Need Some Help Identifying this Old Shell Casing

[Aragorn243]

Can anyone ID this?

I personally believe it is Japanese but no idea to what. I've researched this extensively since I saw the photos and have no idea. Photos of Japanese shells are not very common. Due to the size, I'm thinking maybe anti-aircraft or naval. Described as 16" tall and 3" shell diameter which would make it 76.2mm which matches several of their guns but I can't find a case length anywhere.

Confirmed it is Japanese: Showa 8/16 = August 1941

Information

Warning: This is a relatively older thread This discussion is older than 360 days. Some information contained in it may no longer be current.

[browningautorifle]

I had a look around too Steve but not much info available on these. You may have to do the detailed metric measurements to help, case mouth and length, rim diameter and measurements up the case... Nice piece regardless.

[Aragorn243]

Apparently I caught the attention of some big boys, I posted a similar question on a facebook forum.

This is from the British Ordnance Collectors network:

It is a Japanese marked case, but my initial thought about being 1st Tokyo Army Arsenal was incorrect.
S 8 16 is clearly the date. showa 8 16, which is August 1941.
Above S 8 16 it appears that there is an anchor with twin cross arms that are bent like two upside down W, this anchor symbol is the inspection mark of Kure Naval Arsenal.
There is a kanji inspection mark 可 below the S 8 16
There is a kanji inspection mark on the primer
I have never seen RVJ or the encircled C on a case.
Next to the encircled C appears to be a naval sakura flower symbol
I now think this is a Japanese naval case, and 3” x 16” would seem to indicate that it may be a 76.2x407R

And a second post:

These measurements would point towards a British export case for the Japanese Navy, a fixed ammunition version of the British 12pdr 12cwt used for anti-aircraft work from WW1. The primer is of a British style and the 2 different sets of markings would make sense for an export item. The Japanese knew the gun as the 8cm Type 3 anti-aircraft gun which armed the Ise and Fuso class battleships, plus other smaller ships. The case should measure 76.2x409, with a rim diameter of 104mm. Not a common case for the British gun in Royal Navy service even in the UK, still looking for one!
I understand the British would not be exporting to Japan in 1941, but the Japanese markings may indicate the case being refilled or reused after being exported much earlier when the gun entered service. One source indicates the gun may have entered service with the Japanese Navy in 1915.

[jonnyc]

BOCN is a great ammo site to visit and hang out.

[Aragorn243]

BOCN is a great ammo site to visit and hang out.

Unfortunately they apparently aren’t accepting new members right now. I tried joining and the link is currently turned off by the administrator.

[jonnyc]

There was a problem a bit back with some kind of "fake member info" but I thought that was all fixed. I'll ask.

[jonnyc]

On-going problems with their automated membership system. Lots of robots were joining and spamming members. No fix yet, so they just shut down the joining system.
Sorry. Don't stop visiting. If you have something to post I can do it for you.

[Aragorn243]

Is there a non-automated way to join these sites?

Thanks for the offer of communicating for me but I have no idea what to communicate but would love to browse and learn. Not being a member doesn't allow me to search however. Pictures also won't work.

[jonnyc]

Not that I know of.
All I can offer is if you find something you want to see more of send me a PM or email and I'll try to capture it for you.
I'll post here if/when things there change. It really is a good ammo /ordnance site.