help identifying mortar case

harmann320 · January 8, 2012, 01:37 AM

I have this old mortar casing. I believe it is from WWI.

The markings are

VL
(an eagle underneath)
wdf 14

1914
65
10 cm
M10

this shell may be russian or austrian.

i've attached a few pictures. apologies for the blurriness, and the pictures being in reverse. helpful nonetheless

Photo on 1-8-12 at 12.35 AM.jpg

Photo on 1-8-12 at 12.36 AM.jpg

Photo on 1-8-12 at 12.36 AM #2.jpg

thank you for any information!!

**Mike Irwin** · January 9, 2012, 07:49 AM

Not a mortar caseing. It's a shell casing for a field gun.

How about a picture of the entire case (side view)?

And, how long is it (mm) and how big is it across the mouth of the case?

Hum... a little web research on the markings suggest that this may be for a German gun.

SDC · January 9, 2012, 10:29 AM

We'd need a little more info on this (case length) to know for sure; both the Germans and Austrians used 10cm field guns during WW1, but the markings look German.

mapsjanhere · January 9, 2012, 01:51 PM

Well, as you can see if you mirror the picture

it's a WW I 10 cm base.

harmann320 · January 11, 2012, 11:43 PM

thank you so much for the help!

January 8, 2012, 01:37 AM	#1
harmann320 Junior Member Join Date: January 8, 2012 Posts: 2	help identifying mortar case I have this old mortar casing. I believe it is from WWI. The markings are VL (an eagle underneath) wdf 14 1914 65 10 cm M10 this shell may be russian or austrian. i've attached a few pictures. apologies for the blurriness, and the pictures being in reverse. helpful nonetheless Photo on 1-8-12 at 12.35 AM.jpg Photo on 1-8-12 at 12.36 AM.jpg Photo on 1-8-12 at 12.36 AM #2.jpg thank you for any information!!

January 9, 2012, 10:29 AM	#3
SDC Senior Member Join Date: January 23, 2001 Location: People's Republic of Kanada Posts: 1,575	We'd need a little more info on this (case length) to know for sure; both the Germans and Austrians used 10cm field guns during WW1, but the markings look German. __________________ Gun control in Canada: making the streets safer for rapists, muggers, and other violent criminals since 1936.

January 9, 2012, 07:49 AM	#2
Mike Irwin Staff Join Date: April 14, 2000 Location: Northern Virginia Posts: 33,097	Not a mortar caseing. It's a shell casing for a field gun. How about a picture of the entire case (side view)? And, how long is it (mm) and how big is it across the mouth of the case? Hum... a little web research on the markings suggest that this may be for a German gun. __________________ "The gift which I am sending you is called a dog, and is in fact the most precious and valuable possession of mankind" -Theodorus Gaza Baby Jesus cries when the fat redneck doesn't have military-grade firepower.

January 11, 2012, 11:43 PM	#5
harmann320 Junior Member Join Date: January 8, 2012 Posts: 2	thank you so much for the help!