Metal Detecting

Just some pictures of the recent finds from the last two months.

Some nice finds. I particularly like the 3inch mortar fins, and the big hunk of mortar !!

In your little box, I think I can see a very interesting item. Looks like the spring and striker column from inside a No. 36M British grenade.

And just in case you didn't realise, (and for the benefit of anyone else who views this thread), the five little 'domes' above your 3 inch mortar fins are the remains of the internal fuze column and striker from a British No. 36M grenade (or Mills bomb). You should find the rest of the column as well. Grey alloy with deep grooves impressed on one side.......this is the impression the column spring makes in the column itself when the grenade explodes.

RRPG

yes the large hunk of mortar is a 4.2 inch chemical weapons mortar so im told. yes the 3 inch mortar are a real favorite of mine as well i think i have 7 now.

Matt

Wow jealous lol look at all those mortar fins

Here ya go. Pictures of some of my No 36M parts so you can see what I mean.

Here is a sectioned No. 36M showing the internal column, striker and striker spring. When the grenade arm is release, the column is forced down under the pressure of the spring and strikes the detonator which ignites the delay fuse. When the nade goes off, this column is greatly compressed in on itself, thus imprinting the spring onto the inside of the column. It also tends to snip off the column at the bottom, thus giving you the strange domed item you have found.
I have circled the bit in question in the below picture.
Here are the bits I'm talking about, clearly showing how the srping has imprinted on the column and how the column has snapped off at the base. It also shows a striker arm and base nuts along with one of the top filler nuts.
Hope that helps

RRPG

After seeing those pictures i cant help but kick myself for all the times i have thrown things like that away in the past. I wont be making that mistake again thanks

Matt

ghandi1945 wrote:After seeing those pictures i cant help but kick myself for all the times i have thrown things like that away in the past. I wont be making that mistake again thanks

Matt

lol

Well, I always follow a simple rule when out detecting for WW2 relics. Take EVERYTHING home, (assuming it is obviously inert and not a cake tin or fag packet of course). When I first started I, like you, used to ditch stuff on site, only to find out later it was an interesting and/or important relic. Now everything goes home with me and only gets chucked after I am positive it's not WW2 related.

I have a crate in the garage full of stuff still waiting to be identified. I'll guarantee that once every couple of months I'll see a picture of something and suddenly realise what it is !!

Take this funny little item. A rusty hunk of crap. Sat in my crate for 2 years. Then I stumbled on the below diagram completely by accident and remembered having it in the crate.
It now takes pride of place in my display as it is an EXTREMELY rare attachment, used for mounting a Lee-Enfield rifle to a Boyes AT rifle. The picture I stumbled on shows it quite clearly.
Amazing !

TAKE EVERYTHING HOME !!!!!



RRPG

nice finds indeed that chunk of 4.2 inch mortar could be part of a bursting smoke I have a piece exactly the same as that and my detecting buddy found a complete one that had just peel,d open down one side

that certainly is a nice find never even knew it existed and your right from now on i will take every inert item home.

RRPG wrote:

DSC02006.JPG

It now takes pride of place in my display as it is an EXTREMELY rare attachment, used for mounting a Lee-Enfield rifle to a Boyes AT rifle. The picture I stumbled on shows it quite clearly.

Boys AT attachment.jpg

RRPG

It appears the left hang wing nut bolt is upside down on your relic, they probably couldnt work out why it wouldnt fit, so threw it!!!

Why does it say at the top of the diagram "To permit firing .22 rifle ammo", when the Lee E is .303?!

Also, what was the need to fire a Boys .50" at a Tank or whatever and a .22/.303 at the same time? The triggers were connected together!

Great find though!