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Old December 18, 2012, 07:29 PM   #1
Andyspiros
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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.
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Old December 18, 2012, 10:50 PM   #2
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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.
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Old December 19, 2012, 07:12 AM   #3
Willie Sutton
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And narrowing it down to what continent would be help too....


Willie


.
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Old December 19, 2012, 01:08 PM   #4
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44 is most likely the year the case was loaded, that would be 1944.
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Old December 19, 2012, 06:45 PM   #5
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+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.
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Old December 20, 2012, 12:46 AM   #6
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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..
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Old December 20, 2012, 03:49 AM   #7
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Indy...More than a little bit, But...

...Andy said the primer was spent. I understand that does not mean the round is completely inert.
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Old December 20, 2012, 06:43 AM   #8
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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
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Old December 22, 2012, 11:26 AM   #9
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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
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Old December 22, 2012, 11:29 AM   #10
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Bedbug and doc, after a light cleaning i can see that it's brass.
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Old December 22, 2012, 11:49 AM   #11
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Hmmmmm.

This is getting interesting.
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Old December 22, 2012, 11:59 AM   #12
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Pics should be posted and at The Company of Military Historians' website. There are artillery experts on that board.
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