RML 64 pdr Mk I shell

RML 64 pdr Mk I common shell. The shell features a rounded bottom with an 'R' and 'L' marking. Along the sides are three rows of five copper studs. Part of the shell has been painted grey. Faded text along the side reads 'SHELL' and '1865'. There is no fuse.

The Rifled, Muzzle Loading 64 Pounder gun was first introduced as a naval and fortress gun in 1864. The gun type in various Marks was adopted by numerous forts across Australia during the second half of the 19th century, and were still being used into the early part of the 20th century.

The gun was an example of early rifled artillery, but was still muzzle loaded. This required the shell to be fed down the rifled barrel using a ramrod, against the shell's fuse. The 64 Pounder fired two types of shell, common or shrapnel. Mk I model shells had five rings of three copper studs for rifling; later models had three rows of three.

Only one original Mk I model gun still exists, at Fort George, Scotland. It was superceded by the Mark II gun in 1866.