[quote=“dak21”]I’ve recently come across a huge Japanese artillery case and need some help confirming the identification of it.
It is a straight sided rimmed case with the standard Japanese primer. The dimensions are;
Base diameter: 26.5cm (10 7/16")
Rim thickness: 0.8cm (5/16")
Body outside diameter: 24.8cm (9 11/16")
Case Length: 39.6cm (16 7/16")
It bears the standard “F” on the headstamp at 12:00 and a “7” followed by some small kanji at 6:00.
Two candidates are the Type 45 and Type 90 Howitzers as mention in the September 1943 Handbook on Japanese Military Forces. Unfortunately, they do not give dimensions for the cases that went with each of these guns.
Does anyone have any detailed information about the identity of this case?
Thanks,
Dave[/quote]
Hi,
Congrats, that’s a GREAT find!
Your case is a 240x395R case, for the Type 4-year Howitzer. The “Type 4-year” part means that the weapon was introduced into service in “Taisho year 4”, i.e. 1915.
The ‘F’ means that the brass of your case contains traces of iron, which was often (but not always) mixed into the brass that the IJA used for their cases. This practice was applied to facilitate the cutting process at the end.
The ‘7’ is the month of manufacture, being ‘July’, The Kanji markings to the right of it will tell you the year of manufacture. If you can transcribe them or add a picture of them, I can tell you what it is. Also, to the left of the ‘7’ you should find the arsenal markings which tells you who manufactured it. With something of this size chances are biggest that it was made at the Osaka arsenal, which is represented by two crossed cannons and the ‘saka’ Kanji ideogram (i.e. ‘阪’) somewhat further to the left of it.
Any chance of adding a picture?
Cheers,
Olafo