105MM Howitzer Brass Cases

[lawrence_n]

I have a chance to pick up 2 brass 105MM howitzer cases. They're not damaged but show some verdigris and heavy tarnish on 'em. I don't want to overpay but I don't want to rip off the estate either. They were both blank cartridges I believe and post war. What do you guys think would be a fair market value?

[Sapper740]

Pictures would help, especially as the the level of tarnish.

[lawrence_n]

Pictures would help, especially as the the level of tarnish.

I had a heck of time loading up the pics but here ya go!

[72 usmc]

i'd say around $50 at a show in the US. Better if an actual WW II dated shell case. Maybe say $65US for both??? I am not sure how hard to find in Canada???

[Aragorn243]

I wouldn't go more than $20 each. They aren't uncommon, especially post war. Antique shops will slap $100 on them and they never sell. Even a WWII stamped one wouldn't bring that much.

I have half a dozen 105's, one casing is wrapped steel, kind of like that one pastry dough container you tap on the counter to open up. I don't think I paid more than $20 for any of them.

[browningautorifle]

I agree with Aragorn, here in Canada they don't sell for much. Even if you look at Collector Source they aren't expensive and his prices are times two or three. You can get one in nice shape from "Tristainium" on Canadiangunnutz" for about $25 each. Don't go more than you need to. I collect that very thing...

[Flying10uk]

I had a heck of time loading up the pics

If you had cropped the edges off and reduced the image size to just the shell case the pics would have loaded much quicker and easier. When taking photos that I want to upload onto this website I leave plenty around the item that I want to photograph which I then crop off during editing. The image then seems to upload easily.

If you wish to resell those shell cases for a profit you won't want to pay much at all for them otherwise you'll be stuck with them or be forced to sell them at a loss. If I was looking to buy them in the UK for my collection I wouldn't want to pay more than £20 to £25 per case.

I did wonder if that 2nd pic showed a shell case with a live cap but it looks as if it may have been lightly struck. Before buying a shell case I always check to make sure that the cap has been struck as they do sometimes turn up unstuck even in antique shops. I always decline shell cases with unstuck caps.

[Aragorn243]

I always decline shell cases with unstuck caps.

You might be missing out on a lot of good cases as many were fired electronically. If the interior fuze is fried, it's been fired.

[browningautorifle]

I did wonder if that 2nd pic showed a shell case with a live cap but it looks as if it may have been lightly struck.

Those are an electric/percussion primer and they just like that. They're fired, the firing pin doesn't leave the same indent as smaller stuff. If you saw the schematic of the primer, you'd see it immediately.

[Flying10uk]

You might be missing out on a lot of good cases as many were fired electronically. If the interior fuze is fried, it's been fired.

Yes thanks, I do examine shell cases carefully, inside and out before, purchase. Unless I am completely satisfied that the item in question, in this case shell cases, is completely FFE and this includes a fired cap, I don't purchase. The last shell cases that I noticed being offered for sale, a while ago, with unstuck caps/primers were a pair of 50 cal cases. In my opinion the caps/primers were still live and therefore I didn't buy.

The point that I was trying to make is that shell cases do sometimes turn up for sale (in the UK) with live primers. That is why I examine carefully and don't buy if they do.