Africa
Full Member
Yes went out metal detecting last weekend and was hunting around this old house that was out in the bush (country) on a farm, it was one of the first houses built in that area here in South Africa, anyway when I hunt around these old houses, I always go to where the fire place was in the house, was searching around the entrance to the fire place that was made from old sand stone rocks, I even had a look up the chimney, because sometimes people used to hang things up there to keep safe, they even knocked a nail into the stone work as well.While seaching I found some old nails and wire, but then I started to scan the outer slabs of sand stone rock and picked up this small sound from the machine, could not work out what it was, however once I had cleared away the loose dirt and sand that had spread over this area, I still got the signal from the machine, thus out came my old screw driver and I tried to lift and move the slab away, it did move slightly and then I managed to get my spade edge in the gap and then this slab of rock came loose, under the rock was this small compartment and lying inside wrapped in some stained oil type old cloth was this pistol.
It must have been lying there for many years, as you can see there are a few rust pit marks in the metal, but due to the dry conditions of this area, and the darkness and lack of air, these factors have preserved this gun very well.
After giving it a good clean up, this is what I found below.
I have managed to do some research on it and have found out that it was in fact used as a saddle gun on a horse to hunt Tigers and Elephants, it is also a smooth bore and the action of the percussion hammers still work. I will attempt to fire it one day, just have to get some caps , powder and balls for it.
I am going back to this area tomorrow to see what else I can find, I have heard of people finding a lot of items around these old fire places, this particular area, I have been told that there is this old lady who says that her family many years ago, buried some valuable items and she is still looking for them. Will try and contact her to find out more about this.
Well have an excellent weekend, here in South Africa , we have a public holiday and thus nice to have the extra time off from work.
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