Please help ID this relic

R

RRPG

New member
Hi All

I am very rarely beaten by a relic, but this thing has defied identification for quite some time now.

Recovered from a British army dump site, this piece is quite heavy and about six inches from tip to tip, and about 2.5 inches at its widest point. This is one of numerous examples of the same item recovered from the site. Every single item recovered from this site has come from a weapon or weapon mount, armourer's tools, case catcher bags etc. etc. It is definitely something military given it came from in among known WW2 relics, but what the hell is it!!??

The site has produced weapon and tripod parts from Browning MG, Vickers MG, Bren, Besa, Lewis, Lee-Enfield, Sten and many more, but I simply cannot track this piece down. It could be part of a tripod, or perhaps a grenade launcher mount, or possibly part of a firing mechanism, but I just can't find it!!

The hollow rod has a thread at the base which shows something screwed into it. The piece on the other end, offset, would have originally moved up and down and has some sort of cam inside.

Any help would be greatly appreciated.

Kind regards

RRPG





 

Attachments

  • DSC06738.JPG
    DSC06738.JPG
    170.4 KB · Views: 47
  • DSC06739.JPG
    DSC06739.JPG
    142.4 KB · Views: 37
  • DSC06740.JPG
    DSC06740.JPG
    144.8 KB · Views: 40
Last edited:
I think this one needs a good soak in muriatic acid; It may be easier to identify afterwards.

I don't know why, but what comes to mind for me is some kind of fuse trip or igniter for a fairly large planted explosive device.
 
It has already been cleaned as much as it can be I'm afraid. I worked on it for a long time, (including two days in citric acid and then a day with electrolysis), to get it to this state....

:D
 
I've always used muriatic (aka "pool" acid [hydrochloric]) which fairly quickly dissolves any oxide of ferrous metal without doing any significant damage to non oxidized iron/steel.

Unfortunately, given the current state of that item, you might not have anything left after immersing in muriatic. LOL:D

About 40 years ago, I was able to salvage a 1952 commercial Colt 1911 that had been buried in south Florida for a number of years. It was a solid block of rust, somewhat like the relics you have been recovering, and a soak in muriatic put it back into operation. Of course, some of the non-protected springs and the grips, which the bugs got to, had to be replaced as well as the magazine but I still have and shoot it to this day. Actually, from a distance it looks like it was engraved. LOL:D

Consider muriatic for rust removal, but always use gloves and have a fresh water bucket to dump your items into after soaking. After that, neutralize with baking soda, rinse again, dry and oil immediately. It really does work pretty good.
 
Thanks guys

Gyvel - This is precisely why I don't use muriatic acid. I have young children running about and citric acid, whilst not as effective, still does a damn good job but has the advantage of not dissolving children's fingers or hands or other parts of the body! Much safer, much cheaper, about 90% as effective :)
 
Oh, yes, I can see that it could be hazardous with children about. I'm "old," kids are gone and I live way out in the desert on a long dirt road, so I don't have those considerations to deal with.:)

What's even better is, as opposed to south Florida where the soil was extremely acidic, the desert soil is extremely alkaline so, when I want to get rid of the acid, I just throw it on the ground and they neutralize each other. Fun to watch it bubble and fizz.:D It always amazes me that it never seems to have the slightest effect on the desert weeds.
 
Almost looks like something for a bayonet. But what do I know? Lol on second thought I don't think it would be. Hm. This is pretty cool. So what time period are we talking?
 
About 40 years ago, I was able to salvage a 1952 commercial Colt 1911 that had been buried in south Florida for a number of years. It was a solid block of rust, somewhat like the relics you have been recovering, and a soak in muriatic put it back into operation. Of course, some of the non-protected springs and the grips, which the bugs got to, had to be replaced as well as the magazine but I still have and shoot it to this day. Actually, from a distance it looks like it was engraved. LOL
Click to expand...

Not to drift too far of topic, but I have a 1914 vintage Springfield Armory 1911 that sounds just like yours. Mine was hooked while fishing at a lake in California. Replaced the barrel and springs and it still shoots just fine. From a distance, it looks kind of like a Damascus finish.

OP, as for what that is, it looks as though it pivots, and it might be a latch to hold something. Maybe some kind of a vehicle mount for a weapon?
 
stonewall - I find these in the WW2 layer so not post war, but could easily be pre or even WW1.

Highpower - I see what you mean, but why the screw thread? The part with the screw thread is hollow by the way.......Which makes me think it's hollow to allow the pressure of a weapon firing through it. Grenade launcher?
 
Instead of muriatic acid, I use electrolysis to remove rust from the vintage wood working machinery I restore. We use Arm and Hammer baking soda as the electrolyte, and a battery charger.
 
Highpower - I see what you mean, but why the screw thread? The part with the screw thread is hollow by the way.......Which makes me think it's hollow to allow the pressure of a weapon firing through it. Grenade launcher?
Click to expand...

I don't think that it would be designed to fit inside a barrel due to the fact that there would have to be internal threads in the bore. I think there would be a problem with carbon filling up the threads.
 
A few more pictures that may help. One of the relics has markings on it, as shown below.

6163511B
C.F.S. Co.
LH


Not sure if I mentioned but the piece is roughly 4 inches long and 2 inches wide.





 

Attachments

  • DSC06759.JPG
    DSC06759.JPG
    147.8 KB · Views: 22
  • DSC06754.JPG
    DSC06754.JPG
    215 KB · Views: 25
  • DSC06757.JPG
    DSC06757.JPG
    232.3 KB · Views: 22
hartcreek - Possibly, but why would there be a cam inside one piece? I followed the link to the soft top cover but it took me to a general page. Any chance you could show me what you mean? We have found ammo chutes and other items weapon related but that would have fitted to a vehicle at this site.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top