MY FIRST SHELL(S)

M

MFJohnson

Established Users
Hey fellow relic hunters,

I have always wanted to find a shell, but in my 2 2-1/2 years of metal detecting, I've never found one. Well today, I found 6!! (more info on the finds came be found at http://www.mytreasurespot.com/forums/re ... msg-301883 However, now i'm faced with the task of having 5 of them disarmed as well as cleaning/preserving them. I'm my previous expierences, the experts here have been extremly helpfull. Any advice would be greatly apprciated.

Also, all of these were found within an aprox 20x20 feet area. Aren't all of them fired? Also, I believe both sides used these types, so determining US/CS usage from just the type of munition is probably no possible, right?

Thanks for the help. I still feel as though I'm floating!

Mike Johnson
 

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GREAT JOB!!! Six in one day is remarkable. I'm guessing they weren't shot, but laft behind in a hurry. Just a guess. If it were me, I wouldn't disarm them. I found my first shell in the early 80's. A shell expert told me they are pretty inert, but would have a better chance of accidental detenation by disarming them. I'd definely use electolysis to clean them up. Some of you more prolific shell finders and collectors should weigh in. I've only found one shell and one solid shot. I can remember my excitement of finding the shell, even though it's been 25 years ago. I'm guessing finding six has you on cloud nine. :lol: Way to go.

keep on diggin'

jimmyk in Missouri
 
After closer examination of your photo, I think at least some of them have been shot. Missing sabots and incomplete hotchkiss shells would indicate firing. Hard to explain all found in one small area. There must hvae veen others in the same general area, I'm guessing?

jimmyk in Missouri
 
You have found a great spot - and I think Jimmyk is right about the Hotchkiss (they appear to be 3") projectiles being fired. One hint is to determine whether the 12lb Bormann-fused shells have been cut - if not they are likely "dropped". You are certainly on the site of someone or something that the yankees didn't much like or the 4 fired Hotchkiss projectiles wouldn't be clustered like that. A good cleaning of the 12lb spherical projectiles should also help you ID the Bormann fuzes as Confederate or yankee. In any case, they aren't much of a threat as long as you don't use them for fireplace ornaments.

You will be able to get plenty of help having them unloaded & electrolysized via this forum. Good work.
 
Thanks for the info, I was thinking about letting Larry Hickman do them but he charges $50 a pop and can't do them in atleast 2 weeks.

Thanks,

Mike
 
Mike,

Congrats on your find(s), they are truly amazing! One tidbit to maybe help resolve your mystery. I have spent many years detecting and talking in the Western Theatre. On more than one occasion I have spoken with people who have found groupings of shells in more than one instance. Most times this was the result of the farmer plowing them up or finding them on the farm and moving them to a location, that at that time, was out of the way of their normal farming activities. May not be the answer in your situation, but may help solve part of the puzzle.

Great job,
Rick
 
HIGH FIVE!

Nice finds!

That blows my mind away. I hope I get to find something like that.

Great stuff.
 
GREAT FINDS!

I hope I can find something like that one day. We need to go hunting together sometime. lol

Nice!
 
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