Help needed identifying cartridge

[Hallibag]

Hi,

Does anyone recognize this cartridge? It's quite large, at about 30mm. To my eye, it looks British, from the WW1 era or perhaps a bit earlier. The headstamp markings are a mystery to me, though. I've never seen anything quite like it, so I'm really hoping that somebody can help with a positive identification of what it might be:

[UK Cousin]

Measure the length of the casing if you can. If its 3 inches then I'd believe it to be a .577 nitro express round for an elephant gun.

[Anderson]

But if the diameter is 30mm, (larger than 1 inch which = about 24mm) then it can't be .577 which would be about 15mm.

It's not an aircraft cannon shell is it?

[Hallibag]

Thanks for the replies. The diameter is 30mm, and the length of the brass casing is 97mm (almost 4"). As the bullet is a simple lump of lead, I doubt this is an aircraft cannon shell. Also, I find it interesting that there appears to be an adjustable fuse in the base.

[Anderson]

The lump of lead may not be the original projectile, that could have been stuck in there later. The mix of the calibre and short casing suggests to me an aircraft cannon shell. But most, not all, were rimless. Interesting one.

[damianb]

Could it be for a Nordenfelt gun?

[zwerge]

Could it be for a Nordenfelt gun?

The measurments seem right for the 1 inch Nordenfelt....25.4x95r......Pete.

[MAP]

Not that I know what I'm talking about but an interesting thread.

Here are a few links of examples

RARE BRITISH 1” NORDENFELT CARTRIDGE — Horse Soldier

Nordenfelt Ammunition

[Hallibag]

Hmmm, maybe it is some oversize version of the Nordenfelt cartridge, 30mm instead of 25.4mm...

[zwerge]

You need to measure the inside diameter of the mouth...where the projectile is sticking out......Pete.