Wwi Shell Casing Appraisal

Brass Artillery Shell Casing Base (Spent)

This item is the base of a brass artillery shell casing, likely used for a large caliber weapon. It is made of solid brass, exhibiting a warm, aged patination consistent with its age and material, with some minor signs of surface wear and light scratching, but no significant dents or damage are visible. The central primer is intact and appears to be struck, indicating it was fired. The primary visual characteristic is the concentric arrangement of stamped markings around the central primer. Starting from the outside edge and moving inwards, some prominent markings include '45 DEC', 'SD.', '16. R', and 'P.D.ps 1755'. The '1755' appears to be '17.5.5', possibly a date stamp (May 17, 1955 or similar format), or perhaps a weight or batch number. The other markings likely denote manufacturer, caliber, batch number, or date of manufacture. The presence of 'DEC' suggests 'December', further indicating a date stamp. Given the typical use of such casings as trench art or as collectible historical artifacts, its condition is quite good for display, with the brass still retaining a metallic luster under the patina. The craftsmanship appears robust, as expected for military ordnance, with clear, deep stampings. Its size is suggested by the hand holding it, indicating it is approximately 4-6 inches in diameter.