Unknown ordinance found in stream? (photos included)

Discussion in 'Weapons, Technology & Equipment' started by Steve Chipman, Apr 17, 2020.

  1. Steve Chipman

    Steve Chipman New Member

    I was walking in a remote area in south-east England and I found something unusual in a stream.

    It is about 8 inches (20cm) long, has/had a white stony casing and inside was a metal thing with a grenade/pineapple design exterior.

    Is this a WW1/WW2 era device or just some random metal garbage?

     
  2. High Wood

    High Wood Well-Known Member

    It looks like a rifle grenade. I would leave it well alone and call the police who will alert the bomb squad who will make it safe.
     
  3. von Poop

    von Poop Adaministrator Admin

    Yep.
    Leave it where it is & call the old bill, mate.
    Nobody gets in trouble if it turns out to be nothing.

    I'm told by someone with experience that particularly in the case of possible grenades: don't touch. Sensitive items.

    Good luck!
     
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  4. Robert-w

    Robert-w Banned

    I would concur. Looks like a 1917 Hales No 20 Mk I rifle grenade. The fact that it has a thin layer of cement or concrete around it might have been an attempt to increase fragmentation in which case it could be part of an improvised mine or booby trap made by the Home Guard or Auxiliary Patrol in 1940/41. Definitely leave well alone and notify.
     
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  5. JimHerriot

    JimHerriot Ready for Anything

    And to all who may partake, or contemplate partaking, in magnet fishing my advice would be don't. No good will come of it.

    Best intentions and kind regards, always,

    Jim.
     
  6. Robert-w

    Robert-w Banned

    Particularly the No 3 and No 20 rifle grenades which were percussion detonated.
     
  7. Steve Chipman

    Steve Chipman New Member

    Update: I called the police, and the bomb disposal team came.
    Apparently, it was just a big lump of tar. It was cracked open and it just crumbled away.

    Sorry for the anti-climax :rolleyes:

    Thanks to everyone for their help anyway.
     
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  8. Robert-w

    Robert-w Banned

    Better safe than dead - possibly the mot juste for the current situation
     
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  9. von Poop

    von Poop Adaministrator Admin

    Good outcome, Steve.
    Thanks for updating - people don't always tell us what happened.

    Anyone passing by:
    Be like Steve - People still die from discarded ordnance on a regular basis.
     
  10. Dave55

    Dave55 Atlanta, USA

     
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