Old rifle range

[grumpyjohn]

My son and I have been investigating an old rifle range I discovered on an Ordnance Survey map published 1903-12. We found it was the range of a local volunteer company formed in 1869 and has produced rounds fired by the following rifles. 1853 pattern Enfield rifle musket, Snider Enfield, Martini Henry, Round nosed .303 and the later pointed Spitzer .303 rounds. We also came across a lead alloy disc 16mm diameter bearing the WD broad arrow mark with 56 above it which I think may be a tag from an ammunition box. All these were eyes only finds so it will be interesting to go over the area with a detector when the weather improves !!!
Can anyone confirm my thoughts on the small lead disc please ??

[RRPG]

Need a picture please Could be from the base from an artillery round or from numerous other bits of ordnance.

**Edit** Just seen it is 16mm. LOL ! Ignore the above Ammo bag/crate seal I would think

[Wansdyke44]

My son and I have been investigating an old rifle range I discovered on an Ordnance Survey map published 1903-12. We found it was the range of a local volunteer company formed in 1869 and has produced rounds fired by the following rifles. 1853 pattern Enfield rifle musket, Snider Enfield, Martini Henry, Round nosed .303 and the later pointed Spitzer .303 rounds. We also came across a lead alloy disc 16mm diameter bearing the WD broad arrow mark with 56 above it which I think may be a tag from an ammunition box. All these were eyes only finds so it will be interesting to go over the area with a detector when the weather improves !!!
Can anyone confirm my thoughts on the small lead disc please ??

Hello Grumpyjohn!

Does it look anything like this?
http://finds.org.uk/database/artefacts/record/id/466487

Been told they are gun powder bag seals. Nice find, don't handle it then lick your fingers though (lead poisoning)

[newseeker]

ive seen a lot of rifle ranges on old maps im not sure but it looks like most towns and a high number of villages had one. Where would the best place too concentrate your search? would it be at the butts or the 200 or 300yd line? ive got one near me thats marked up to a 1000yds.Sorry cant help with the id.

[Wansdyke44]

I'd search the butts and the 1000yd mark. Apart from being sure to find plenty of old shot and a few cartridges you are also liable to find money, buttons etc. Towns and villages had their own little militia groups prior to WW1 and these militia could be called to serve the King and augment the regular army in the event of war. You will need to obtain permission of course.

W

[stanslad]

Good research grumpyjohn, sounds very interesting & good luck for great finds,
Clint

[grumpyjohn]

Many thanks for the replies all. Once the weather improves I will start at the butts and look back to find the firing platform. I intend to give this a good working over but it is very overgrown now. I already have permission to investigate the site.
My son now tells me he saw a few conical bullets with two lugs protruding from each side !! He didn't pick any up but it sounds to me like an adaption made to bullets intended to be fired from a Brunswick rifle of the 1830's !! No reason why these weapons could not still be in use in the 1860's !!
Wansdyke the disc we found is about the same size so is probably off an ammunition box although the marking are different. I think further investigation is required !

[Dusty]

Part of one of my fields was a rifle range- h ave found musket balls of varying ages -muzzle loading rounds and military rounds dating back to 1880'ish-was used by the military in 1st and second world warslots of bren gun rounds, mortar rounfs, 9mm rounds , grenade fragments- the range was used by canadian forces in both wars and the home guard in 2nd war-many coins have come up earliest is a george 2nd penny-you'll get lots of different tones but wont take long before you predict whats under the coil!-good hunting

[JasonHewitt]

Dusty that site sounds awesome ! if you ever need a buddy let me know ! would love to have a hunt there!