Odd finds from Victorian farm

Finds and artefacts found while out metal detecting which require identifying.
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DXBrown
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Odd finds from Victorian farm

Post by DXBrown »

Have been doing metal detecting survey on a farm recently & though I don't expect to find much as it is not near anything exciting, I am keen to identify as much as possible for the reserve warden.

I have found these 3 iron items that I would like to have an i.d for if possible please.

No. 1 - bullet like item which is just one of 4 similar items found in different fields. Each have an open end that it was likely attached to something as unlikely to be a bullet.

No.2 - doesn't appear to be threaded but the hole at the top does not go all the way through. However, there is a similar hole on the reverse side but not in the same position (offset by approx 2mm)

No. 3 - no idea

Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated. David
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Mini-mustard
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Post by Mini-mustard »

I would say that these items are hedge fodder!! [84/]
But some expert may correct me.
It just seems ok like they are parts of plough and other machinery!!
"always seeking a new adventure- always staying hard through tough times"

minelab 340 vanqish [81/]
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MilitaryMetalMagnut
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Post by MilitaryMetalMagnut »

Number 1 is a .303 Tracer round, in particular, a mid to late war (1943-45) MkII Tracer. It is a mid-war example as it has a steel outer jacket that would have been copper plated, known as a GMCS (Guilded Metal Clad Steel) projectile. This was a mid-war design change in an effort to conserve non-ferrous materials. It’s essentially the same steel/copper construction as the modern naff 1p/2p coins. ::g

Inside the projectile is a copper canister containing the flammable Tracer compound, which when ignited at the moment of firing, produces a bright flame from the base of the projectile. This flame allows the projectile to be ‘traced’ as it travels down range, up to around 8/900 yards. ::g

Best regards,

Simon
18 years experience of collecting, researching military ordnance and weaponry!
Red Fred
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Post by Red Fred »

No 2 is the pin from a sprung lynch pin minus the circular spring part that always catches your fingers when attaching an implement to the arms on a tractor.
lynch-pin_Image.jpg
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MilitaryMetalMagnut
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Post by MilitaryMetalMagnut »

Further to my previous post, these are some .303 ammunition cutaways that I made myself, for comparison to your find. Left to right; MkVII ‘Ball’ (standard round), MkII Tracer, MkI Armour Piercing, Mk10 Drill (Dummy) and MkV Blank.

Also, a close-up of the Tracer, along with the Ball and AP rounds. You can see the copper canister inside the Tracer projectile (middle) containing the flammable compound. The container is sealed inside by a brass washer in the base, which is crimped into place by rolling the edges of the outer jacket.::g

Best regards,

Simon
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Sven@1970
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Post by Sven@1970 »

What equipment is used to make these really interesting cutawais? Thanks
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MilitaryMetalMagnut
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Post by MilitaryMetalMagnut »

Sven@1970 wrote: Sat Oct 12, 2024 7:03 pm What equipment is used to make these really interesting cutawais? Thanks
It takes a fair bit of work! Initially, I mark on the outside of the cartridge case with a felt pen the rough halfway point (making sure the two 'flash' holes just in front of the primer are inline with what will be the finished cut!), then I make the initial cut with a cutting wheel on a Dremel tool. Then, neaten up with a rotary sanding wheel on the Dremel, and finally a lot of hand rubbing on P60 sandpaper on a flat surface. I mark out the cut on the projectile, and cut and sand the same way as the cartridge case, and once both parts are almost to the halfway line, I epoxy them together. Once set, it's a lot more hand sanding with finer and finer papers until the cut surface reaches halfway. Then I glue in the Cordite strands and spray the whole thing with clear lacquer to prevent tarnishing. It takes about 3 days to finish each cutaway, and the photos really don't do them justice. lol. ::g

Best regards,

Simon
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Sven@1970
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Post by Sven@1970 »

You are an artist, thank you!
DXBrown
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Post by DXBrown »

Thanks so much for the comprehensive reply Simon that is super helpful. I know none of things have any great value but I'm doing this to help build a timeline of activities on this site & from 1800 onwards so any info is great.

Your reply does fit nicely with some assumptions of what might have been going on there during WW2 & the couple of .303 cartridges I have found elsewhere on site.

[81/]
David
DXBrown
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Post by DXBrown »

Thanks Red Fred - I see it now !

David
SimplexSimonx
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Post by SimplexSimonx »

I think that the curved piece - item 3 - may be from a mole (scissor) trap.

e.g.https://www.vintagetraps.co.uk/?attachment_id=3558
KevinB
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Post by KevinB »

Well there you go all 3 ID`d, great.....

Just goes to show the collective wealth of knowledge on this site...... [81/]
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MilitaryMetalMagnut
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Post by MilitaryMetalMagnut »

DXBrown wrote: Sun Oct 13, 2024 3:53 pm Thanks so much for the comprehensive reply Simon that is super helpful. I know none of things have any great value but I'm doing this to help build a timeline of activities on this site & from 1800 onwards so any info is great.

Your reply does fit nicely with some assumptions of what might have been going on there during WW2 & the couple of .303 cartridges I have found elsewhere on site.

[81/]
David
Super! No problem, happy to help. ::g If you look closely at the base of the .303 cartridges, there will be a headstamp for the factory code, year of manufacture and a code for the type (apologies if you already know!). The correct cartridge for your Tracer projectile will have the code ‘G II’ for the type - ‘G’ code for Tracer, and ‘II’ for MkII. ::g

Best regards,

Simon
18 years experience of collecting, researching military ordnance and weaponry!
DXBrown
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Post by DXBrown »

Sorry for slow reply - but who would have thought someone could identify that bit of metal as part of a mole trap ! Amazing

thank you so much

David
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