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Help identify this brass shell
September 22, 2019, 04:46 PM
gearhoundsHelp identify this brass shell
The family went to an estate sale that was all vintage/antique items. Among the treasures they found was this beastie. There are no markings I can discern on the base and no apparent primer; rimfire perhaps? Or is it just a Knick-knack holder made to look like a shell? It is definitely old, but just how old is a mystery. Any ideas from the brain trust?
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“Remember to get vaccinated or a vaccinated person might get sick from a virus they got vaccinated against because you’re not vaccinated.” - author unknown September 22, 2019, 05:23 PM
C-DubsOld signal flare possibly?
About 40mm id
“I won't be wronged. I won't be insulted. I won't be laid a-hand on. I don't do these things to other people, and I require the same from them.” September 22, 2019, 05:32 PM
sigfreundIf it were a cartridge of some sort, it would have to be a very large rimfire and that would require the brass to be pretty thin. How heavy is it? If you can see down into the bottom, a rimfire cartridge would have an open groove into the rim. Anything like that?
Based on its size and the shape of the mouth, though, I doubt it’s a cartridge of any type.
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To operate serious weapons in a serious manner. September 22, 2019, 05:54 PM
MikeinNCquote:
Originally posted by C-Dubs:
Old signal flare possibly?
About 40mm id
Old flare rounds were for what’s called a “very gun” or “very pistol” made out of brass or pot metal during the world wars they fired brass cartridges. And used primers.
Your item doesn’t not look like one. It doesn’t have a primer pocket, and I’ve never heard of a rim fire round larger than .50. Which they certainly is.
Got any pics from the open case mouth?
"Violence, naked force, has settled more issues in history than has any other factor.” Robert A. Heinlein
“You may beat me, but you will never win.” sigmonkey-2020
“A single round of buckshot to the torso almost always results in an immediate change of behavior.” Chris Baker September 22, 2019, 05:57 PM
cgodeThe mouth appears to be crimped down to a slightly smaller diameter as if it held something softer. It’s weird but looks strangely familiar at the same time.
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September 22, 2019, 06:28 PM
gearhoundsWeight is @ 5 oz. looking at it after a rinse in hot water, the base looks to be crimped onto a corresponding flared lip on the base of the tube. There also appears to be a very well finished seam in the side- it looks too clean and straight to be anything but machine made. There is a slight split at a he mouth. There does not appear to be a groove that I can see for a rim primer.
“Remember to get vaccinated or a vaccinated person might get sick from a virus they got vaccinated against because you’re not vaccinated.” - author unknown September 22, 2019, 06:55 PM
bigmuleI’m thinking it’s not fire arm related.
September 22, 2019, 06:57 PM
MikeinNCWith the new pic I’d say it is not ordnance related
"Violence, naked force, has settled more issues in history than has any other factor.” Robert A. Heinlein
“You may beat me, but you will never win.” sigmonkey-2020
“A single round of buckshot to the torso almost always results in an immediate change of behavior.” Chris Baker September 22, 2019, 06:57 PM
gearhoundsquote:
Originally posted by bigmule:
I’m thinking it’s not fire arm related.
I’m inclined to think the same the more I look at it, but still at a loss to imagine its actual use.
“Remember to get vaccinated or a vaccinated person might get sick from a virus they got vaccinated against because you’re not vaccinated.” - author unknown September 22, 2019, 08:30 PM
rburgThe very early 45-70 rounds looked like that. They held their primer inside and fired just like a centerfire with the firing pin striking the center of what looked like the rimfire shell. I forget what they called them, but they worked. This might be the same deal. Or not.
Unhappy ammo seeker
September 22, 2019, 08:32 PM
casIs there a flash hole inside? There were internally primed cases, and cases where the head and body were made from two parts.
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September 22, 2019, 08:47 PM
gearhoundsquote:
Originally posted by cas:
Is there a flash hole inside? There were internally primed cases, and cases where the head and body were made from two parts.
No flash hole that I can see.
“Remember to get vaccinated or a vaccinated person might get sick from a virus they got vaccinated against because you’re not vaccinated.” - author unknown September 22, 2019, 08:49 PM
gearhoundsquote:
Originally posted by rburg:
The very early 45-70 rounds looked like that. They held their primer inside and fired just like a centerfire with the firing pin striking the center of what looked like the rimfire shell. I forget what they called them, but they worked. This might be the same deal. Or not.
No dimpling or deformation of the bottom that I can see, inside or out.
“Remember to get vaccinated or a vaccinated person might get sick from a virus they got vaccinated against because you’re not vaccinated.” - author unknown September 22, 2019, 08:58 PM
George43Tumble or Brasso it for a better look.
A gun in the hand is worth more than ten policemen on the phone.
The American Revolution was carried out by a group of gun toting religious zealots.
September 22, 2019, 09:12 PM
P220 Smudgequote:
Originally posted by George43:
Tumble or Brasso it for a better look.
And if it's some random "they only made five of these and you found the only known example in an estate sale?!" kinda thing that belongs in the Smithsonian, then you've probably done the wrong thing by cleaning all the patina off it.
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"If the truth shall kill them, let them die.”
Endeavoring to master the subtle art of the grapefruit spoon.
September 22, 2019, 09:15 PM
gearhoundsquote:
Originally posted by P220 Smudge:
quote:
Originally posted by George43:
Tumble or Brasso it for a better look.
And if it's some random "they only made five of these and you found the only known example in an estate sale?!" kinda thing that belongs in the Smithsonian, then you've probably done the wrong thing by cleaning all the patina off it.
Which is why I rinsed it with hot water only; just enough to get the dust and spider webs out of it. That it is old is not in doubt so it stays in its current condition regardless.
“Remember to get vaccinated or a vaccinated person might get sick from a virus they got vaccinated against because you’re not vaccinated.” - author unknown September 22, 2019, 10:22 PM
P220 SmudgeYou’re doing the right thing. To be clear, I was only highlighting the potential folly of tumbling and brasso.
I wish I had more to contribute, but I’ll say this, cool find whatever it is. At the very least, it’s the sort of thing that would look neat on top of the mantle or a shelf over your safe.
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"If the truth shall kill them, let them die.”
Endeavoring to master the subtle art of the grapefruit spoon.
September 22, 2019, 10:28 PM
ShneaSIGPunt gun shell?
-ShneaSIG
Oh, by the way, which one's "Pink?" September 22, 2019, 10:30 PM
Rey HRHquote:
Originally posted by MikeinNC:
With the new pic I’d say it is not ordnance related
The new pic makes me think I've seen that before. And the only place I would have seen that would be in the navy.
Ring any bell with you?
"It did not really matter what we expected from life, but rather what life expected from us. We needed to stop asking about the meaning of life, and instead to think of ourselves as those who were being questioned by life – daily and hourly. Our answer must consist not in talk and meditation, but in right action and in right conduct. Life ultimately means taking the responsibility to find the right answer to its problems and to fulfill the tasks which it constantly sets for each individual." Viktor Frankl, Man's Search for Meaning, 1946.
September 23, 2019, 12:25 AM
NuclearGot a museum nearby? Or you could do an image search on the internet.
But I got nothin'.