Copper whatsit...

[Copperhead]

found this today...both ends are the same, except one end say No. 10, the other says No. 12..both ends say UMC CLUB...pretty sure it's copper...can't get it open yet(if it does open that is)...thanks for looking..

 

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[romeo-1]

It is two bullet shells...one inside the other. Oldtimers used to make match safes this way...prospectors used to hide small gold nuggets in them as well...crack it open!

 

[COUNTRY GIRL]

Nice job Romeo. I did not know that. Know I can't wait to see what is in there! Get her open please!

 

[Bluezman]

The primer on that still looks live! Be careful!

Bluezman

 

[Montana Jim]

The primer on that still looks live! Be careful!

Bluezman

Agreed... be carefull!

 

[COUNTRY GIRL]

OOOOPS I take back my open it statement .

 

[irbaddadjoe]

Bet its got ole Garret snuff in it.

 

[silverswede]

Great picture and I.d's folks. It looks like an old brass 10 gauge shotgun shell with a 12 gauge (maybe unfired) brass shotgun shell shoved inside. As Romeo posted this was common years ago and worked with later 12 Ga. and 16 Ga. shells too they could be filled with stick matches and dipped in paraffin wax for a good waterproof case. Done that. Nice find Copperhead let us know what the surprise inside is.

 

[ivan salis]

yep---its two old "brass" style metal shotgun shell casings one 10 gauge / the other 12 gauge--old timers used to make "waterproof match carriers" or for other small bit items---beware that primer looks "live" still---wonder whats inside?--(strike anywhere matches most likely)---Ivan

 

[junkdigger]

Just soak it in oil for a day,then try to pull it apart. But do not heat it up,nor use a hammer.

 

[captain Jack]

be careful but hurry already and show us what's inside it! Inquiring minds want to know!

 

[Bluezman]

I was so worried about your safety that I forgot to mention that it is a very cool find.
Hope you find a pleasent surprise inside.
Bluezman

 

[Superjonboy]

I will be interested to see if there is anything inside or if its just one shell shoved in a casing?

 

[Copperhead]

Well, sorry to report..there was nothing inside my find....and to those of you who warned about the primer you are right they both are live.....thank you..I was so engrossed into figuring out how to open it, I never even paid any attention to the fact that they were live....in regards to the shells, they are brass?...is there any way to date them?....thanks again for your warnings....I have enough trouble typing with my fingers, let alone my toes...

 

[ivan salis]

sorry to hear they were empty but the good news is the shell casings are old style types and thus most likely are fairly old--for safely I would "snap" those primers in a gun although it might drop the value of them --me I'd rather be safe---if the primers are that old their rather very unstable-- should just be a small" pop" so long as theres no powder charge in the shells---nice find by the way how did you find it?---Ivan

 

[Copperhead]

Thanks for the advice Ivan...I dug it out of the ever-growing dump site in my yard....