✅ SOLVED WW1 artillery shell?

[Bryanhashemi]

Hey guys found this about 11 inches down at my 1890's area which was heavily used as a ww1 area in savannah georgia. It's about 5 1/2 inches long and 3.3 inches across. It says UMC Co. Bridgeport conn USA. Under the firing pin it has 2-97. I know about UMC but never seen this. Is it ww1, pre ww1, or post ww1. Any info would be great. Thanks!

 

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[ABruce]

Looks like a small howitzer round, maybe 75 mm. It's dated Feb. 1897. Neat find!

 

[Bryanhashemi]

Ah! So the 2-97 is the date. Got ya. Thanks!

 

[Bryanhashemi]

By the way..found my first seated dime about 4 feet from that shell!! 1862!

 

[TheCannonballGuy]

My guess, based on the 3.3" size you mentioned (which I'll have to assume is measured across the casing's flat base, not its "throat") is that it is a late-1800s Hotchkiss 76mm Gun casing. At only 5.5-inches long, it is way too short to be for a projectile, so I think the answer is that it is a blank round.

 

[Bryanhashemi]

Thanks tgg. Never heard of blank round. Ill look it up but your info on it would be greatly appreciated!

 

[TheCannonballGuy]

Same thing as pistol or rifle blanks. They are made for cannons too, used in training, and "salutes."

 

[Bryanhashemi]

I see. UMC made those? Guessing that was a common thing for artillery manufacturers.