Id this piece???

[David Dunlop]

Hi Rob.

This item has to be British made, given the date.

The three field guns referenced on it were all designed in the very late 1800's. And all were nearly exclusively British Territorial items.

The 15-pounder served only until the end of the First World War, anywhere, as far as I know, so why it would still be listed in 1942 is a bit of a mystery. The 18-pounder was in more or less continuous use until the early 1940's, but again as a Territorial piece. I recall the last ones still held in England were split into two groups, about half held in England and the rest shipped to France where all were lost by the time of Dunkirk. The remainder in England were converted to 25-pounders as that gun ramped up in production. A few served with the Indian Army in Southeast Asia until the British colonies in Singapore and Hong Kong finally fell.

The 2.95 inch Mountain Gun was completely out of service with the British Territorial Armies by World War Two, but apparently the US Army bought a number to equip the Phillipines Army between the wars. Not sure if these ever saw action when the Japanese invaded there, but getting spare parts there in 1942 might have been a big challenge in any event.

Never seen any detailed photos of any of these guns and this item does look like a funnel, but could it have been a leather cover used to protect some part of the gun or carriage? I have a 1920 Artillery OIl Can with a similar looking brown leather cover, made in Canada.

David