message carrier?

[mach1bang]

Hi there,
can anyone help with identification or info on this.
I was told it is a WW1 message carrier for trench use,launched by a spring or pneumatic device.
But that's just what the previous owner was told.
It is made of Brass with Aluminium stabilising fins which Spring out presumably on leaving a launching tube.
It has an empty tube and the nose cap and fin section are a friction fit not threaded and easily removed as seen
in photos.I was told a message would be rolled up and placed inside.It would seem to be something that could
be reused many times.
Thrustratingly there are no stampings or markings anywhere that I can see.
Overall length 33cm(13") exactly.
External tube diameter 21mm(13/16").

I think this is old and not a modern thing,the part with fins is solid,so no means of expelling a propelling gas
(not a rocket).But a projectile of some sort.
Has anyone seen anything like this.
Cheers Tim.

 

[kahu1]

Must have been what Sting was singing about...'Message in a Battle'...

 

[mach1bang]

Or maybe Elvis Return to sender,
but has anyone got any helpful input?

 

[kiwieod]

it would have to have some sort of tail streamers otherwise you would never find it in the mud

 

[mach1bang]

Maybe one day someone will find some documentation see a photo in a book or spot one in a museum or something.
If nothing else it's unusual and interesting and a nice piece to have.
Tim.

 

[mach1bang]

Just bumping this one in case there's fresh eyes on it.
Tim