antique store find: WW2 training shell (I think)

[.223Rem]

Hello guys,

I found this in a store on the weekend and couldn't bring myself to leave it there even though I only have a base idea of what it is.
I think it's a training shell from WW2, but I was hoping one of you guys could give me a little more information on what this thing is and what it was used for.

It has almost no markings aside from a number up near the nose, and the same number further down the steel end piece.

It has a wooden tip, a heavy steel end with internal threads (wood sits in a hole in the nose). The steel is painted and seems to be in 2 parts. A solid wood body and a brass base.

Her'es some pictures. (you can click them to make them super big)

 

[Recce21]

Very cool.

I am just getting into collecting ordnance and have a few questions for the other collectors out there.

I will start asking once you get an answer so not to derail your thread right from the get go.

 

[37patt]

Looks like a Navy 3"/50.

 

[sunray]

There are lots of books, but I think it's a cobbled together mix of several shell pieces and some turned wood bits.
There's drawing of a 3"-50 shell here.
http://www.navweaps.com/Weapons/WNUS_3-50_mk10-22_pics.htm

 

[.223Rem]

Neat, thanks for the info. The wooden end looks a bit like it could have been made well after the fact. I'll see if I can find a dummy fuse to screw into the end. Still makes a neat conversation piece for $100.