Well been MIA for a few weeks now and struggling after I rolled my left foot at work ~ sad saga of work place failings as I see it ~
Thankfully I had my own "Mongrel" work boots as opposed to the standard supplied elastic side boots~
Anyway I have managed a couple of very short hunts on open flat ground/paddocks on the recommended pretext of exercising the ankle once it settled down ~
The first I decided on a specific permission site with open ground and no ( hidden or otherwise ) rocks or stones ~
I spent some time on the gentle slope but found little but for a nice solid brass knurled threaded cap ~ and several buttons ~
I was just about to pack it in and head home when I decided to push through the brush ~ and so glad I did ~ I suddenly was confronted with a partially cleaned paddock !~ The cocky had slashed the half the paddock ~
I was stunned ~
Within a minutes ~ I had a good signal ~ Turned out to be a (Hat ) Rising Sun ~ missing on pin but in amazing condition despite being encrusted with dirt ~
I was pretty excited and probably ~ well yes ~ rushed the preliminary recce of the area ~
But I returned to the immediate area of the RS ! And Blow me down I pulled a over coat button ~ I thought "Hmm looks like another Great Britain General service button!"
But no ~ it turned into a US Army coat button ~ "You Bloody ripper ! My first ever real US relic !! " Time for a small MD Happy dance !
I was stoked !!
I returned several days later with Dwayne ~ the off sider ~ I told him nothing and he was equally as astounded on arriving ~ after all we never thought the cocky would slash the area and only a lightning trike would ever clear the area ~
So as there was been considerable rain the regrowth of the area would mean we have to really hammer the paddock before the regrowth reclaims all and sundry !
We hooked in ~ and Dwayne did quite well ~ I was struggling a little as the foot was not overly happy and I found it difficult to tune in with the CTX.
I broke for a smoko around 10 :30 and reclaimed my focus after with some reasonable finds including a very 'stained green' collar Rising sun which I am planning to leave in the crusty green ~
We started quite early and by early afternoon we both decided to call it a day ~
I actually unearthed a Artillery Primer ~ which came as some what a surprise ~ knowing the nature of the site ~ It was in amazing condition and has four adjustment bands and a venting hole on the tip ~ The adjustment showed 0-30 increments in English ! But I had a symbol which looked like Japanese to me !
( I actually stored the thing until we were able to positively identify the device. ! Took "the team" effort to positively identify it as a Japanese 75 and 110 mm Anti-aircraft shell primer ! )
1944-09-07. QX34332 LANCE CORPORAL R. CURRELL, 5TH DIVISION SALVAGE UNIT CHECKING A JAPANESE 75MM MOBILE ANTI-AIRCRAFT GUN, TYPE 88. IT IS FITTED WITH THE MATCH POINTER DIALS SOMETIMES USED WITH THIS GUN WHILE A THIRD ONE IS FITTED TO THE SIDE.
TWO OF THEM ARE AZIMUTH DIALS WHILE THE OTHER IS AN ELEVATION DIAL. NOTE THE SMALL REPLICAS OF ALLIED AIRCRAFT PAINTED ON THE BARREL OF THE GUN DENOTING AIRCRAFT SHOT DOWN BY THE CREW.
This particular device has no spring trigger as typical of commonwealth and US fuzes and is driven by 'Black powder' which coupled with a top vent would render the black powder inert ! But I am soaking the thing to doubly ensure the integrity or lack of ! And will be certified by our UXO expert !
Japanese Type 89 Combustion Time Artillery Fuze - Inert-Ord.net
The reference courtesy of Inert ordnance.Org is very helpful and explains the device to fine detail/s ~ So I am very confident the device is inert ~ but as suggested will be taking further measures to 100% surety !
And I do not advocate any one ~ take liberties with these things and take ~
Dwayne picked up a brass bottle opener which he has since had repaired as it was broken in two ~ ( Apparently a Dutch manufacture ~ and looks the same style as the one I found several years ago ~ also in a military camp ! Except mine is much more the X factor ~ than a piddling man! )
My finds and clean up ~
Steel log splitter
The Rising Sun on the left is the latest cleaned up and the right is another I cleaned up bathed in snake oil and left in the Sun for some weeks to recreate the patina of the period.
My Holey silver
The folded piece I believe is a US style medallion backing plate !
The small piece between the *Victorian Buckle" and the Mini-ball prlectile ia Guitar pick made from a copper coin.
The farm pre-dates 20th century and later a military camp in WWII ~
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