Posted: 8/8/2016 4:41:17 PM EDT
I have had this thing for years. I got it as a kid at some yardsale, and never really did anything with it. It now serves as an ashtray 
It was obviously something that someone cared a lot about, seeing as the painstaking "dot work" stenciled on the sides. It clearly says U.S ARMY with the Eagle and union crest, and on the other side has what I assume to be a unit patch or something but that is really hard to make out. It also has numbers imprented on the bottom, but no amount of googling has produced a result. I have looked on shell identification websites, and just can't seem to find one that looks like this. It seems to small to be a mortar, and too small to be any kind of tank shell. I was thinking maybe a recoiless rifle or something. Anyone have a clue on what it went in? 
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Ha! I sorta know this one!
After WWII, lots of GIs took home souvenirs. Spent artillery/tank/AA casings were really popular. Naturally, there wasn't much use for them, so a lot of folks turned them into projects and made decorative candleholders, ash trays, napkin rings, vases, etc. My guess is 40mm AA shell for a Bofors gun. They were really common guns on all sides and would have been a dime a dozen at the end of the war. |
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75mm French Artillery Shell from World War 1. would be my guess. Decorated up with some Trench Art. ETA: Yep a Google Image Search reveals a shell with almost identical headstamps. I sent you a PM, I really would love to know what It went in. I have been wondering for a long time and would love to finally know what it is. For size reference its exactly as tall as a pack of smokes. |
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75mm French Artillery Shell from World War 1. would be my guess. Decorated up with some Trench Art. ETA: Yep a Google Image Search reveals a shell with almost identical headstamps. This, 75mm French field gun, same gun we used, and ultimately the same case that was used in the 75mm Sherman gun. Your shell is French, and cut down, probably for use as a pencil holder on a desk..., |
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It went in this: https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/b/b9/Canon_de_75_front.jpg The French 75. It was one of the most iconic and beloved guns of the war. It was originally longer: http://www.warrelics.eu/forum/attachments/equipment-field-gear/540036d1373988019-shell-case-markings-75mm-1-.jpg Trench art from 75's is not rare but it's very cool.  Is that at the museum at Ft. Sill? |
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Is that at the museum at Ft. Sill? Quoted:
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It went in this: https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/b/b9/Canon_de_75_front.jpg The French 75. It was one of the most iconic and beloved guns of the war. It was originally longer: http://www.warrelics.eu/forum/attachments/equipment-field-gear/540036d1373988019-shell-case-markings-75mm-1-.jpg Trench art from 75's is not rare but it's very cool. Is that at the museum at Ft. Sill? Les Invalides in France according to the caption on wiki. We took quite a few back with us though, if you recognize that weird protrusion at the muzzle you were probably looking at it's sibling at Ft. Sill. |
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TRENCH ART
75 MM cannon. Hydropneumatic recoil system. French considered it top secret. Prior to its use cannons would just roll back (no recoil mechanism) and would have to be rolled back in place and aimed. 75 would just recoil, the hydropneumatic system would delayed the impulse and slide back into battery. Aimed rate of fire was much greater than previous muzzleloaders, french 75 recoil mechanism video After every shot, elevation is confirmed prior firing |
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Les Invalides in France according to the caption on wiki. We took quite a few back with us though, if you recognize that weird protrusion at the muzzle you were probably looking at it's sibling at Ft. Sill. Quoted:
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It went in this: https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/b/b9/Canon_de_75_front.jpg The French 75. It was one of the most iconic and beloved guns of the war. It was originally longer: http://www.warrelics.eu/forum/attachments/equipment-field-gear/540036d1373988019-shell-case-markings-75mm-1-.jpg Trench art from 75's is not rare but it's very cool. Is that at the museum at Ft. Sill? Les Invalides in France according to the caption on wiki. We took quite a few back with us though, if you recognize that weird protrusion at the muzzle you were probably looking at it's sibling at Ft. Sill. Yeah, we had a bunch of them on the TO&E...the piece is clean and well cared for, and the display clean and well done, just like inside the building at Sill, so that's why I thought Sill. Easily the best artillery museum I've ever seen, surprise, surprise! |
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The French 75...also a classic cocktail from WWI.
French 75 French 75 is a cocktail made from gin, Champagne, lemon juice, and sugar. It is also called a 75 Cocktail, or in French simply a Soixante Quinze (Seventy Five).
The drink dates to World War I, and an early form was created in 1915 at the New York Bar in Paris—later Harry's New York Bar—by barman Harry MacElhone. The combination was said to have such a kick that it felt like being shelled with the powerful French 75mm field gun. |
