Description

3 inch shell by T.B. & C. Co mfg 2-12-1918

This is an original U.S. 3-inch artillery shell manufactured by T.B. & C. Co. (Toledo Bridge & Crane Company) of Toledo, Ohio, and clearly dated February 12, 1918, placing its production firmly in the final year of the First World War.

The Toledo Bridge & Crane Company was one of many American heavy-industry firms brought into wartime service during WWI, converting peacetime industrial capacity to the mass production of artillery components. Companies such as T.B. & C. Co., traditionally associated with large structural steel and mechanical fabrication, were contracted by the U.S. Ordnance Department to meet the enormous demand for artillery ammunition required by the American Expeditionary Forces in Europe.

The 3-inch caliber was one of the most important U.S. artillery calibers of the era, used in field guns, anti-aircraft roles, and coastal defense applications. Shells of this type were produced to strict Ordnance specifications, with the date of manufacture stamped directly into the body, allowing precise traceability and quality control—an essential feature of wartime ammunition management.

Dated examples from 1918 are particularly desirable, as they represent peak wartime production immediately prior to the Armistice. Surviving shells from this period are increasingly scarce, especially those retaining clear manufacturer attribution and legible date markings.

This shell stands as a tangible artifact of American industrial mobilization during World War I and illustrates the critical role played by domestic manufacturers in supporting U.S. and Allied artillery operations. It is an excellent candidate for display in a military collection, museum setting, or educational context focused on U.S. ordnance history and wartime manufacturing.

Overall Length: Approx. 33 inches

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• These items have been permanently deactivated in accordance with applicable U.S. federal standards and the guidance of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) for deactivated ordnance.

• The items contain no explosive filler, no live primer or propellant, and no functional firing components.

• They are intended for display, education, or collection only.

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