thin, driving band. I see no grooves or other means by which it would have been attached to the projectile.
-The 'ring' covering the mouth opening is not original to the projectile: it covers part of the screw thread and the shear pin hole.
-I see no bourrelet; very "un-Japanese".
-The engravings are Japanese commemorative engravings recollecting the Russo-Japanese war of 1904-1905. Chances are extremely good that this is a Russian or German captured projectile, from around that era. It should be noted that not all Japanese commemorative items were engraved at the very moment of the actual battles; some were done post war.
-No other markings can be discerned with certainty (neither on the sides, nor on the bottom), though there are two locations that may have carried a (2 digit?) number and possibly also markings like "|." (without quotes).
-This projectile by no means resembles anything Japanese that I have documentation on. It is very different in make from the Japanese 88mm and 90mm projectiles.
Here's what I'd like to know:
-A full ID, of course.
-If a full ID is not possible; does the make of the projectile strike someone as 'typical' of a specific country? Somehow it has a very Russian feel to me. German (88mm) also seems a real possibility. From a British one I would somehow have expected more markings, but who knows... Chinese is a further remote possibility, but I have no documentation on old Chinese ammo.
-Any ideas??
Thanks in advance and cheers,
Olafo
Well, some moons ago I posted an ID request of a projectile that was back then still located in Japan. I completely drew blanks then. It is now safely in Europe, and better images and measurements have now been obtained.
Here's what I know:
-The measurements were taken accurately, they have been given in the attached image. The calibre measures out close to 87mm, with a length of 248mm. I assume the official calibre to be anywhere between 84mm and 90mm, with the 88mm calibre being a very good candidate one.
-The location where the driving band used to be appears to be distinctly odd. It appears to have had a single, thin, driving band. I see no grooves or other means by which it would have been attached to the projectile.
-The 'ring' covering the mouth opening is not original to the projectile: it covers part of the screw thread and the shear pin hole.
-I see no bourrelet; very "un-Japanese".
-The engravings are Japanese commemorative engravings recollecting the Russo-Japanese war of 1904-1905. Chances are extremely good that this is a Russian or German captured projectile, from around that era. It should be noted that not all Japanese commemorative items were engraved at the very moment of the actual battles; some were done post war.
-No other markings can be discerned with certainty (neither on the sides, nor on the bottom), though there are two locations that may have carried a (2 digit?) number and possibly also markings like "|." (without quotes).
-This projectile by no means resembles anything Japanese that I have documentation on. It is very different in make from the Japanese 88mm and 90mm projectiles.
Here's what I'd like to know:
-A full ID, of course.
-If a full ID is not possible; does the make of the projectile strike someone as 'typical' of a specific country? Somehow it has a very Russian feel to me. German (88mm) also seems a real possibility. From a British one I would somehow have expected more markings, but who knows... Chinese is a further remote possibility, but I have no documentation on old Chinese ammo.
-Any ideas??
Thanks in advance and cheers,
Olafo
