What's new
British Ordnance Collectors Network

This is a sample guest message. Register a free account today to become a member! Once signed in, you'll be able to participate on this site by adding your own topics and posts, as well as connect with other members through your own private inbox!

Japanese WW2 Shell Case info please

D

Deckape

Well-Known Member
Hi everyone

I picked this up at a flea market in the far east a couple of years back, i was told it was found deep in a forest and was WW2 Japanese. I have managed to work out it is from a type 94 37mm AT Gun and it was made by the Nagoya Arsenal but thats about it. It measures 165mm tall and is 37mm at aperture. Can anyone tell me what the other characters mean ? Is there a date amongst them ?
Appreciate any help, cheersDSCF3670.jpgDSCF3672.jpgDSCF3674.jpg
 
It's dated January 1939 (Showa 14).

Bottom four symbols of your last photo: 1 is the month (January), then there are two kanji symbols for 4 and 10, finally the kanji for the dynasty, Showa. 1925 is Showa 0.



Tom.
 
Last edited:
Thanks Tom, much appreciated. Had a look at a few sites with good info on but wasn`t getting anywhere, cheers !!
 
Jim, thanks for that. Pretty sure its a steel case. I was in Malaysia which as I`m sure you know was invaded by the Japanese during WW2. It was on a stall in a kind of boot/yard sale and cost me about 12 after a haggle ! Its the only Japanese item i have and i liked it as it was from a country that was invaded by them.
All the best, great pics on your site by the way, amazing !

Drew, i don`t think its been plated, just polished up over the years but i suppose its possible, thanks for the comment.

Great to hear views from people around the world with a common interest, take care guys

Nigel
 
Try putting a magnet to it. I have never heard of Japanese steel cases. I may well be wrong as I don't know much about Japanese ordnance.
 
Hi,

Wow, looking at the pictures that really DOES look like a steel casing, and it would be strange that the casing would be chromed, and the primer not, but....
...your headstamp carries the "notorious F", and so far my research has shown that this (almost certainly) was only present on brass casings; ALL steel casings I've come across so far had a single Kanji marking at the position (normally around 12 o'clock) where the 'F' appears on brass casings. By all means please do perform the magnet test; if it's steel it'll be attracted VERY strongly to it.

In light of the presence of the 'F', for me it would be the find of the year if indeed it's steel. I'd almost bet my left arm on it not being steel, but well, I'm not quite prepared to go that far. ;)
My guess would be chromed too.
Either way: I'm very curious to find out.

BTW: some stuff that wasn't fully mentioned above in the transcription of the markings: indeed it's from January, Showa year 14, being 1939. The casing was made at the Nagoya arsenal. I can't read the markings on the primer with full certainty but it was definitely made at the Tokyo arsenal, and if I've read the date correctly it's from May 1942 (month 5, Showa year 17).

Cheers,
Olafo
 
Last edited:
Falcon said:
Try putting a magnet to it. I have never heard of Japanese steel cases. I may well be wrong as I don't know much about Japanese ordnance.
Click to expand...

The japanese made quite some steel cases but not the same qty. as brass. Hard to find nowadays.
 
ogreve said:
Hi,

Wow, looking at the pictures that really DOES look like a steel casing, and it would be strange that the casing would be chromed, and the primer not, but....
...your headstamp carries the "notorious F", and so far my research has shown that this (almost certainly) was only present on brass casings; ALL steel casings I've come across so far had a single Kanji marking at the position (normally around 12 o'clock) where the 'F' appears on brass casings. By all means please do perform the magnet test; if it's steel it'll be attracted VERY strongly to it.

In light of the presence of the 'F', for me it would be the find of the year if indeed it's steel. I'd almost bet my left arm on it not being steel, but well, I'm not quite prepared to go that far. ;)
My guess would be chromed too.
Either way: I'm very curious to find out.

BTW: some stuff that wasn't fully mentioned above in the transcription of the markings: indeed it's from January, Showa year 14, being 1939. The casing was made at the Nagoya arsenal. I can't read the markings on the primer with full certainty but it was definitely made at the Tokyo arsenal, and if I've read the date correctly it's from May 1942 (month 5, Showa year 17).

Cheers,
Olafo
Click to expand...

Hi Olafo
Firstly thanks for your further info on my shell case. After all the comments i too was keen to get a magnet on it and find out if it was steel. Well, your left arm would have been safe as no magnetic pull at all so i guess it is brass. i will try and get a better pic of the primer markings if possible and post in a day or so. Thanks again for all your interest and help.
All the best
Nige
 
Hi,

You're welcome!
It's good to see I would have gotten to keep my left arm! ;)
It's also good to see that my research efforts regarding the 'notorious F' predicted this outcome really well, despite the pictures making it VERY much look like a steel case! :p

Cheers,
Olafo
 
Hi
Please find attached better pic of the primer markings, can you confirm that the prev info you gave is correct re Tokyo Arsenal from May 1942 ? Look forward to hearing from you, thanks again.
NigeDSCF3671.jpg
 
Hi,

Yes, it reads precisely that. The star and the Kanji directly to the left of it are for the Tokyo arsenal, and the date was read correctly as 'month 5 of Showa year 17' (i.e. may 1942).

Cheers,
Olafo
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Top