Breech block section

Discussion in 'Weapons, Technology & Equipment' started by George Blake, Mar 2, 2019.

  1. George Blake

    George Blake Member

    Hi Guys,

    I recently added this piece to my collection and am trying to identify its source. It came out of the Falaise area and the dealer believed it to be a section of a breech block.

    If it is, I think it would be either the housing for an interrupted screw block (although most these are cylindrical with no flat sides) or it's from the other end of the breech block where the barrel screws in. I think it is a screw thread rather than rifling.

    The piece has flat faces and two flattened sides. The surviving corner is bigger than 90 degrees, possibly suggesting more of a 'nut' shape.

    Using some maths, we have worked out that the diameter would have been 8.8 inches (roughly 220mm). Obviously if it is the 'barrel end' then the calibre would be significantly smaller given the thickness of the barrel.

    I understand that a positive identification from the few photos below is nearly impossible but perhaps somebody might have a better idea as to where to start looking for one.

    Sorry if this is the wrong section to post this, feel free to move it if necessary. Any help / comments would be appreciated.

    DSCN5010.JPG DSCN5018.JPG DSCN5013.JPG DSCN5017.JPG DSCN5014.JPG DSCN5012.JPG
     
    von Poop likes this.
  2. 2 Black Bands

    2 Black Bands Active Member

    This post / piece has intrigued me and I THINK one of the key issues lies in your final photo. I THINK some breeches and breech "doors" (please forgive the non-technical names) have several broken (with gaps in) concentric rings which came together when closed and were then locked by partially revolving one of the parts resulting in both sets of rings engaging to produce a lock. Such a set-up means that both pieces have concentric rings of "thread" and equally sized smooth gaps around the circumference allowing a coming together AND to facilitate revolving/ locking...a partial twist rather than a multi-revolution screw. However, you've raised an interesting point re gun barrel attachment ie where the breech unit actually fits onto the barrel - I recall seeing an impressive wall full of tank barrels in Bovington...but I cant recall if the breech end of the barrels have screw threads (the sort that needs turning through a number of revolutions for a final fit) or if they were insert and twist (say one quarter revolution only) to lock......speed of installation (if indeed there's such a thing as a quick-change-tank barrel!) being better achieved by an insert-and-partial-twist mechanism than a multi-revolution alternative of what is, after all, an extremely heavy bit of kit.

    Having spent quite a while looking at your (excellent by the way) photos, especially the last one, I wonder if this is indeed the remains of a SCREW (multiple revolutions to close) thread rather than a PARTIAL TWIST (part of one revolution only) as the top-most ring appears to be higher on the left side than the right...although I may be wrong. If this were to be the case, we'd be looking at something which would take multiple full revolutions to close entirely...effectively a bloomin' great bolt-type thing screwing into a massive nut or receiver.

    I think we're looking a substantial chunk of vehicle or artillery into which something equally big screwed (or locked) and I hope someone with knowledge in that area is able to point you in the correct direction....and allow me to get over this obsession :)

    To put it in Cluedo terms, we're looking for a big cylindrical thing (nearly nine inches across) which attaches to an equally chunky block-type thing, in Falaise.....and I doubt if it's Professor Plum!

    The whole look of the piece (including what appears to be impact damage) and its discovery location screams "military" but that's all I've got for now (thank you and sorry!)
     

Share This Page