This is an original British 3-inch artillery shell, bearing clear period markings “R.D.F. Mk V” and “S.M.C.”, identifying it as a British-manufactured projectile associated with early 20th-century air defense and artillery service.

AMLOT is the British ordnance abbreviation for “Ammunition, Lot”, indicating controlled production batches used for tracking manufacture, inspection, and ballistic performance. The R.D.F. Mk V designation refers to “Reduced Driving Force, Mark V”, a projectile type developed to moderate barrel wear and manage pressures while maintaining ballistic efficiency. RDF projectiles were commonly associated with 3-inch anti-aircraft and coastal defense guns, particularly during the First World War and the interwar period, when Britain was refining high-angle and air-defense artillery.

The S.M.C. marking denotes St. Mary’s Cray, one of the principal British Royal Ordnance filling and manufacturing facilities, further confirming official government production. Shells from S.M.C. are well documented within British ordnance records and are sought after for their clear attribution to Royal Arsenal supply chains.

The 3-inch caliber was a cornerstone of British air defense, notably in early anti-aircraft roles defending ports, industrial centers, and military installations. Surviving examples with intact markings are increasingly scarce, as many were expended in service or later scrapped.

This shell represents an excellent reference artifact illustrating British ordnance development during the formative years of modern anti-aircraft warfare. Its clearly defined markings, government arsenal provenance, and association with RDF projectile design make it well suited for advanced collections, museum displays, or educational study focused on British artillery and early air defense systems.

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