Lead pipe with copper strands and military cartridge w/"42 RA"

[PetesPockets55]

I'm hoping someone can shed some light on this old un-insulated lead pipe with copper strands on the inside.

On a whim I stopped at one of the overflow parking areas for the Old Dodgertown spring training camp to try my luck with my AT Max. Within 15' of my vehicle, my first signal turned out to be a spent rifle cartridge. Seemed only a little odd since the military had a training base in this sleepy little town during WWII. Old bombs, anti-tank traps, land mines etc. are found each year on the beaches. (Ft. Pierce is next door and has the UDT Seal museum). I'm thinking this area will be a hotbed of spent cartridges. Nope.

I spent the next hour or so picking up nothing but trash until on my return I got about 50' from my vehicle and had a strong signal about 8-10" deep. First thing out of the hole was a ragged piece of lead. Then I saw copper strands of wire and a pipe going straight down. When I finally got a piece cut away I realized the pipe was lead. No insulation anywhere. Not the outside of the lead pipe, not inside and not around the individual strands of copper. It is about 3/4" in diameter with 30-40 strands inside, and each strand is about the same thickness as a credit card (1mm/18ga?)

Does anyone know what this could be used for? Can't be for conducting electricity without any insulation but maybe radar or other low voltage transmissions?
I'm guessing this has something to do with the military installation here in the 40's. But anything electrical usually has insulation around the metal.

When I got home with a magnifying glass I saw "42 R A" on the cartridge. A quick search told me it was military (with only a date) and the RA indicates it was produced by the Remington Arms co. out of Conn.

Thanks in advance for any insight. PP55

 

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[gunsil]

Telephone wires, all the little wires are insulated. I used to chop off the lead to melt down for sinkers or round balls.

 

[PetesPockets55]

Thanks Gunsil.
Now I see what looks to be brown paperlike insulation at the base of the copper now that you gave me an ID. I guess the lead gave it protection since they didn't have PVC pipes.
Do you know if that phone cable was used above ground or below ground?

My neighbor thought it was a lead connector/splice for an old power line that fell and was buried. Like when they hook up a service. Yours makes more sense since the lead doesn't appear to be crimped.

 

[Professor of Engineering]

Interesting finds!

 

[PetesPockets55]

Thanks Prof.

Or is it Dr. POE? (As in Edgar Allen.)