Found a casing

Discussion in 'WW2 Militaria' started by Tracy, May 5, 2009.

  1. Tracy

    Tracy Junior Member

    Hi all

    This is my first visit to your forum, I am hoping you can help me. I found a bullet casing in my woodland in Sussex, its metal and it says:

    1943, 20mm, K2

    on it.
    Complete novice and would love to know if this is exciting (more exciting than all the shotgun cartridges I keep finding! )

    Can anyone help me, or point me in the right direction?

    Many thanks
    Tracy
     
  2. Philip Reinders

    Philip Reinders Very Senior Member

    most ptobably 20mm from an allied fighter
     
  3. Tracy

    Tracy Junior Member

    That was quick! Thanks, and that is exciting! I shall have to find out more... wonder if there is likely to be more the same in the same area...?
     
  4. kfz

    kfz Very Senior Member

    Or it could possibly be German. Do you have pics, is there any other marks?

    Tracey, Please read the forum warning/disclaimer on picking up old ordance.

    Kev
     
  5. Tracy

    Tracy Junior Member

    I have put some pictures up on our blog, if links work on this? It is a bit rusty and not very clean. I don't know how to clean it, without wrecking it, so just used a little water to get the mud off.

    Peplers In Rye: Metal detecting

    I will read the old ordnance disclaimer, thanks.
     
  6. Owen

    Owen -- --- -.. MOD

    Had a Google on "Ordnance Markings K2" & found this.

    K2- ICI Ltd. (Kynoch), Standish, UK, 1939-1945

    Uscenter

    Also Google "ordnance head stamp K2" .
     
  7. kfz

    kfz Very Senior Member

    so Oerkilron or Hispano?

    Or are they both the same?

    Kev
     
  8. AndyPants

    AndyPants Junior Member

    thanks for that link, Owen - i have a few 20mm shells and just been able to identify them!

    cheers, AndyPants
     
  9. Philip Reinders

    Philip Reinders Very Senior Member

    if it is a big field you would be able to find some more, I Arnhem I once followed a trail of ten of them trough out the woods.
     
  10. Tracy

    Tracy Junior Member

    I was sent information from the war relics forum on this, I have posted what I have been told so far on our blog.

    Peplers In Rye: Metal detecting

    I will be looking for more in the wood as soon as I can!
     
  11. TonyE

    TonyE Senior Member

    It is a 20mm Hispano from an aircraft, not an Oerlikon. The Oerlikon was used by the army and the Royal Navy and has a rebated rim.

    There is no way of telling what the original loading of yours may have been, as unlike other calibres, the 20mm Hispano headstamp did not identify the load, e.g. ball, AP, HE, HEI etc.

    Regards
    TonyE
     
  12. Wills

    Wills Very Senior Member

    My late father a fitter/armourer RAF 1935 -1947 picked one up at a 'jumble sale' years ago, looked at the base and said Hispano! On enquiring he said the striker indentation is slightly different for different weapons. Similar with the .303 rounds you might find, rifle has a small concave round impression, the Bren has an elongated concave strike.
     
  13. Wills

    Wills Very Senior Member

    Try: British Ordnance Collectors Network - Thread. 20mm Headstamps.
     
  14. ww2ni

    ww2ni Senior Member

    Well Done!

    I often thought how many people on the ground got hit by falling shells?????
     
  15. Za Rodinu

    Za Rodinu Hot air manufacturer

    Or the pointy end!
     

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