Strange British (?) 2 inch flat head proof shot

[Rrickoshae]

Does anyone have any thoughts on this item? It’s a flat head shot which I suspect is mainly steel with a gunmetal lower envelope which incorporates a drive band. The top of the exposed steel is hatched.
it is marked; 2 in
D.D.L. 6075B. 3LB
O.C. 9891/20

it has obviously been fired through a rifled barrel. Any thoughts please

many thanks, Dave

 

[Rrickoshae]

There is also a small broad arrow within a diamond on the reverse which I take to be an inspectors mark.

 

[tigbrand]

Hi Dave Bonnex is the man with knowledge off ddl numbers, but maybe Tim or tom will know. Strange thing, bit like me!

 

[Alpini]

Nice shell. The lines on top are impressions from the steel wires of the wire frames from a "Le Boulenge" speed measuring chronograph (or a later improvement). It has impressions of four grids which could mean that it was fired two times or two speed measuring chronographs with some distance between them were used. These lines on such proof shots sometimes were also found on German firing ranges.

 

[Rrickoshae]

Hi Dave Bonnex is the man with knowledge off ddl numbers, but maybe Tim or tom will know. Strange thing, bit like me!

No, it’s not that strange Tony! Hope the weather holds for you

 

[Rrickoshae]

Nice shell. The lines on top are impressions from the steel wires of the wire frames from a "Le Boulenge" speed measuring chronograph (or a later improvement). It has impressions of four grids which could mean that it was fired two times or two speed measuring chronographs with some distance between them were used. These lines on such proof shots sometimes were also found on German firing ranges.

Ah, nice one Alpini! How intriguing. Many thanks, Dave

 

[TimG]

@Rrickoshae,
It is somewhat reminiscent of a Nordenfelt projectile. With the width of the lands and the space between them and the apparent absence of displaced metal, was this projectile pre-engraved?
The DDL is a Design drawing number. I think the OC number is reference to an Ordnance Committee minute.
The phoenix within a diamond is a material acceptance stamp.

TimG

p.s. DDL 8080 was a design from 1939, so this, one would presume comes from early WWII

 

[Rrickoshae]

@Rrickoshae,
It is somewhat reminiscent of a Nordenfelt projectile. With the width of the lands and the space between them and the apparent absence of displaced metal, was this projectile pre-engraved?
The DDL is a Design drawing number. I think the OC number is reference to an Ordnance Committee minute.
The phoenix within a diamond is a material acceptance stamp.

TimG

p.s. DDL 8080 was a design from 1939, so this, one would presume comes from early WWII

Many thanks for that Tim, that helps build a picture of this ‘thing’. Talking of which I found this picture on the WWW of a Le Boulenge speed measuring device.
Dave