No4 Battle damaged relic....

[Son]

That's sort of what I was thinking Peter. Why destroy something historic like that? It's just a matter of the autorities not having any imagination in these matters.

I'm afraid it has nothing to do with imagination and all to do with procedure. Where Peter, in his position, could have the final say on how to inert a live round in a chamber as opposed to blowing it... the procedure here is very much black and white.

[browningautorifle]

Yes, I guess the book states...

[Badger]

Here's another extensive thread with links on....

Battle Damaged Enfields? (click here)

Links mentioned in that thread ...

Here's what we have so far, scattered amongst various threads and independent articles …

SMLE hit by AP round !! (by Peter Laidler)

Friday 13th SMLE sniper damage (by Kev G)

Exploding P14 Grenade Discharger Cups (by Peter Laidler)

1912 No.1 MkIII Enfield Rifle (Battle Damaged) (by terryinvictoria)

Regards,
Doug

[bigduke6]

Yep, the propellant was as volatile as the day it was made!

During my younger years, well before beer and women had entered my life on a more regular basis, I spent plenty of my time on the moors nearby my parents place in Cumbria with my metal detector, the moors were a practice ground for the army in WW11, apart from plenty of spent .303 cases that were from the Bren guns, there was a huge amount of live rounds I would find, in one instance they were scattered down a slope about a 150 altogether, most of these I didnt need the metal detector, as they were still lying on the surface were they were dropped over 44 years before, my mum was not too keen on me bringing old live rounds to the house so I carried a set of pliers on me and old freezer bag that had a zip on, once collecting up my hoard I would find a nice spot with a view then proceed to get the contents from the cases ( strands of cordite) the case was so brittle that the bullet would snap off when using the pliers, then would empty the contents in the freezer bag, once home the cordite was stored in a sealed tin until I was making a batch of Mini rockets.

Progress from mini rockets to bigger ones was a quick learning curve, at the end I was able to produce a decent rocket, and using the contents of 2" parachute flares ( used to find these complete, with the parachute in side, they had failed to go off) the rocket would gain some height and then explode with a shower of bright sparks etc.

All good fun, but I never realised the dangers involved at that age, other items I would find every now and again was live 2" HE mortor rounds, which the Bomb Disposall were called in to explode, for the fist one I found An officer from Deysbrook barracks let me watch over him as he prepared it for detonation then let me light the fuse, exciting stuff when your a kid, I very much doubt you could do that these days

One thing I would say on the first one I found, the Local Bobby come out to inspect it, I was with my father at the time and we walked to the spot of the HE round, I couldn,t believe what the Policeman did at this point and I know it caused my Dad some sleepless nights, he picked it up and threw it, me and my dad ducked for cover, but it landed with a dull thud LUCKY for us, the copper turned round and then told us thats how he tests them, I can still see today the shock and horror on my Dads face and hear some of the distinct words he had used.

Not long after this a local in the village told me how him and a few mates had found a grenade (not long after the war), they were messing about with it and it went off, dont remember the wounds he received, am sure one was killed and I remember seeing one of his mates, who was blinded in one eye and suffered some wounds to his face.

My outlook on old live ordnance changed after that meeting, and whenever I was out on the moors I proceeded with caution, and not long after I stopped going.

About 16 years after my Interest with the metal detector was rekindled but I was looking for valuable and less dangerous loot, namely Roman gold and silver.

Back to the original thread, I pass the Fort every other day on my bike when I,m off duty, so will ask one of the wardens at the park to see if I could contact the the guy who did the Ordnance museum part of the Fort, and get some better photo,s.
The Fort is open every last Sunday in the Month for anybody thinking of a visit, not a lot in there, but its run by volunteers, with some council funding.
Its strange that Tilbury fort is run by the English Heritage that approx 3 miles down from the Coalhouse fort.

[smelly sam]

Bit off topic, but on top of an ex-service club at Cooktown, Queensland sit a couple of old MGs. One day a manby nannystate woman walking past notices them, gets all self indignant and complains to the police. You can imagine the rest...

Cooktown RSL's historic guns confiscated- Local Cairns News | cairns.com.au

[xa-coupe]

It's a sign of the times here. Stupidity like that is becoming commonplace.

[bigduke6]

Was at the fort again got some better pics (will upload tonight) the cocking piece was missing but did a quick test and sure enough there was one up the spout, advised accordingly and offered my service.

[Thunderbox]

In the museum at Arnhem:




Not only loaded and cocked with the safety off, but found with bayonet fixed:

[Brit plumber]

Nice UXO display, Sten Mk5, Enfield No.4, Bren Mk2 with mk1 Barrel and a spare Mk2 barrel in the leaves.

[bigduke6]

Replaced pics at beginning of the post for better quality ones.