Lying on the surface

OKW · 08-18-2009, 02:45 PM

Found on top of the ground, so not really dug, on site of ww2 airfield at Stoke Orchard, Gloucestershire. Any suggestions/

**jock auld** · 08-18-2009, 02:53 PM

Looks like the top of a flare gun cartridge. The body could be card board and has rotted? Like a big shotgun cart really.

Regards

Jock

OKW · 08-18-2009, 03:11 PM

Thanks for the reply, i thought a flare or small aa gun. There is a tight coil of something wound up inside the brass part and i wondered if this was some form of cordite? The primer has been struck so possibly a misfire?

**packin9** · 08-18-2009, 03:23 PM

It looks just like all the 12 ga. shotgun shells I have dug up. I have a jar full. They were paper shells that rotted away. What's left is just the brass and paper hull.

**zwerge** · 08-18-2009, 03:45 PM

Looks like a flare ctg. it`s about 40mm across the base so too big for a shotgun shell?

**packin9** · 08-18-2009, 07:39 PM

by zwerge

Looks like a flare ctg. it`s about 40mm across the base so too big for a shotgun shell?

I didn't say it was a shotgun shell. It seemingly appears to be made the same.

**GasMasksUK** · 08-19-2009, 12:21 AM

Is their any markings on the bottom which might show up better if you gave it a clean?

Thanks

Danny

OKW · 08-19-2009, 11:49 AM

None that i can see, the brass casing is quite fragile and a piece fell off the side.

**big ned** · 08-19-2009, 01:12 PM

Hi OKW,

This is the remains of a 1 1/2" flare cartridge. Note the scalloped rim for ease of removal. The actual case would have been waxed carboard. The coiled remnants of some wadding is still in the base.

Regards, Ned.