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Leather cordite carrier Navy

M

Michel

Well-Known Member
Hello all,

Today I picked up this leather container, which I believe is a Navy cordite container but tell me if I am wrong. I have searched the forum but there is not much info on this object. I have seen them called Clarkson cases or cordite carriers but this turns up no new info on the net. The few photos that I have seen all date from earlierer years, and they all have transfer printed "coats off arms" on them.

But this one is dated 1944 and because off its size it would be a very large charge bag (12 inch ?). I could not image this beeing on board of a ship in WW2 with all the ammo hoists around and the powder chutes I have seen pictures off. Maybe a WW1 gun in coastal defence duty?

The charge off a Naval 12 inch gun would be about 307 lbs (139.3kg) maybe the charge is divided in I, II, III containers because off the weight (the lid on this one reads I)?

A lot of questions about this object but no certain answers hopefull somebody has some info on this subject.

Measurements are inside diametre 12.4 inch (31,5 cm) height total 29.9 inch (76 cm)

P1310055.jpgP1310053.jpgP1310054.jpg

Greetings Michel
 
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I might have something is a 1915 manual, though if the Army didn't use these it might not show up. You need to find a Navy ordnance manual of the time or 1930s.
 
Here are a couple of images showing another one of these leather cases. This one was manufactured by the same company BH&G (they also made webbing during the war) but appears to be asmaller size and has a different number. There is obviously a Naval system to these, just a matter of finding the document that explains it. The 1915 Ammunition Treatice has one example in it.

IMG_5812.jpg


IMG_5811.jpg
 
Hello,

Thanks for your help.i could not find it in the ammunitions treatice of 1936. But this set me on the trail of a book called ammunitions handbook naval 1935 which i do not have but i'am going to search for it.

Greets Michel
 
Michel,

A couple of images taken from BR932 1945 which is available in the download section, Hope this goes partway to answering your questions.

Web 143clarkson.jpgWeb plate34.jpg
 
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Hello Richard,

This is what I was looking for. Thanks for you help I can't blow up the picture so I can read it but I will find it in the download section.

Here is another couple of pictures for the people who like this stuff.
It's a Royal Navy WW 1 cordite chest much like the images next to the clarkson case pictures.

P2060057.jpgP2060058.jpgP2060059.jpg

Richard perfect help.

Groet Michel
 
Thanks Tom.
I'll post a photo of the date on the inside of the one in the "Restoring a cordite bucket" post. Think its dated 1897 so quite an early one.
 
Simon, thanks for the restoring post. I wanted to put the top of my bucket in order and you handed a guide how to do this.
 
As promised some photos of the cordite bucket I restored and other the Numbers I am still trying to work out.
I think it is a fairly early one and wonder what the system for numbering was and if it changed.


DSCN3499.jpg DSCN3500.jpgDSCN3504.jpgrestored 3.jpg

No.s to top Lid Inside lid Date Top of Side

Also RCD & Broad arrow to top T 07500 Diameter is 20" and not reduced in height.

RCD for Royal Chatham Dockyard.
 
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