Explosive find during first Equinox 800 water hunt

[ltd063]

Received the waterproof headphones for my Equinox 800 on Wednesday. (A big "Thanks" to Keith at Fort Bedford metal Detectors.) So, I had today off and decided to get in the water and give the 800 a run. At first I was a little scared. The machine was so quiet, I thought I had broken it when I put it in the water. (I am used to the constant hum of threshold on my Excal II.) It took a couple of minutes to get used to it (yes, I know, I could have adjusted the threshold volume). First signal was all over the place, from 6 to 38. Started digging and it turns out to be a bunch of keys. About the 5th set I have pulled from this spot. Next signal is a really loud 15 and it is big. I end up pulling a homemade lead weight out of the water. Someone had made it by pouring lead into a coffee can. Thing must weigh at least 4lbs. Then the hunt sets into a routine of finding lots of junk iron, car parts and a few coins and other interesting pieces. Long story short......about 3 hours into my hunt, I get a screaming 21 signal. I'm thinking cell phone. I start feeling around the bottom, pushing rocks out of the way and I feel this cone shaped object. Definitely not a cell phone. I pull it out of the water and just about dropped it like a hot potato. It's a live artillery fuse. I recognize it from my time in the Army. Someone snuck it off base and then panicked and tossed it off of the bridge I was near. Needless to say, the authorities were not too excited to hear from me. The military guys that responded were great. The civilians were annoyed. Extra paperwork for them, I guess. Extra paperwork for me too, writing statements about the whole thing, having my license run to see if I am a criminal, my vehicle searched, etc....

I am excited about the 2 wheaties I found, 45D and 40 or 46. That brings my lifetime wheat total to 4. Doubled up! WooHoo!
I also think the piece of that bronze statue is cool. Looks like a Hindu god to me. Maybe one of the really smart people here can tell me more about it.

Thanks for looking. Happy Hunting and may your next swing bring your coil be over the top of your bucket list.

 

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[Rookster]

Man, that's a pouch full. Congrats on the hunt.

 

[ltd063]

I have an inner tube with a mesh bottom that I have tied to me. The big items go in it, the small items go in my pouch. I think all of the items weighed about 50lbs.

 

[sprailroad]

In regards to the live artillery fuse. Here it is, you try to do the right thing, simple right? and then BAM! It's "Having "MY" license run to see if "I" am a criminal", and "MY" vehicle searched etc......wow. Anyway, good hunt, and with the next one, I hope for some silver for you.

 

[Hawks88]

Wow! Nice assortment of finds. Congrats

 

[Trezurehunter]

Thats a nice variety.

 

[BLK HOLE]

Congratulations on the varied finds, did EOD tell you what type of shell the fuze went too?

 

[Ammoman]

Cool finds! Sucks that the authorities would give you such a hard time over turning in old ordinance. Kinda deters you from wanting to do the right thing.

 

[ltd063]

Congratulations on the varied finds, did EOD tell you what type of shell the fuze went too?

I was allowed to leave before EOD showed up. They were taking their time getting there. The fuse was large enough to fit a 82mm mortar round or any artillery round.

 

[ltd063]

Cool finds! Sucks that the authorities would give you such a hard time over turning in old ordinance. Kinda deters you from wanting to do the right thing.

I would rather be a little inconvenienced than see some innocent people hurt. Everyday, there are a lot of people that tube/kayak/canoe right over top of the spot where I found it. Not to mention the support structures for the bridge only a few yards away.

 

[UnderMiner]

Did you consent to having your vehicle searched or did they simply start searching it? Because with no warrant and no probable cause they would need your consent to search your vehicle. Best part is you can say "no" and they can't search it, makes life easier for everyone becasue if they find some old relic that you found long ago that you left in your car that they deem illegal to have then they own you.

 

[A2coins]

sweet finds does that achine dig too

 

[Professor of Engineering]

That is one huge hunt!

 

[ltd063]

Did you consent to having your vehicle searched or did they simply start searching it? Because with no warrant and no probable cause they would need your consent to search your vehicle. Best part is you can say "no" and they can't search it, makes life easier for everyone becasue if they find some old relic that you found long ago that you left in your car that they deem illegal to have then they own you.

I did consent. I have nothing to hide (that they would find by searching my vehicle, that is. lol) Like I said, military guys were great. No need to make things contentious.

 

[ltd063]

sweet finds does that achine dig too

A2coins,
Not quite sure what you are asking.....

 

[against the wind]

That little bronze head looks like Medusa, lucky you didn't turn into stone,, lol
Congrats on your finds.