Short case 20mm ?

[WVAM]

Would welcome any thoughts on this. No visible head stamp. Initially thought it an 8 bore but couldn't find a metal case of this size. Also considered flare pistol. Ideas please.

[Koala]

I can see part of a headstamp faint at the 6 o'clock position

I feel it will be military being rimless. But have no idea

rubbing flat on a piece of glass or similar with some brasso sometimes makes them readable

[WVAM]

I can see part of a headstamp faint at the 6 o'clock position

I feel it will be military being rimless. But have no idea

Give that man a coconut - well done. It says 20 MM (just) - so it isn't an 8 bore!
I'll try to find more but what looks like other numbers are corrosion lumps and bumps that join up and are not in the script of the 20mm.
At least we know a bit more

I searched most of the military stuff and couldn't find an obvious candidate for such a short case and it doesn't look to be cut down.
I've had plenty of 20mm canon shell cases on neighbouring farms but this one is just odd.

[GeorgeMK]

Case is clearly cut down, looks like a 20x110 Hispano. What is the rim diameter?

[GeorgeMK]

You might find this useful, http://www.quarryhs.co.uk/an_introducti ... ing_20.htm

It could be a shot glass.

[fred]

Well it's half a 20mm cannon shell. Exactly why it's cut in half I have no idea.

[MilitaryMetalMagnut]

Looks like a cut down 20x110mm Hispano, in the process of being made into Trench Art.

It just so happens that last Wednesday, I also found a cut down 20mm - a 20x110RBmm Oerlikon, from a U.S Navy storage depot which stored equipment for the run up to D-Day. Interestingly, my one is also cut to exactly 2 inches/52mm long, but has a very off centre threaded hole drilled into the in the base. I wonder if our cartridges might have a more pacific purpose, being that they’re both cut to 2 inches. Interesting find.

Best regards,

Simon

[WVAM]

Case is clearly cut down, looks like a 20x110 Hispano. What is the rim diameter?

Rim = 24.5mm
Extraction groove = ~ 21.7mm

You might find this useful, http://www.quarryhs.co.uk/an_introducti ... ing_20.htm

It could be a shot glass.

Thanks George - I checked that one before posting as I'd used it for other complete cases in the past in the same area.

Shot glass - interesting idea - I've drunk from all sorts on shoots but this is a short measure at only 20ml full up.

[AndyM]

I have personally found lots of cut down 20mm, they was all in one area around what was a workshop area on a WW2 RAF/USAF airbase, I wondered what was going on until I found one that had been cut, a sleeved section of another one soldered inside and then another one put over the top of it, as a lid, pulled it apart to see what was inside and it had still had red top non safety matches inside it, also found the remains of coins where the heads had been finely cut out, my favourite from that area was a brass shell fuze cover that was in very nice condition (apart from being crushed flat, with a U.S. collar dog soldered on to it, it was like a manufacturing plant for bored aircrew making use of spare time to make interesting items, thats the conclusion or theory I came to, anyway its all history and a nice find, good luck.
(If you ever find them with the bullet still in place, leave them be, Mercury Fulminate fuses do explode if messed with.)

[WVAM]

Looks like a cut down 20x110mm Hispano, in the process of being made into Trench Art.

It just so happens that last Wednesday, I also found a cut down 20mm - a 20x110RBmm Oerlikon, from a U.S Navy storage depot which stored equipment for the run up to D-Day. Interestingly, my one is also cut to exactly 2 inches/52mm long, but has a very off centre threaded hole drilled into the in the base. I wonder if our cartridges might have a more pacific purpose, being that they’re both cut to 2 inches. Interesting find.

Best regards,

Simon

Well unless you are digging up Surrey again they are a long way apart - which hints at a purpose.

Chris

[WVAM]

Thanks for all the comments and information - looks like it's purpose will remain a Toyah.

[Koala]

could it be some sort of historic grenade launcher


theses are modern 20 mm round

http://www.sadefensejournal.com/wp/gren ... elopments/

[Muddyknee]

Flare pistol round?

[RRPG]

As has been identified, definitely a cut down 20mm Hispano-Suiza cartridge case. Like MMM and others, I have about 100 such cases of various calibres, some with sleeves added, cuts, grooves, lips......their purpose remains a mystery! Bear in mind that the guys on airbases were bored out of their minds half the time so they used old cartridge cases to make all sorts of things, from lighters to shot glasses!