WW2 gunnery range - Two visits in one weekend - June 2012

[Steve T]

Hi all

Well, just come back from a lovely weekend over at my mother's holiday place in Norfolk. During our break there I got in two visits to the gunnery range I have been searching for the past few years, (whenever I am over that way !).

DAY 1

Up at 6am, on site for 4 hours. I spent the first 3 hours detecting around the small arms practice area then switched to an area where I have previously found some nice 50cal and 20mm cartridges, (this range was used by ground forces and the USAAF/RAF). Had a great haul on this first foray.......



A great mix of finds. Mainly 303 but also 30cal, 45cal, 9mm, 380cal, 50cal and 20mm. Seven different cartridge types in all, all WW2 dated. Four of the 50s came out of a very tight area and almost certainly came from the same aircraft, being found in a very neat line The 20mm was under a fallen tree trunk.......the detector just managed to pick it up.

Lots of rabbits too, but no close encounters




Day 2

Up at 5am, on site for 2 hours.

The evening before this visit I went for a walk with my good lady wife and she let me have a quick detect in an area I've never searched before, well away from all other locations I'd had finds from. I was very dubious there was going to be anything there but within 15 minutes I had 5 303s and 5 45cals. So, after a bit of friendly persuasion, I arranged to get to this site early the next morning before we left for home.

I was in an area no more than 50 feet square......and WHAT an area !!!!



In amongst the 100+ 303s are some strange bits I'll post later after cleaning.

However, I am sure the eagle eye'd amongst you will have spotted one of my best finds ever from this site.

Not only did I get a great 3inch mortar fin, but also the back end of a PIAT ROUND !!!! A quick clean and it'll be GREAT !!!



I'll post more pics once I've cleaned stuff

Laters

Steve T

[cornishboy]

Awsome finds Steve!! you must be pleased with yourself

[Steve T]

Thanks CB I am very pleased..........two firsts for me

Here is the 3 inch fin and PIAT tail after a damn good going over with a wire brush or two. I'll post more when I clean them up more

[LUCKYSTRIKE]

Hey Steve,

Excellent results Mate, those early mornings of yours were worth every minute. But for me,the Piat tail steals the show

LUCKYSTRIKE

[davejb]

Hmm, not bad i suppose, but i thought you might have cleaned it a bit better, see you did'nt have me with me little hammer

[Steve T]

Thanks LS Great ain't it !

It wouldn't have coped with you and your hammer Dave.......very fragile little beast it is. Like me.

[Whitehunter]

Good hunting and nice to see your up early!

[Steve T]

Ok, done some more cleaning.

The fins have been in the oven for 2 hours at 200 degree's to drive all remaining water out. Then a quick 'light' bash with a hammer to knock the loose stuff off, another brush with a wire brush, wash in soapy water and back in the oven for 30minutes to dry out.

I am going to leave them like this now as the metal is very thin and I don't want any more holes appearing anywhere !

[Salzburg]

Great finds, Steve. The PIAT tail is a gem! Not a lot else to do over here in Norfolk in such bad weather.

Regards

Martin

[Steve T]

Thanks Martin I am extremely pleased with the PIAT fin.

Here are a couple of other bits that I am not too sure about. Any help would be appreciated.



First up is what I think is the remains of a 3inch mortar fuze. Anyone confirm ?





Next up is probably part of an artillery shell nose fuze. Anyone know for sure ?



Lastly these little things. must be something ordnance related but no idea what !