INERT DEACTIVATED. British, Experimental, Unfired, 1971 Dated, 105mm L118 Light Gun 7 Calibre Long, High Explosive (HE) Projectile. - O 1812 INERT DEACTIVATED. British, Experimental, Unfired, 1971 Dated, 105mm L118 Light Gun 7 Calibre Long, High Explosive (HE) Projectile. - O 1812 Other Ammunition

INERT DEACTIVATED. This is an experimental 1971 dated 105mm high explosive projectile for the 105mm Light Gun which was designed to replace the 75 mm howitzer, 4.2 inch mortar and 25-pounder gun in regular artillery regiments. The guns ammunition was a separate loading design where the projectile and cartridge case were separate, the cartridge case holding incremental charges for use in its howitzer role. The guns was designed by the government Royal Armament Research and Development Establishment (RARDE), Fort Halstead, Kent and development started in 1965. The first prototypes were tested in 1968 culminating in the final design and introduction into army service as the L118 in 1976. This projectile is 7 calibres long and would have been used to experiment with the projectiles stability in flight , 7 calibre length being the start of instability in flight of a projectile. The advantage of the longer projectile is a larger explosive content. This unfired projectile retains most of its original purple painted finish signifying an experimental projectile in British service. The projectile is stamped round its circumference REON NO B2/8808 ITEM NO 16 6/197/ (June 1971 date of manufacture) 8508 FLB (Royal Laboratories). The projectile is also stencilled in white 105m/m 7 CALIBRE INERT. T.S.589 OTE, 1 CY (RoF Chorley) 3/73 (March 1973 date) CAR/4175 GR2(E)6/72 (June 1972 date) GR2/008. The number 3 is also stamped j SQ and DELAY just below the fuse. the projectile is fitted with a delay fuse which has stamped round the delay setting screw. The price includes U.K. delivery and no licence is required to possess inert projectiles in the UK if retained as a part of a collection or display. (No 34) O 1812