Tom & Jerrys Militaria and Collectables
Original Royal Navy 1-Inch Aiming Tube Ball Cartridge Mk III
Original Royal Navy 1-Inch Aiming Tube Ball Cartridge Mk III
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Product Condition
Product Condition
Shipping & Returns
Shipping & Returns
Shipping
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Product Description
An original British Royal Navy 1-Inch Aiming Tube Ball Cartridge Mk III, manufactured by Eley Brothers under Admiralty contract. This is a scarce and highly collectible example of Britain's specialist naval gunnery training ammunition.
The cartridge was designed for use in the 1-Inch Aiming Rifle (Aiming Tube), a sub-calibre training system developed by the Royal Navy to allow realistic and economical practice with heavy naval artillery. Rather than firing an expensive service shell, a rifled 1-inch aiming rifle was fitted into the breech of a larger gun, enabling crews to practise laying, aiming and firing drills using a much smaller cartridge. These systems were fitted to a variety of Royal Navy guns, including 6-inch Quick Firing guns, 9.2-inch naval and coast-defence guns, and 12-pounder 12 cwt guns, providing accurate short-range training while greatly reducing ammunition costs and barrel wear.
This example carries the distinctive Admiralty headstamp:
- ELEY – Eley Brothers Ltd., London
- Rᴺ – Royal Navy contract
- B.C. III – Ball Cartridge, Mark III
Manufactured by one of Britain's oldest and most respected ammunition makers, this cartridge represents a fascinating piece of Royal Navy ordnance history. Unlike standard service ammunition, 1-inch aiming tube cartridges were produced specifically for naval training establishments and warships, making surviving examples considerably scarcer than ordinary military cartridges. Specialist collector references record numerous headstamp variations, reflecting different Marks and manufacturers supplied to the Admiralty over many years.
The cartridge retains its original brass bottleneck case and lead projectile and has been professionally inerted for display. It is an outstanding addition to any collection of:
- Royal Navy memorabilia
- Naval artillery and coast-defence equipment
- British military ammunition
- Eley-manufactured cartridges
- Aiming rifle and sub-calibre training systems
- Victorian, Edwardian and early 20th-century ordnance
A rare and historically significant piece of British naval gunnery equipment seldom encountered on the collector's market.
Display purposes only.
Features
- Original British Royal Navy issue
- Genuine 1-Inch Aiming Tube Ball Cartridge Mk III
- Manufactured by Eley Brothers
- Admiralty Rᴺ contract headstamp
- Original brass bottleneck case
- Original lead projectile
- Professionally inert
- Rare naval training cartridge
- Excellent collector's display item
- UK legal inert collectible
Condition
Good original condition with a clear and well-defined headstamp. The brass case displays an attractive age-related patina, and the cartridge has been inerted for safe display while retaining its original appearance.