Artillery shell or what?

[Lenrac2]

So we dug this up at the old farm field today. It is 7 inches long about 56-58 mm across and is hollow up to about 3-4 inches in the bottom. It weighs 5 lbs. 13.3 oz. with whatever is in it (probably dirt but I'm not comfortable poking around in it). Is this a shell? If not, any ideas? Is it safe if hollowish? I'm sure the plow has been knocking it around for years. Sorry for crap pics, it's dark out and don't want to bring it in. Thank you for your thoughts.

 

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[Digger RJ]

So we dug this up at the old farm field today. It is 7 inches long about 56-58 mm across and is hollow up to about 3-4 inches in the bottom. It weighs 5 lbs. 13.3 oz. with whatever is in it (probably dirt but I'm not comfortable poking around in it). Is this a shell? If not, any ideas? Is it safe if hollowish? I'm sure the plow has been knocking it around for years. Sorry for crap pics, it's dark out and don't want to bring it in. Thank you for your thoughts.

Nice!!! Congrats!!!

 

[river roamer]

Interesting find

 

[UnderMiner]

It's definetly an artillery shell. The copper driving band on the bottom doesn't show any rifling scars which indicates it's never been fired.

 

[Lenrac2]

It's definetly an artillery shell. The copper driving band on the bottom doesn't show any rifling scars which indicates it's never been fired.

Thank you! So dangerous or no?

 

[Lenrac2]

It's definetly an artillery shell. The copper driving band on the bottom doesn't show any rifling scars which indicates it's never been fired.

Also, any idea on age? Thank you.

 

[UnderMiner]

Also, any idea on age? Thank you.

Going to need some more pictures. Are there any markings? Is there a conical brass fuse on the top?

 

[oldmxrat]

I'm thinking it's a piston from a hydraulic cylinder. The grooves would have had seals. It looks like a tubular piece has broke off from the opening which would have been the ram.
Just my opinion.

 

[Lenrac2]

Going to need some more pictures. Are there any markings? Is there a conical brass fuse on the top?

So getting it out again it is definitely an artillery shell. Printing on a band is "FMT-E?-1-44-57mm M86". WWII I guess. So is it safe or no? Hollow to about 4 inches but still don't want to poke around without knowing.

 

[Lenrac2]

I'm thinking it's a piston from a hydraulic cylinder. The grooves would have had seals. It looks like a tubular piece has broke off from the opening which would have been the ram.
Just my opinion.

I appreciate your input! After looking at it closer, it is an artillery shell. It's not what we were expecting or wanting to find in a farm field.

 

[UnderMiner]

So getting it out again it is definitely an artillery shell. Printing on a band is "FMT-E?-1-44-57mm M86". WWII I guess. So is it safe or no? Hollow to about 4 inches but still don't want to poke around without knowing.

This is a 57mm M86 artillery shell made in 1944. I'm sure one of the artillery shell experts on here can tell you more. I can't say if it's still live or not but it's always better to assume it is. These shells were often filled with explosives like TNT or similar which become more sensitive to detonation as time goes by.

The M1 57MM anti-tank gun pictured here used that round:

 

[Lenrac2]

This is a 57mm M86 artillery shell made in 1944. I'm sure one of the artillery shell experts on here can tell you more. I can't say if it's still live or not but it's always better to assume it is. These shells were often filled with explosives like TNT or similar which become more sensitive to detonation as time goes by.

The M1 57MM anti-tank gun pictured here used that round:
View attachment 2068471

Thanks for your help! Thats a huge gun! I hope an expert weighs in. We really don't want to deal with a bomb squad. And insurance likely won't cover an "accident". 🙂. Definitely ain't coming in the house.