Unknown Large AP Fuze Cap

[Aragorn243]

Flea market find. Has markings, might have more under the paint. I don't think the paint is original in any way so not opposed to removing it.

Approximately 7" tall and 4 1/2" across the base.

Information

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[CINDERS]

I'm wondering due to its size that its from a Naval shell 15 or 16" as a 155mm fuse cap does not look that big as your measurements say.
Just my BWAG.

[Aragorn243]

I'm wondering due to its size that its from a Naval shell 15 or 16" as a 155mm fuse cap does not look that big as your measurements say.
Just my BWAG.

Guy I bought it from said it had to come off at least an 8” naval shell. I’m not sure it’s US. Doesn’t seem to have US markings.

[Aragorn243]

Some perspective perhaps. On the right is a 155 fuze for comparison.

[Flying10uk]

If you can find a "Broad Arrow" with a "N" next to it, it would indicate that it was Royal Navy.

[Aragorn243]

As it is, I can't see anything like that. at least until I take the paint off which I guess I'll have to do. I did try scraping it off but I think that's a bad idea. It doesn't come off easily and affects the marks. I'm out of citristrip so a trip to the store is required.

There's an A in a circle, an S in a square, a 38 in a circle and a 58 or 50 in a square. There are a couple other marks I can't make out along with all the numbers, but none look like a British arrow or an N. The one that sort of looks like a rolling Z in a circle, but it is only partially there, and cleaning didn't improve it.

I can't imagine this being Finnish from the S in the square even though they did have coastal defense ships with 10 inch guns. Seems the odds of a shell fuze showing up in central PA would be slim to none.

Odds are it's US but the markings just don't seem right. It has light green paint on the bottom which should be a clue. I think that is original, it doesn't show up in the photo well but is the outer circle. I've seen the color before but just can't place it.

[Aragorn243]

Did some searching this morning and found this photo. Looks visually very close. This is a shell from the US battleship Missouri. Maybe the red paint is original. No idea how tall the woman is but I measured my head and my wifes head, her's is actually bigger than mine but both of us are around 8". The base diameter comparing the bottom of the shell seems too large even though the profile looks correct. But measuring a photo is imprecise.

[CINDERS]

Shape and size of the cap seem very close to what you have Aragorn I staying with my summation.

[CINDERS]

But measuring a photo is imprecise.

If you could get either the dimensions of the base of the shell or the cordite containers in the background you could scale how many fit across the radius taking the size from the pictured round.

I'm also of the opinion the shorter round on the Rt is an A.P missing its ballistic cap it makes sense as they were a different type of projectile construction heavier and allot harder steel.

World War II and Korean War Deployments

AP Mark 8 Mods 0 to 8 - 2,700 lbs. (1,225 kg)

HC Mark 13 Mods 0 to 6 - 1,900 lbs. (862 kg)

For those interested here is a link with some very interesting information on the Iowa's and their main armament.
USA 16"/50 (40.6 cm) Mark 7 - NavWeaps

[Aragorn243]

No matter what I do, it seems this nose cap is approximately 1 inch too small. Perhaps it goes to a 14" shell.