ID Help Please

[merlin_industries]

Can anyone help ID this item ? It looks like some sort of fuze or percussion device. The headstanp on the percussion caps is KYNOCH no other letter or date are visible due to wear. Must be British in origin. Overall diameter is 95mm ( may have been around 100mm originally but worn a bit in the sea ) It was found on a beach in Orkney, so probably WW1 or WW2 and Naval Origin. Any help much appreciated.
Cheers
Merlin

 

[ydnum303]

Hi Merlin,

As far as I can see, looks like the headstamp on the left-hand cap reads "ELEY-KYNOCH .410", but what what the item is, and why it uses 2 cut-off .410 cases has me completely puzzled. However, I'm sure someone else here will know what it is.

R.

 

[roller63]

Not sure either, but will be good to find out. Nice ruler by the way !

 

[merlin_industries]

It could be .410 . It is certainly well made and heavy , the two holes are threaded. I orignially thought it may be some form of primative mine det or shell end, however I have never seen any mines with anything similar and the only shells I have come across only have one det cap.
Cheers
Merlin

 

[merlin_industries]

not got my archaology kit with me this trip, so had to borrow the kids ruler ;-)

 

[merlin_industries]

Anyone got any clues on this item ?

 

[Chris 42 RQ]

No ideas I am afraid but what an interesting item it is-two cartridges for a "fail safe" firing of whatever it is/was makes it possibly an air dropped item but at that age (early cartridge bases as they are Brass)-very curious indeed ???????????????????
Thanks for sharing that with us and who knows it may yet be identified.

 

[merlin_industries]

Just dug this one out of the finds box again. Still no further forward with ID'ing it. Couple of thoughts. Maybe a starter cartridge ? or Maritime signal device ( flare , smoke canister etc )
Any help would be much appreciated.