Rare to find British made 47mm Hotchkiss shell used by the Japanese Navy in World War 1. The gun was introduced in 1886 for locations where the 6-pounder gun was considered to be too heavy.

Rare British-Made 47mm Hotchkiss Shell – Japanese Naval Use (WWI Era)

A scarce British-made 47mm Hotchkiss shell, as used by the Imperial Japanese Navy. Originally introduced in 1886, the Hotchkiss gun was designed for use in positions where the larger 6-pounder was considered too heavy.

The projectile retains its Japanese maker’s stamp on the base and still has all of its original brass driving bands intact, showing an attractive brass finish. The outer casing displays only light pitting and minor discolouration, while preserving most of its original surface, with no holes or structural damage. The projectile fits smoothly into and out of the case as intended.

The brass shell case remains in a bright finish, with some discolouration to the base, and clearly visible markings, including the British manufacture stamp and Japanese acceptance marks.

Both the projectile and case are completely empty and inert. The piece has been carefully cleaned and is in overall excellent condition, making it a highly displayable and desirable addition to any collection.

Supplied with an A5 laminated information card.

Historical Context

British-made 47mm Hotchkiss guns—often referred to as 3-pounder or “Yamanouchi” guns—were widely used by the Imperial Japanese Navy as anti-torpedo boat armament. They were fitted to pre-dreadnought battleships, cruisers, and destroyers, particularly around the time of the Russo-Japanese War (1904–1905), and also saw service on auxiliary vessels and coastal defence ships.