Antique artillery shell markings

Andyspiros · December 18, 2012, 08:29 PM

Hey guys, couldn't really find the proper avenue for this question, so I hope you gentlemen can help. I have a large antique artillery shell that I dug up in a garden a few years back. It has the markings 7m 131 44 and xiv encircling the spent primer. Any ideas what we got here? Thanks.

Doc Hoy · December 18, 2012, 11:50 PM

I am assuming you are talking about an empty case.

Might be helpful to know the exact length of the case, the diameter of the base of the case, what it appears to be made of and such.

Willie Sutton · December 19, 2012, 08:12 AM

And narrowing it down to what continent would be help too....

Willie

.

Scorch · December 19, 2012, 02:08 PM

44 is most likely the year the case was loaded, that would be 1944.

bedbugbilly · December 19, 2012, 07:45 PM

+1 to what Scortch said.

Also . . . . if it is the casing, is it brass or steel? If it's steel, it most likely is a "practice round" but you don't mention a projectile so I'm guessing it's brass?

Diameter and length would really help. . . . and perhaps a photo or two.

indy1919 · December 20, 2012, 01:46 AM

Is anyone else out there a little concerned that there may be a slim chance this shell may still be somewhat live???? It was dug up..

Doc Hoy · December 20, 2012, 04:49 AM

...Andy said the primer was spent. I understand that does not mean the round is completely inert.

indy1919 · December 20, 2012, 07:43 AM

Just wanted it said just in case anyone was thinking of "working" on it

Also To Andy could really use a few photos here.... So far this has been like a naughty book with no photos

Andyspiros · December 22, 2012, 12:26 PM

Lol I appreciate the concern, but when I said "spent primer", I was also implying that when the primer was struck it ignited the propellant inside of the large shell and fired whatever projectile was lodged in there a long time ago. I don't believe it to be brass, more likely steel but I suppose I can look into that a bit further. My tape measure is at work, but by eye I'd say it's about 30" high, with a diameter of roughly 6 to 7 inches around....definitely on the large side. I'm on an I phone but I'll try to get some pictures up here ASAP, along with the sword and canteen I dug up in the same area as the shell. Oh and Willie, I found all of these items and more on a large property in Monroe Connecticut. Thanks guys

Andyspiros · December 22, 2012, 12:29 PM

Bedbug and doc, after a light cleaning i can see that it's brass.

Doc Hoy · December 22, 2012, 12:49 PM

This is getting interesting.

**4V50 Gary** · December 22, 2012, 12:59 PM

Pics should be posted and at The Company of Military Historians' website. There are artillery experts on that board.

December 18, 2012, 08:29 PM	#1
Andyspiros Member Join Date: December 12, 2012 Posts: 36	Antique artillery shell markings Hey guys, couldn't really find the proper avenue for this question, so I hope you gentlemen can help. I have a large antique artillery shell that I dug up in a garden a few years back. It has the markings 7m 131 44 and xiv encircling the spent primer. Any ideas what we got here? Thanks.

December 18, 2012, 11:50 PM	#2
Doc Hoy Senior Member Join Date: October 24, 2008 Location: Chesapeake, VA Posts: 3,348	Andy I am assuming you are talking about an empty case. Might be helpful to know the exact length of the case, the diameter of the base of the case, what it appears to be made of and such. __________________ Doc My reading of history convinces me that most bad government results from too much government. Thomas Jefferson

December 19, 2012, 02:08 PM	#4
Scorch Senior Member Join Date: February 13, 2006 Location: Washington state Posts: 11,039	44 is most likely the year the case was loaded, that would be 1944. __________________ Never try to educate someone who resists knowledge at all costs. But what do I know? Taylor Machine

December 19, 2012, 07:45 PM	#5
bedbugbilly Senior Member Join Date: November 19, 2009 Posts: 1,320	+1 to what Scortch said. Also . . . . if it is the casing, is it brass or steel? If it's steel, it most likely is a "practice round" but you don't mention a projectile so I'm guessing it's brass? Diameter and length would really help. . . . and perhaps a photo or two. __________________ If a pair of '51 Navies were good enough for Billy Hickok, then a single Navy on my right hip is good enough for me . . . besides . . . I'm probably only half as good as he was anyways. Hiram's Rangers Badge #63

December 20, 2012, 04:49 AM	#7
Doc Hoy Senior Member Join Date: October 24, 2008 Location: Chesapeake, VA Posts: 3,348	Indy...More than a little bit, But... ...Andy said the primer was spent. I understand that does not mean the round is completely inert. __________________ Doc My reading of history convinces me that most bad government results from too much government. Thomas Jefferson

December 19, 2012, 08:12 AM	#3
Willie Sutton Junior member Join Date: January 26, 2012 Posts: 1,066	And narrowing it down to what continent would be help too.... Willie .

December 20, 2012, 01:46 AM	#6
indy1919 Senior Member Join Date: February 15, 2011 Posts: 208	Is anyone else out there a little concerned that there may be a slim chance this shell may still be somewhat live???? It was dug up..

December 20, 2012, 07:43 AM	#8
indy1919 Senior Member Join Date: February 15, 2011 Posts: 208	Just wanted it said just in case anyone was thinking of "working" on it Also To Andy could really use a few photos here.... So far this has been like a naughty book with no photos

December 22, 2012, 12:26 PM	#9
Andyspiros Member Join Date: December 12, 2012 Posts: 36	Lol I appreciate the concern, but when I said "spent primer", I was also implying that when the primer was struck it ignited the propellant inside of the large shell and fired whatever projectile was lodged in there a long time ago. I don't believe it to be brass, more likely steel but I suppose I can look into that a bit further. My tape measure is at work, but by eye I'd say it's about 30" high, with a diameter of roughly 6 to 7 inches around....definitely on the large side. I'm on an I phone but I'll try to get some pictures up here ASAP, along with the sword and canteen I dug up in the same area as the shell. Oh and Willie, I found all of these items and more on a large property in Monroe Connecticut. Thanks guys

December 22, 2012, 12:29 PM	#10
Andyspiros Member Join Date: December 12, 2012 Posts: 36	Bedbug and doc, after a light cleaning i can see that it's brass.

December 22, 2012, 12:49 PM	#11
Doc Hoy Senior Member Join Date: October 24, 2008 Location: Chesapeake, VA Posts: 3,348	Hmmmmm. This is getting interesting. __________________ Doc My reading of history convinces me that most bad government results from too much government. Thomas Jefferson

December 22, 2012, 12:59 PM	#12
4V50 Gary Staff Join Date: November 2, 1998 Location: Colorado Posts: 15,424	Pics should be posted and at The Company of Military Historians' website. There are artillery experts on that board. __________________ Vigilantibus et non dormientibus jura subveniunt. *Molon Labe!*