What the heck is this thing?

[theGOLD]

Any ideas? My initial thought would be some type of a mortar or bomb or some type of projectile. Any input is appreciated.

-GOLD

 

[rmptr]

It's really neato!

How much does it weigh?
Is it magnetic?
Hollow sounding?

...got a ruler you could set next to it?

Maybe an end view?

About where was it found?

Is there any spot on it you can see beneath the concretions?


Good luck!
rmptr

 

[Hangingfor8]

don't go banging on it.... just in case

 

[Cablava]

Oceaneering did a documentary video about 25 years ago on a PR job on a well known vessel off Ireland. I remember the documentary showed a similar object only more bottle shaped at the bottom end. The superintendant thought it was bottle of Champers so he started cleaning it with a chipping hammer only to reveal a hand grenade. Be careful with these things, of course if came from a much older ship then you might try gently cleaning the growth of it.

 

[GOHO]

It looks alot like the bombs we find while working the 1622 fleet. Most of the bombs that were intact had fins though.

 

[theGOLD]

Yeah it really does look like a mortar or bomb or some type. I think that the fins which should encircle the small end have come off or eroded off. The small end definitely looks like it has a flat indented area, like the igniting cap on a mortar. The weird thing is that this was found (lets just say in the Caribbean) off of an island that is far away from anything next to a ballast pile that looks to be much older. I think it may just be coincidence that the two are in the same vicinity like your situation GOHO.
I cant think of anything that would look like this that would be older. Plus the lines are all a little too well done to be older.

-GOLD

 

[pcolaboy]

Check out a few of these:

Mk 76 Practice Bomb

Mk 274 Practice Warhead

WWII Era

I have no specifics on the dimensions/weight but I believe most were less than 20lbs. from what I've read before.

Pcola

 

[scubatreasure]

I can remember seeing some deck mounted cannon that had a similar size and shape.

Limo Bob

 

[pcolaboy]

I can remember seeing some deck mounted cannon that had a similar size and shape.

Limo Bob

Do mean something like a swivel-gun?

 

[aquanut]

I used to do a lot of drawings of the interiors of mortars, rockets and bombs back in the '70's for the Explosive Ornance Disposal Station in Indian Head, Maryland. I wouldn't run a magnet on it if I were you!
Aquanut

 

[theGOLD]

Yikes... wont be running a magnet on it anytime soon. Is there any possibility that this thing could be something other than a bomb or mortar? Any real chance of the deck/swivel gun being true?

-GOLD

 

[aquanut]

Hey Guy,
DO you have access to an X-Ray machine? Thats what I'd do... Anyway it appears too small to be any kind of Deck/swivel gun. Maybe a portion of a hand held Blunderbuss type of weapon.
Aquanut

 

[FISHEYE]

http://www.cnn.com/2009/TECH/science/02/26/undersea.munitions.cleanup/index.html

 

[scubatreasure]

I can remember seeing some deck mounted cannon that had a similar size and shape.

Limo Bob

Do mean something like a swivel-gun?

Exactly Pcola, I've seen them in a couple of different sizes , and i noticed from what I see here that the end does have a kind of flare to it and is shaped like a mini cannon, ya never know

Limo Bob

 

[FISHEYE]

Take the encrusted object to your local cat and dog/animal vet,pay them 10 or 20 bux and they will xray it for you.And of course dont tell them you think it may be a practice or real B o M b.tell them its some sort of treasure that you think may be gold or silver.Ask to talk to the main Doc,not some receptionist.Docs always have a curiosity about encrusted treasure.

 

[divewrecks]

Take the encrusted object to your local cat and dog/animal vet,pay them 10 or 20 bux and they will xray it for you.And of course dont tell them you think it may be a practice or real B o M b.tell them its some sort of treasure that you think may be gold or silver.Ask to talk to the main Doc,not some receptionist.Docs always have a curiosity about encrusted treasure.

Unfortunately, because of its low power, medical radiographic equipment is not very helpful with metalic artifacts. You will see the outline of the object, but little (if any) other detail.

I just posted a good overview reference under the heading "X-ray of Artifacts".

Stan

 

[theGOLD]

Found what I believe is a very old axe head at the site. I will post a picture for you to delve into tomorrow when I have it on my computer.

Thanks
-GOLD

 

[Hangingfor8]

Did you ever figure out what it was?