Yard Sales, Flea Markets and Antique Shops 2025

[browningautorifle]

And finally, the 1pdr shell, first one with a screw on tip that I have.

Here's the one I have that compares, my others don't. Mine has a hole for tracer element though and a much larger explosive compartment.

[Flying10uk]

identifying the oiler. It's Russian, pretty sure about that but what era remains unknown.

I've seen some people "claim" these types of "Russian brass oiler" to be pre revolution possibly partly because they don't have a star on them. I'm not sure that anyone has managed to provide any proof that they are pre revolution or maybe they have and I haven't seen it?

---------- Post added at 12:07 PM ---------- Previous post was at 11:59 AM ----------

Here's the one I have

explosive compartment.

Jim, how would this type of shell be detonated with what appears to be a solid steel, screw-on tip, please? Would this tip have been replaced with a different one before firing? Thanks

[Aragorn243]

I've seen some call the oilers Russian, possibly Soviet so they are assuming the same thing. I don't think any of my Soviet oilers have stars on them. My books weren't real helpful Early ones were square, WWII were round but not THIS type. This one seems to have fallen through the cracks.

I was wondering the same thing about the explosive mechanism. I'm always a bit leery about unscrewing shell parts so haven't done more than tried loosening it by hand. Too tight for that.

[browningautorifle]

how would this type of shell be detonated with what appears to be a solid steel, screw-on tip,

Usually a base fuse but in this case no room for one. I'd think this would have a nose fuse replaced before firing or it becomes a penetrating projectile. Remember the armor of then wasn't much, more like boiler plate.

I'm always a bit leery about unscrewing shell parts

You sort of need to, nothing worse than having a live piece around. I have a 57mm Russian here that had a live primer for decades in possession of an acquaintance. I looked at it as soon as I got it and realized what was up so I set it off. Now it's safe... Your tip will unscrew, you may need to make a wrench though.

[Flying10uk]

I'm always a bit leery about unscrewing shell parts so haven't done more than tried loosening it by hand.

The largest ever explosion in the UK, according to some, allegedly, was caused by someone attempting to remove a bomb fuse with "the aid of a hammer and chisel". What is known for sure is that there is now an enormous hole in the ground.

---------- Post added at 04:59 PM ---------- Previous post was at 04:51 PM ----------

I've seen some call the oilers Russian, possibly Soviet so they are assuming the same thing. I don't think any of my Soviet oilers have stars on them. My books weren't real helpful Early ones were square, WWII were round but not THIS type. This one seems to have fallen through the cracks.

I believe that I've seen some people call them "Finish oilers" as well. Finland probably used them like they used a lot of Russian kit but what evidence there is that they may of made them I don't know.

[browningautorifle]

The largest ever explosion in the UK

Well, you folk certainly had(have) some large stuff acquiescing. No surprise there.

[Aragorn243]

The Finns marked everything they used SA so this isn't Finn used. Some may have been if these are early. The Finns inherited all this stuff as they were part of Russia up till the revolution.

[Flying10uk]

as they were part of Russia up till the revolution.

Yes, I am aware of that.

[Aragorn243]

I had a pretty good day today. I have not found a bayonet at a yard sale in a couple of years but found one today. I wasn't positive as to what it was when I found it but believed it to be a Belgian M1924 contract bayonet and at home research seems to confirm it. What country it went to remains a mystery. Serial number on side of bayonet lug.









The next item is a tricky one. M.H. Coles book U. S. Military Knives Bayonets & Machetes listed these as legitimate WWII machete's but they are believed to have been made by Ontario in the 1970's for Shreck Wholesale Industries so while dated 1944, it is not a WWII machete. They have managed to find their way into most every serious collector's inventory. Now it's in mine.











This next one is a mystery. It looks like a training rifle, but I can't find anything like it. It weighs more than a Paris trainer but is about three inches shorter. The barrel, bolt, trigger assembly and action appear to be made of cast iron. It's not an official military one by any source I can find but seems well made and has a unique bayonet lug. But at the opposite end, no butt plate. There are similarities to the Paris Trainer but sizes are off, materials are off, the cast receiver is off. Shapes are close.



























The last item today is a Cover, spare barrel M8.











Yesterday I picked up an Army Pamphlet from 1952. I'm wondering if it was put out in response to the Korean War, while not exactly encircled, US forces were forced into several coastal enclaves.



Found two missing Balentine books, War Leaders Churchill and Yamashita. I still need 17 of these blasted things. I used to love these when I was a kid. They were often my allowance money purchase for the week. At a dollar a shot, that was still pretty significant back then. Ballentine book or a couple of packs of football/baseball cards.

[browningautorifle]

a Belgian M1924 contract bayonet What country it went to remains a mystery.

And may always be, they fit everything from an FN 49 to almost any K98k rifle. The Yugos were using them still back in the '90's.

made by Ontario in the 1970's for Shreck Wholesale Industries so while dated 1944, it is not a WWII machete.

We used them almost exclusively in service, except a rubber type scabbard. Ours were all Ontario as far as I ever saw. They had very hard blades and they would chip at the edge easily.