What is this huge shell?

[darrentxs]

I got it in a gun collection I aquired many years ago. It looks like a GIANT shotgun shell or maybe a flare? Ideas..?

 

[Dave McC]

4 gauge. Still legal in England for wildfowling. Not legal to use here.

 

[zippy13]

Any markings on the front end? Back in the day, some makers would put the load ID there.

 

[Hawg]

4 gauge. Those are pretty rare, be worth a little bit to a collector.

 

[Doyle]

You got me curious so I let my fingers do some walking through Google. What you have appears to be a 4 gauge shell from a punt gun. They were used for market hunting waterfowl before that type of activity was outlawed. The can fetch a nice price from collectors and yours appears to be in pristine shape.

 

[egor20]

Good read on the Elay No4 here.

http://www.iaaforum.org/forum3/viewtopic.php?f=8&t=10521

 

[darrentxs]

Thanks guys! There are no marks on the business end and there is a 1/4 inch "dent' smush on the other side that disqualifies it from being pristine. Plus the nickle size discoloration seen in 2nd photo.

There was also a .56 -.56 Spencer rimfire in the box in nice shape. I asked about that on TFL a couple years ago.

I hate to ask, but since I'm not a collector of this stuff... What would be a fair value? I'd like to let someone else who appreciates it get it. (Likely in trade for modern HG ammo if that's fair.)

Edit to add.. I googled around and can't find a value.

 

[jaguarxk120]

Check with www.ammo-one.com they buy and sell different kinds of cartridges.