Shell casing World War I 1914-1918

Shell casing from the First World War. Militaria and trench craftsmanship. Floral engraving on the body and base. French casing for a 37 mm cannon, most likely the famous 37 mm TR (Tir Rapide) Model 1885 or the Hotchkiss model, widely used during the First World War. For the inscriptions on the base: 37-85: This is the calibre and model of the casing. The 37 indicates the calibre (37 mm) and the 85 refers to the Model 1885. PD.Ps: This is the manufacturer's code for the metal and foundry. PD corresponds to Pinchart-Deny (a factory located in Paris/Boulogne-sur-Seine that supplied brass). Ps indicates the loading or manufacturing workshop of the casing (here, the Puteaux construction workshop). 74: This is the manufacturing lot number of the casing. 10.14.: This is the exact date of manufacture. It was made in October 1914, at the very beginning of the Great War (the war started in August 1914). On the right, two small logos: The flaming grenade: This is the classic symbol of the French Artillery (or the State). It validates the military acceptance of the piece. The surrounded letter (here a stylised "G" or "C"): This is the stamp of the civil or military inspector who inspected and validated the casing at the factory before its dispatch to the front. Height = 9.5 cm. Diameter = 4.5 cm.