Description
U.S. 75mm Vickers-Maxim Mountain Gun Brass Cartridge Case – Frankford Arsenal, 1903
Item Overview
This is an empty brass cartridge case manufactured for the U.S. 75mm Vickers-Maxim mountain gun, which Army manuals also identify as the 2.95-inch mountain gun. The head is marked “F.A.,” “1903,” and “75 m/m M.” The “F.A.” marking identifies Frankford Arsenal, the U.S. Army ammunition plant in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. This case originally formed the lower portion of a fixed artillery round, holding the primer and propellant while supporting the projectile. The listing is for the cartridge case only; no projectile, fuze, propellant, or primer is included. The original loading cannot be identified from the empty case, since this gun used several service and training configurations.
Identification and Features
The 1916 U.S. Army handbook describes the 2.95-inch mountain gun cartridge case as a solid-drawn brass component with a projecting rim for the gun’s extractor. Its central primer seat held the percussion primer used to ignite the propellant charge. The handbook gives a nominal case length of 6.58 inches, an internal capacity of 34.9 cubic inches, and an empty weight of approximately 1.45 pounds. This example has an open primer pocket and retains readable period markings on the base. The “75 m/m M” marking is consistent with the metric caliber and mountain-gun application recorded in period Army documents. No projectile or other ammunition component is included, and the case should not be assigned to a specific shell, shrapnel, or blank loading.
- Application: 75mm / 2.95-inch Vickers-Maxim mountain gun
- Manufacturer marking: F.A. for Frankford Arsenal
- Production date: 1903
- Headstamp: F.A. / 1903 / 75 m/m M
- Material: Solid-drawn brass
- Nominal case length: 6.58 inches
- Nominal empty weight: 1.45 pounds
- Configuration: Empty case with primer removed
- Included component: Cartridge case only
Historical Background
The 75mm Vickers-Maxim mountain gun was a portable artillery piece developed for use where standard field guns were difficult to move. The U.S. Army knew the weapon by both its metric 75mm caliber and its 2.95-inch designation. It could be taken apart into manageable loads and carried by pack animals over mountain trails, rough roads, and other difficult ground. Crews could then assemble the weapon for firing, giving infantry units artillery support in areas where horse-drawn field batteries could not easily operate. The gun used a short-recoil carriage and fixed ammunition, meaning the projectile and loaded cartridge case were handled as one round. Period ammunition included common steel shell and common shrapnel, while drill, dummy, and blank cartridges supported training and ceremonial use. A War Department production report for the fiscal year ending June 30, 1903, lists 14,513 cartridge cases for the 75mm Vickers-Maxim mountain gun, directly connecting this case’s date and markings with documented U.S. Army production. The system became closely associated with American pack artillery in the Philippines and other rugged operating areas. Its service life extended well beyond the early 1900s; official Army history records that the 23rd Field Artillery of the Philippine Scouts still had 2.95-inch mountain guns in July 1941. That later service shows the long life of the weapon system but does not establish the service history of this individual 1903 case.
Condition
This empty cartridge case is offered in aged military-surplus condition. The photographed example shows natural brass patina, dark discoloration, oxidation spots, scratches, scuffs, and wear around the head and rim. The F.A., 1903, and 75 m/m M markings remain visible. The primer is absent, leaving the primer pocket open. Because the primer is missing, the photograph does not provide enough evidence to confirm whether the case was fired. Previous cleaning, polishing, or refinishing cannot be determined from the available view. The condition of the case mouth, body, and interior is also unknown, and no claim is made regarding suitability for loading or operation.
Ideal For
This dated cartridge case is a strong display item for collections focused on early U.S. artillery, Frankford Arsenal production, pack artillery, or Philippine military history. Its readable headstamp provides a useful connection to documented 1903 ammunition production. The case can also support museum exhibits, educational displays, research collections, and period ordnance presentations. It is offered as an empty historical component rather than complete ammunition.
- U.S. artillery collections
- Frankford Arsenal headstamp collections
- Mountain and pack-artillery displays
- Philippine military-history exhibits
- Early twentieth-century ordnance research
- Museum and educational interpretation
Approx length 6.58", Approx width 3.5", Approx height 3.5", Approx weight 1.45 lbs.
Pictures are stock images of our inventory. Unless otherwise noted, you will not be receiving the exact item shown in the pictures. The pictures are representative of the item’s general condition. The item you receive might be slightly better, or worse, condition than was shown in the pictures.
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