Is this anything to be worried about?

[OutBack Duo]

Can anyone tell me why this is like this. It appears to be a 12Ga shotgun shell pushed inside of a 10Ga shell. The strange thing is (I don't know anything about shells), the 10Ga shell appears to be made of copper or brass. I thought all these shells were made of paper or plastic. I have tried to twist them apart but haven't had any luck yet, maybe I should try the vise.

 

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[baspinall]

Shotgun shells used to be made of brass. Some people collect them. Don't think you have anything to worry about, the cap looks to be missing so they should be empty.

Brian

 

[djabend]

That looks like old shotgun brass made into a container of some kind, does it rattle? Open it!
Could have also been someone bored on a hunting trip and contain nothing
HH,
Donny

 

[OutBack Duo]

I found it in the front yard of a 100 year old house. Do you think they are older than 100 years?

 

[SC_hunter]

Is there any markings on the end of the shell that you can make out/ Btw, if the shell is 2 3/4 inches it was made after around 1920..that is the length of the shell open, not crimped..earlier shotguns chamber was shorter than that.

 

[OutBack Duo]

This is two shells together, both ends say winchester, one says 12ga and the other says 10. The end you don't see still has the primer in it.

Here is a picture of the other end

 

[SC_hunter]

Check this out... http://cgi.ebay.com/Vintage-Brass-S...3325646QQihZ020QQcategoryZ71138QQcmdZViewItem

 

[junkdigger]

Hunters used to store matches in shells like that(practically waterproof). Or there may be treasure in them! All brass shotshells are a rare find,likely late 1800's to about 1920's. I've found only one in 40 years of detecting,a 20 gauge just last spring. A 10 gauge all brass shell is COOL!

 

[OutBack Duo]

Wow you are good! Thanks for the info, I think I am going to try to get it apart without damaging it.

Thanks Again!

 

[SC_hunter]

BTW...Nice find.

 

[ivan salis]

look in via the open end (minus the primer ) if the end with the primer is dented --- looks like it is in the photo right? ( that means its been fired and is thus safe ) -- hunter's used it as a sort of water proof safe and often used them to store matches and other odd bits --- old brass shells are rare and cool items -- try not to damage em whilte taking them apart -- Ivan

 

[sanford.]

Could also be a homemade plug for a pump shotgun. Some regulations (usually bird hunting) only allow 3 or 4 shells to be chambered. Most magazines hold at least 5. The dummy shell or shells take up the extra room in the magazine preventing you from accidentlly loading too many shells and inadvertently getting a citation from the conservation officer.

 

[BioProfessor]

If the primer is removed from the 12ga shell, the best way to separate them might be to get some lubricant between the two shells, support the base of the 12ga shell (U cut in a piece of 1" wood that lets the rim rest on the top of the wood), insert a small brass rod into the hole and push it down to rest on the base of the 10ga shell. Tap very lightly with a small hammer and move the rod to different places on the bottom of the 10ga shell. It should start to move pretty quick. If it doesn't, stop. Maybe let the lubricant soak a little more. Maybe dip the 10ga shell into hot water to make it expand a little. Then repeat the process. It should come apart pretty easy. If not, don't get frustrated and start hitting harder. That wont work.

Think about it and see if you are up to it.

Daryl

 

[trixster]

I would try spraying them several times over the course of a day or 2 with WD40 or PB blaster before I tried to get them apart should help loosen any corrossion that may be holding them together.

 

[Monty]

Reminds me of an improvised water proof match container we were taught to make in Boy Scouts, but I ain't saying how long ago. The idea was to shove a 16 guage inside a 12 guage with the matches inside. Not only water proof but it would float. Two brass cases would be hard to pull apart after time, but I can't figure why the primer was removed from the smaller one. Sometimes if I tumble brass cases to clean them, a small one will accidentally get stuck inside a larger one. They're a bear to get apart too. Monty

 

[CodyCat Borat]

A shell pushed into a shell. Isn't that the place where gold hunters hid their finds?

 

[silverswede]

I believe the old brass shotgun shells that pre-date paper and modern plastic ones were usually reloaded with black powder, primer , wad, and shot and could be re-used many times. Their era would have been between muzzle loading and cartridge firing shotguns with factory produced paper shells, Late 1800's to early 1900's. The match holder use is right on and many times to small boys empty shells became their "tin soldiers". Brass is always a great find.

 

[diggerfororo]

Hunters used to store matches in shells like that(practically waterproof). Or there may be treasure in them! All brass shotshells are a rare find,likely late 1800's to about 1920's. I've found only one in 40 years of detecting,a 20 gauge just last spring. A 10 gauge all brass shell is COOL!

I would have to say about the same thing. I have seen them used that way before.

Les

 

[texan connection]

WHATS IN IT

 

[OutBack Duo]

I got it open, there was a small amount of gun powerder in it and that was all.