Unknown signal cartridge

[Defender]

Hi,
the picture shows above 2 british MK12T green signal cases and on the right side the one in question (arrow). All cases comming from Denmark.
Signals MK11T (white), MK12T (green) and MK13T (red) were in use of the Danish Navy since 1953 and called 25 mm signalpatron m/53 there. A danish Navy-manual from that time says that the rounds are made in the UK.

The 2 ICI-mades above are regular british-style stencilled. But the one on the right is unusual stencilled. Is it possible that this one is from a special contract for Denmark (please note the "DK" on it)?

Any information will help.

Best wishes
Mat

 

[exat808]

The letters "SPRA" are the monogram of Schermuly Ltd of Dorking, Surrey UK manufacturers of a wide range of military and civilian pyrotechnic articles. DK would suggest supply to Denmark.

 

[roller63]

All I know about this is that SPRA stands for the Schermuly Pistol Rocket Apparatus Co. Ltd which was in Dorking, Surrey, UK around the time your cart was made. Tony.

 

[roller63]

Both posted together ! :tinysmile_twink_t2:

 

[exat808]

The manufacturer SPRA sadly no longer exists. With the passing of time it has seen mergers with other names in the UK military explosives field and modern variants of its products are now marketed by Chemring Defence.
Their company catalogue makes interesting reading.
A link to the pdf download is here -
www.chemringdefence.com/Download.aspx?ResourceId=12914

 

[exat808]

Just adding a bit more info on the British variants which may be applicable to Denmark as well - The rim of the cartridge was marked to aid night identification as follows -
Green signals had a smooth rim.
Red signals had a milled (notched) rim all round
White signals were milled half way round the rim
Yellow signals were milled a quarter way round the rim
Also the closing disc at the head of the cartridge had a raised symbol also to aide night identification as follows -
Green signals - raised triangle
Red signals - raised cross
White and yellow signals - raised circle

 

[Defender]

Thank you for your helpful answers.
Does SPRA exactly mean 'Schermuly Patent Rocket Apparatus' or 'S. Pistol R. A.'? I found both versions for the abbreviation ...

 

[Defender]

Ok, it's "Pistol" ... I found this on the I*net: http://www.flightglobal.com/pdfarchive/view/1948/1948 - 1493.html

All I need now is just a confirmation about DK = Denmark :tinysmile_twink_t2:

 

[exat808]

The DK must surely be Denmark. But was it added at the request of the Danes to ID the imported items or maybe at the request of the UK Government to distinguish items for export, or lastly was it just something that Schermuly did as a company policy?
An excellent web page here devoted to Schermuly and their products - lots of great photo links - www.cyber-heritage.co.uk/schermuly/

 

[Defender]

The DK must surely be Denmark. But was it added at the request of the Danes to ID the imported items or maybe at the request of the UK Government to distinguish items for export, or lastly was it just something that Schermuly did as a company policy?

Well, who knows after 56 years?
I tried to get informations from Denmark about it, but it seems that nobody knows something.