Solid Brass U.M.C. Co. 8 Gauge Shotgun Shell Casing

mcl

Sr. Member
Sep 26, 2014
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Finally got to go out and do some real hunting. Found some bottles I'll have to get IDed at some point, but here's something I found with the metal detector that gave me a real surprise.

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It's a HUGE 8 GA shotgun shell casing made of solid brass. I had no idea such a thing existed. Stamped "U.M.C. Co. No. 8" on the bottom. Google says the company existed 1857-1911, which matches the date range for this spot perfectly.

IMG_1940[1].JPG

Didn't have a 12 GA shell on hand so for comparison, here it is standing against a can of Diet Coke.

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It's so big it almost fits over my entire middle finger.

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-mcl
 

Upvote 2

UnderMiner

Silver Member
Jul 27, 2014
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New York City
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Love those old brass shotgun shells, great score! :thumbsup:

Back in the day people sometimes made them into match holders.
 

ScubaDetector

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Mar 1, 2016
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Port Huron MI
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Yep they made them. I have a 4 gauge around here somewhere. Just the brass bottom though. I would never shoot a 8 and a 4 had to be mounted to a boat. They made them for duck hunting. LOTS of ducks at once.
 

cambria09

Bronze Member
Jun 10, 2012
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Florida
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Hello mcl. Nice find...never seen an 8 Gauge. I find shot shell head stamps all the time, some folks throw em out but I love digging them. Most are easy to date and help put time mark on the site.

Good Luck and thanks for the post. C9
 

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