British, Pre-WWII-March 1939, QF 3-Pounder (47mm) Hotchkiss Mark IV Brass Cartridge Case – ECC Marked - 267

*British, Pre-WWII-March 1939, QF 3-Pounder (47mm) Hotchkiss Mark IV Brass Cartridge Case – ECC Marked*

An original British pre-World War II QF 3-Pounder (47mm) Hotchkiss Mark IV brass cartridge case, manufactured during the major British rearmament period immediately preceding the outbreak of the Second World War. Dated 3/39 (March 1939) and retaining contractor and inspection markings including ECC and a TD within an oval, this fired brass case belongs to the long-serving family of Quick Firing naval and defensive artillery ammunition used throughout the British Empire. The dimensions and profile closely correspond with the 47×131mmR Hotchkiss cartridge family, with the casing pattern attributable to a Mark IV configuration.

The base is marked 3/39, interpreted as a March 1939 production date, together with ECC, representing Edward Curran & Co., Cardiff, Wales, a British industrial contractor involved in wartime and pre-war military production, along with a TD inspection or factory control mark within an oval cartouche. The lower marking features a stylized block-font Roman numeral “IV”, denoting the Mark IV pattern, which bears an uncanny resemblance to the Japanese kanji 九 at first glance. This visual similarity makes it an interesting talking point for collectors of unusual pre-war ordnance headstamps and inspection marks.

Approx. Measurements – Height: 13.1 cm. Base diameter: 6.0 cm.

History Note:
The QF 3-Pounder Hotchkiss entered British service during the late Victorian era as a rapid-firing anti-torpedo boat weapon intended to defend naval vessels against emerging fast attack craft. Compact, reliable and capable of high rates of fire, it became a standard weapon aboard Royal Navy ships and later served in coastal defence, auxiliary naval roles and training establishments. Although originating in the nineteenth century, examples remained in use for decades, with cartridge production continuing into the final pre-war years. The Mark IV cartridge pattern represented one of the later developments of this long-lived ammunition family.

*Condition*
Fired brass case displaying service wear, age-related patina and handling marks throughout. The mouth shows several longitudinal stress cracks and splits consistent with firing stresses and later age embrittlement. Primer removed/drilled rendering the case inert for display purposes. Please see photographs as part of the condition report.

JAQ