Outstanding RCA Museum volunteer Deanne Gilbertson recently unboxed a collection of 105-millimetre charge bags used with the C1 105mm howitzer and the L5 PACK 105mm howitzer.

Gunners burnt the unused charge bags in the field at least until 2010. It’s outstanding that some of these charge bags were collected and donated to the museum.

At the time, Gunners regarded these unused bags as trash. To the museum, they are notable artifacts which help explain how the artillery work.

We have the C1 105mm howitzer and the L5 PACK 105mm howitzer in our collection, and many examples of compatible shell casings and projectiles. However, this is our only example of charge bags which went in the M14 series brass 105-millimetre cartridge case.

Gilbertson sent me a photo of the full seven charge bag system.  In the Canadian artillery, M2 and M4 artillery propellant came in seven conveniently sized charge bags.

This was an adjustable charge system used with all rounds except for heat and TPT. Bags were added to achieve the required projectile range.

The total weight of the propelling charge is 1.25 kilograms, with each charge varying in weight. In our museum example, the military removed the explosive pellets and replaced them with safe material: Charge one – 239 grams, Charge two – 41 grams, Charge three – 71 grams, Charge four – 97 grams, Charge five – 153 grams, Charge six – 244 grams, Charge seven – 397 grams. Each charge was clearly marked one through seven. Charge five also included a piece of lead foil as an agent for de-coppering.

Gunners would insert the required number of bags in the brass cartridge and then wrap them around the primer in the center. The manufacturer connected each charge bag with twine for ease of use.