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.

I have examined the images of this brass artillery shell casing base. Based on the visual evidence, the item appears to be an authentic piece of mid-20th-century military ordnance. The patination and stamping conventions, such as '45 DEC' and 'P.D.ps 1755', are consistent with period manufacturing marks, potentially indicating a December 1945 production date from the P.D.ps arsenal. The condition is good, with a struck primer confirming it was fired. Surface wear is minimal and appropriate for its age, enhancing its display quality as a collectible. The market for individual shell casings like this is steady, driven by military history enthusiasts and collectors of militaria or 'trench art' elements. Similar common-caliber brass shell bases from the mid-20th century typically trade in a modest price range. Its value is primarily as a historical artifact rather than a rare ordnance piece. The markings are clear, which adds to its desirability, but without further identification of the specific weapon system it belongs to, its value remains in the general collector category. Full authentication cannot be definitively confirmed from images alone. An in-person examination would be required to verify the specific alloy, weight, and dimensions to precisely identify its origin and caliber. Furthermore, documentation of provenance or cross-referencing the arsenal markings ('P.D.ps') with historical records would be necessary for a more conclusive assessment and could potentially increase its value if it is linked to a notable manufacturer or historical context.