TOPIC:

Here's another pic of the base with the contrast wound right up which helps a bit I think.

Paul, I'm pretty sure I could straighten out the threads so the fuse fits correctly. And set the nose cone straight in the body. PM me if you'd like me to do this for you. Not for money of course.
Rob

Hi Rob
Thank you for the kind offer, but I think the ding is part of the history of the shell so I will leave it as is. I'm quite excited to find that it is actually consistent with a shell from Long's battery.
Paul

I take your point about the history of the shell.

Most people consider the "history" of an object to be "what happened to it before me".
I sometimes agree with this view, and generally I just preserve objects so they don't deteriorate further, avoiding restoration or re-finishing.
But sometimes I take the alternative view... if something is carefully and sensitively restored or an incomplete object is completed, then I may take the view that the very next day that restoration is also a valid part of its "history". A good policy with firearms is to put a piece of paper out of sight e.g. in the butt-trap or barrel channel documenting what I have done and when.
Love to hear how other forummers approach the issue of restoration and conservation.