Interesting find. Need info.

[Kcmpa]

This was up in the rafters in the garage when i moved it with some old tin cans. I think it's an ignition cartridge for a mortar. If anyone has any info, or can direct me in the right direction, i would appreciate it.

[Daycrawler]

I think you are right, nice find! You might want to take a good look around your property, no telling what else you might find.

[kobsw]

Kcmpa,
This link should help even though the cartridge is not exactly the same.

You will find that it's for the US 4.3" mortar of WWII.

http://iaaforum.org/forum3/viewtopic.php?f=1&t=6724

Best Regards,

Kobsw

[Bama Man]

In the 1930's and 1940's, radial engine aircraft used a shotgun style cartridge to start their engines.
This system was lighter than than a mechanical system and batteries, and worked well.
If you ever saw the movie " Flight of the Phoenix " with James Stewart, you have seen it in use.
The shell is about 3 3/4" long, and looks like a shotgun shell, more like an 8 gauge shell.
This is probably what you have found.
It is known as the Coffman engine starter.

[Bama Man]

Boy, was I wrong. KOBSW hit it out of the park !!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[smitty56]

You can still get ignition cartridgdes for 60mm and 81mm mortars here for $20.

http://www.ammo-one.com/60mmIgnitionCartridge.html

[Lost Hunter]

Boy, was I wrong. KOBSW hit it out of the park !!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I was thinking it was a engine starter also. But KOBSW got it right. Interesting find.