Lewin of Greenwich Naval History & Forum

Well David , here's another [ and the last I think ] for your boys with the red jackets and running shoes !

This shell casing is yet another mystery to be identified if you can please due to the extended fuse fitted and hopefully the pictures attached could help .

Inscribed around the side is the following :-

HMS BARROSA
4th Destroyer Squadron
Mediterrane Fleet 1956

As you know she was a Battle class Destroyer on which Chalky served on amongst others if that helps

My last job, on the last ship that I served on (HMS Exmouth), was to maintain the guns and mortars. I collared a couple of spent rounds from the 40/60mm gun mounting and made ash trays out of them, similar to those in the photos. I think they went into a skip when I moved house and was downsizing.

Jim

Well by chance I was speaking to an ex Barrosa gunnery boffin who said that the protruding centre "fuse" section contained explosives which when the pin cap was ignited detonated the explosive core which in turn superheated the propellant giving the shell a higher velocity [ phew my head hurts but I think I've got that right ]
So purpose solved and that one can be put to bed now thanks .

ivorthediver wrote: ↑Fri Mar 05, 2021 9:40 pm Well by chance I was speaking to an ex Barrosa gunnery boffin who said that the protruding centre "fuse" section contained explosives which when the pin cap was ignited detonated the explosive core which in turn superheated the propellant giving the shell a higher velocity [ phew my head hurts but I think I've got that right ]
So purpose solved and that one can be put to bed now thanks .

The centre fuse was ideal for stubbing cigarette ends out

Jim