WW1 German 77mm Shell Case

[Flying10uk]

Here is a recent acquisition, what is believed to be (according to the net) a 77mm X 227mm WW1 German shell case.

What I didn't know until looking this item up is that, apparently, the Germans didn't identify the size of the shell on the head stamp during WW1. Apparently the markings that are present, such as, date and inspectors markings, don't include the size.

77mm at open end

227mm length

[browningautorifle]

Nice piece...

[CINDERS]

Sp255 = Inspection mark for Patronenfabrik Karlsruhe 1916 - 1918 Germany.

St251 could be an inspection mark, St = Strengthened case (Stark)
(My information source had St46)

[browningautorifle]

The really old ones are getting hard to find now. I lucked into a 13Pdr 9Hwt at a small shop close by, was CHEAP at about $40CDN. I knew where to find the projectile, was not cheap. Cost me about $500CDN to put them back together. These all started as 18Pdr cases necked down and a 13 Pdr projee stuffed in, used for anti aircraft. Same shrapnel shell as the arty used. The projectile is a 75mm diameter.

[Flying10uk]

The really old ones are getting hard to find now.

And some on offer have been turned into trench art

[browningautorifle]

some on offer have been turned into trench art

Yes. That, or those don't interest me in the least. I was just over looking at a couple a friend has, he said he has dozens more and they were ALL trench art. Now days people will speak of WW2 trench art, showing they have NO idea of what they speak. Most don't realize the average WW1 trench art wasn't even done in a trench but instead a convalescent hospital rehab shop for crafts.

Anyway, if it's not got primer and projectile I'm not really interested, unless it's really scarce. And NO designs engraved...

[CINDERS]

The only other thing that I go for is patina sadly the unknowing polish them to within an inch of their lives which takes all its history away that's why about 98% of my gear is untouched.
If I do get a polished one it has to be a rarity like my brass cased Aiden round and like Jim will take it on board but if its a run of the mill case please no brasso.

Pic # 1 The bigger stuff.
# 2 The Aiden brass case rt side yellow/red.

[browningautorifle]

I go for is patina

Yes, I remember that part. Most here are already shone up so it's just how it is.

I have a couple yet on the way, four to be exact. Here's the cluster of bigger stuff...

[browningautorifle]

Two more showed up today, one 30mm x 173mm for the GAu 8 and an old 30mm x 126mm pre production.

The 30mm x 173mm is just longer than the 30mm Rarden AFV and this one was a function round.

The 30x126 mm round was developed in the 1950's for the Aden T 182 aircraft cannon. The copper band reads "*HVM-15-4255 30 MM T328* Shown beside the current Aden that sports an identical and misplaced T328 pattern projectile.

[Flying10uk]

Here is another WW1 shell case that I have and is believed to be exactly the same size as the one in Post 1. This one was purchased with several other shell cases by my late father from an antique shop in the late 1970's.

Although I don't tend to buy "trench art" I can appreciate an item if it is an original, period, piece that commemorates an event, such as a battle. I think that this one has been rather nicely done.

This one is very lightly, finely, hand engraved with a design that includes the name "Peronne" which is on the Somme and is where a number of battles were fought. I believe that the Australian army fought a major battle here during WW1.