The following markings have been met in the course of examining captured Italian shell of the above-mentioned types. The types bearing these markings are of recent manufac-ture. The markings of earlier types do not always conform to the system.

Which each of the types the body of the shell is pale blue (almost a light grey) and the head (i.e., from nose to just above the shoulder) is red. When a cap is fitted to the shell the cap is red. The 100/17 hollow charge shell is an exception in that the cap is orange. Whether this is by design or is due to a variation in the shade of colour is not yet clear. These basic colours are normally applied by a process similar to sherardizing instead of by painting. The result is a flat finish and the absence of an obvious coating.

A green band inmmediately above the driving band is found on shell both of the piercing type and normal nose fuzed H.E. type when filled with T.N.T. or amatol.

A white band appears to be the distinguishing marking of shell designed for the attack of armour. With armour piercing shell the band is at the approximate centre between the shoulder and the driving band. With hollow charge shell the band is immediately above the driving band.

The following particulars regarding the shell are normally stencilled in black between the shoulder and the driving band:–

Nature of bursting charge. Shell filled with cast T.N.T. either by the pouring process or in the form of blocks are stencilled "TRITOLO". Those filled cyclonite/T.N.T. are stencilled "TRITOLITE". Shell filled amatol are stencilled "Amatolo".

Letters indiacting the filling factory by the last three figures of the year of filling.

The calibre of the equipment in millimeters followed by an oblique stroke and the length of the piece expressed in terms of calibres.