Wanted: 4.5” Shell case, fuzes etc

[Mike Cecil]

Robert/Chris,

If you locate another, what you are seeking is the 4.5 inch Howitzer (Howitzer, QF, 4.5 inch, Mk I on Carriage, 4.5 inch Howitzer, Mk I) brass cartridge case of 2.92 inches overall length, with an overall base diameter of 5.205 inches.

The fuzes you are seeking are: the No.82 Mk.II time fuze, the No.17 Mk.III Direct Action (DA), Fuze No.44 DA, the No.82 Mk.III time and percussion (T&P) fuze, or the No.86 T&P. Any of these will screw into the 2 inch diameter neck of the 4.5 inch How projectile.

As an aside, the cartridge case, when filled at the factory, had five sections of propellant, each enclosed within a cambric bag. The cartridge case was closed with a leatherboard lid (like an inverted cup) with a cotton tape becket (lifting handle) stitched to the outside, so that, at the gunline, the leatherboard lid could be removed temporarily and charges not required for the particular fire mission removed before re-inserting the lid and loading the cartridge into the breech after the projectile was loaded and rammed. It's called 'QF Separate' ammunition.

Mike