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Small metal container WWI

D

Diesel

Member
Ordnance approved
Hello

These two small iron containers was found on a german WWI auxillery cruiser.

IMG_0094.jpg

They are 190 mm long and diameter is 40 mm. They can be opened by turning the upper half, but we haven't opened them yet. ( Don't want to have a unpleasant surprise) They were found not far away from 10,5 cm grenades. Does anyone have an idea what they contain?

Regards

Joern
 
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Hi joern

are they full metal or hollow ? (hollow i presume for container)
are they heavy ? do you think the metal is thin ?

Possible to have a photo of the top & the bottom ?
====
 
Hello

They are hollow and heavy. There are no markings. I don't have them here, but will take some photos tomorrow.

Regards
Joern
 
Hi Joern.........maybe an idea if you could weigh them too?? May help with identification. They are strange looking items. Do you have any more details about the type of Auxillary Crusier on which they were found - a photogrph of the type of ship again may help members.

I'm intrigued by these bits - very unusual.

regards Kev
 
Hi Kev

It was Meteor. It was a former British steamer (Vienna) that was laying in Hamburg at the outbreak of WWI. The Germans confiscated it and armed it. It had two warpatrols. On its last patrol at way home crossing the North Sea, it was hunted by a British group of 5 warships. They realised they couldn't escape and scuttled the ship after they had abandoned it.

Regards
Joern
 
Interesting that you say it was scuttled.........if these were found near the 105mm shells, could they be something to do with scuttling charges'? or 'destruction of equipment' ........just a thought and probably barking up the wrong tree!!!
whats the saying "better to keep quiet and look an idiot rather than open your mouth and prove it!!!!" LOL!!


link to details of Meteor

http://www.german-navy.de/hochseeflotte/ships/auxcruiser/meteor/index.html

regards Kev
 
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Hello again

Here are some more photos. Weight is 1200 gr.
 

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Intriguing little object, Joern. Might indeed by something to do with that scuttle charge. Looked at the web and found something similar
that was used as container for gun cotton. Still puzzeld by that extension at the side. And wonder what is still in it.

Regards, Jan
http://www.westernfront.nl
 
Hi Jan

Normally they used Sprengpatronen like this one.

Regards
Joern
 

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Hi

Near the containers was also found some unused scuttling charges like the one in previous post. Maybe it could be the detonater for these. It would make sense, that they could have the detonators safely with them under transport to where they should be used, in these handy containers and first take them out shortly before use.
 

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Diesel said:
Hi

Near the containers was also found some unused scuttling charges like the one in previous post. Maybe it could be the detonater for these. It would make sense, that they could have the detonators safely with them under transport to where they should be used, in these handy containers and first take them out shortly before use.
Click to expand...

Do the dimensions of the 'unknown containers' match that of the detonaters - do the sizes correspond? The containers would appear to be moisture proof?? and the 'hooks' on them could I guess be used to either clip them into a special pouch or belt for added security.......so I guess they could be used for detonaters, would make sense. Unfortunately I know nothing about these items, but will watch the thread with interest to see what others come up with - good luck on your ID.

regards Kev
 
Hi

I think it is not dangerous, and contains nothing dangerous.
May be more something for the ship , the navigation, the motors, electricity .... etc.... and not for the guns

Perhaps impossible to open.


A solution : if you can use X-Rays (dentist , factory ..) you can have an answer

=
 
Reading the link posted by butterfly, http://www.german-navy.de/hochseeflotte/ships/auxcruiser/meteor/index.html the Meteor's two operations before being scuttled were both minelaying duties.

The mystery container's shape reminds me of the Hertz horns on sea mines.

Do the horns on sea mines have to be armed before the mine is laid, and if so, could these containers hold the acid phiales used in the Hertz horns? The containers look robust enough to protect a glass phiale, and the hook on the side could be for holding them in a rack.
 
Could thy be the two bits each side of the ships compass,,,,,,,,, Dave
 

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Hello

Thanks for all the answers. They have now been opened and they were empty.

I was a little disappointed and didn't get an answer to my question.:tinysmile_cry_t:

After they were emptied and cleaned we could see they were made of brass and there are no marks.

container3.jpgcontainer2.jpgcontainer1.jpg

Regards

Joern
 
Hello David

The iron balls from compass are secured with a bolt when you have calibrated the compass and as we later found out these are not magnetic and have there for no influence on the compass.
Concerning the governor weights, I cant see how they should be mounted.
On one of the containers there are a small iron screw, maybe to equalize the difference of pressure?

Regards
Joern
 
Hello

I think I have found an answer for what the containers are, it only took 4 years :laugh:

I have found this drawing in a book. It looks like it is the container there are placed in the right side of the mineanchor, and it is containing the fuze for the mine until they arm the mine.
I think that the crew after laying mines have stored the empty containers for reuse.
I have looked for a foto of the container placed an a mineanchor to confirm it's right without luck.

Regards Diesel

image.jpg
 
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