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Relics found in the Ardennes near Manhay

Discussion in 'Battlefield Relics' started by pumpupthebbq, Apr 13, 2008.

  1. pumpupthebbq

    pumpupthebbq recruit

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    Hi all,

    I was wondering wether any of you can identify some items I found in the woods near Manhay a couple of years ago. I know some heavy fighting took place there during christmas of '44.

    1. Some kind of fuse?

    [​IMG]

    2. It looks like the base of a tripod or something...

    [​IMG]

    [​IMG]

    3. This thing is really heavy and looks like a cap of some sort (threading on the sides) but with some kind of mechanism on the inside?...

    [​IMG]

    [​IMG]

    3. Closeup of the back.

    [​IMG]

    Any ideas?

    Cheers,

    Pumpupthebbq
     
  2. bigfun

    bigfun Ace

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    Welcome BBQ!!
    Those are some interesting item! I don't know what they are but I can tell you we have many member here that I'm sure can help you! you might want to go to the "New Members" section just to introduce yourself, so we can get to know you a little better!
    Good luck on your research and again welcome!!
     
  3. Martin Bull

    Martin Bull Acting Wg. Cdr

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    Hello, pumpupthebbq....

    The first item - if the nose is made from brass, looks like part of the fuze from a US shell. The second item, I cannot identify.

    The third item is interesting ; it's identical to one I found two weeks ago at le Bas Aubry wood in the Falaise Gap. German artillery was sited in the wood and there were artillery-related relics lying about. As you say, the item is very heavy, and if you look closely at the one I have, it has a small brass ( adjusting ? ) screw let into one side of it.....

    Someone out there must know....?:confused:
     
  4. jagdpanther44

    jagdpanther44 Battlefield wanderer

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    I thought i'd seen one somewhere before....;)
     
  5. pumpupthebbq

    pumpupthebbq recruit

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    Hi Bigfun and Martin!

    @bigfun: Just introduced myself, thanks for taking a look!

    @Martin: Bang on! It's got a screw on the side:

    [​IMG]

    You think its artillery related?

    I thought i'd post one more find found in the same area, It's a piece of aluminium-ish plate with which looks like some kind of emblem on the front and a latch on the back...

    front approx. 6 inches long:
    [​IMG]

    back:

    [​IMG]

    Would love to get some more information!

    Cheers,

    Pumpupthebbq
     
  6. Martin Bull

    Martin Bull Acting Wg. Cdr

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    It is absolutely a 'double' of the one I found. At first I thought it may be a radiator cap ( the screw possibly being to relieve pressure and the base is threaded ) but it seems far too heavy for that. I guessed at artillery only because I knew that German guns fired from Aubry wood.

    I really don't know - part of a vehicle ? Half-track, maybe ? Very frustrating.....

    This will be one of those items which I'll see in a museum or militaria fair and think.....AH - HAH ! ;)
     
  7. 272VGD.

    272VGD. Member

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    Items 1 and 3 belong together.
    US detonator used on many kind of shells, 75mm/76mm/105mm/155mm etc.
    Used on different types of detonators, like the M51, M57 etc...
    You find these often on battle fields.
     
  8. 272VGD.

    272VGD. Member

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  9. Martin Bull

    Martin Bull Acting Wg. Cdr

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    272VGD - what can I say ? Superb identification work ! :cool:

    So that's another 'first' for me - a US relic of Falaise.....but logical when you think of it. Le Bas Aubry wood was being used to shelter German forces before the final dash to the river ; and as an artillery position to cover the crossing. It would have been under heavy bombardment from the US forces approaching toward Chambois ; the remains of shell holes could clearly been seen in the woods.
     
  10. 272VGD.

    272VGD. Member

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    The M57 etc. (item 3.) was also made from copper/brass, on a small scale.
    Very rare to find! I only have one yet.. which is not complete.
     
  11. S.Vestae

    S.Vestae Member

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    Hello All,

    Nice Relic !!! ;)

    Sebastien.
     
  12. 272VGD.

    272VGD. Member

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    We (my friend) dugup quite a few of these detonators some weeks ago in the German Eifel, some still in the metal containers, in very good condition!

    [​IMG]

     
  13. krieg

    krieg Ace

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    wow what a find are they mortor bombs like you sat some are still in good con
    what are the little pellet things
    and thankyou for showing us your good time
    cheers krieg:D
     
  14. 272VGD.

    272VGD. Member

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    TNT charge...
    Offcourse we didn't take this finds with us!
     
  15. Skipper

    Skipper Kommodore

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    Once again, nice find! I'm learning every day here. Could the cap be related to a hydraulic system? A could be a lid for the aiming and steering device. Just a guess , nothing positive.
     
  16. bigfun

    bigfun Ace

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    I agree Skip, I'm learning here as well, good stuff!
    I agree Martin, looks like a radiator cap?
     
  17. spotter

    spotter Member

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    These pics may help you with your identification
     

    Attached Files:

    krieg likes this.
  18. 272VGD.

    272VGD. Member

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    Exactly!
     
  19. bigfun

    bigfun Ace

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    Looks like a winner to me!! Nice work.....now what is it?
     
  20. 272VGD.

    272VGD. Member

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    Read my comments above.... ;)
     

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