World War II Anti Aircraft 40 mm Bofors shell

[abyss_explorer]

I found a World War II Anit Aircraft Shell while Diving. It was grown over by corline algae, but I cleaned it up and it is in fairly good shape. It is a 40MMx311R (Bofors L/60). So roughly 2 1/2" in Diameter and 14 inches long. Does anyone know what the value of this World War II Relic would be or where I can go to find out?

abyss_explorer

 

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[jraven]

Sounds cool, nice find. I don't know much about WW II relics so not sure of price.. Look around this site a bit, you may be able to find a forum where someone could help.... Someone will probably respond to this post and help you! Hopefully!

 

[rmptr]

It could still be dangerous!
Be very cautious with it, especially when cleaning.
There's a number of horror stories here on Tnet.

Best,
rmptr

 

[abyss_explorer]

Thanks for the warning. I have been leary of it the entire time. I read some of the horror stories about ordinances blowing up while cleaning. I took some extra precautions and after the acid ate off the coriline algae from the ocean the primer looked in great shape for being in the water for 66 years. It seems to be pretty stable, does anyone know a good way to make sure the shell is incapable of blowing up. I am considering to take out the slug and just dump out the powder. Of course that sounds much easier and safer than it is. I will try to post a picture soon.

abyss

 

[crazyjarhead]

Where did you find it? I didn't see next to your name where you were.... not to be nosey

 

[watercolor]

Thanks for the warning. I have been leary of it the entire time. I read some of the horror stories about ordinances blowing up while cleaning. I took some extra precautions and after the acid ate off the coriline algae from the ocean the primer looked in great shape for being in the water for 66 years. It seems to be pretty stable, does anyone know a good way to make sure the shell is incapable of blowing up. I am considering to take out the slug and just dump out the powder. Of course that sounds much easier and safer than it is. I will try to post a picture soon.

abyss

I'm not an ordnance expert but I think the "slug" would ALSO have high explosive inside.

Please, PLEASE be careful.

 

[RevJoel]

The 40mm bofors round carried a point detonating fuze at that time period and held approximately .125 pounds of High Explosive. DO NOT try to remove the nose fuze on the projectile. This could lead to a bright flash, a really loud noise, and then a walk in the heavenly realms.

Pax Christi
Rev. Joel+

 

[rmptr]

Well I guess that would kinda rule out using a kinetic bullet puller!

If it's got HE in the projectile, and an aging impact fuse, there's probably no way to make it safe.

Unless an ordnance pro comes along and says different, I'd take nice pics for the collection and turn it in.

HH
rmptr

 

[Happy Harry]

Very unstable find! and I dare say very unstable the person who is not an expert trying to defuse it. We just had an ordinance expert at our MD club meeting month before last. His full time job is defusing ordinance or detonating it. His advice was to turn in ANY unexploded rounds,shells etc. to the local police for proper disposal. Our club has banned bringing old ordinance to the club meeting as a result of the information we heard from this person. BE D--- CAREFUL! HHHH

 

[stefen]

Thanks for the warning. I have been leary of it the entire time. I read some of the horror stories about ordinances blowing up while cleaning. I took some extra precautions and after the acid ate off the coriline algae from the ocean the primer looked in great shape for being in the water for 66 years. It seems to be pretty stable, does anyone know a good way to make sure the shell is incapable of blowing up. I am considering to take out the slug and just dump out the powder. Of course that sounds much easier and safer than it is. I will try to post a picture soon.

abyss

Send me your name, age, address and all of your other vital stats so I can take out an insurance policy...

 

[cammobunker]

Ummm....yeah....that's maybe not such a great thing to be fooling with. A 40mm shell going off could really ruin your plans for the weekend.

 

[Newt]

30-06 at 100 yards to defuse- at least you'll see if it's live.
Newt

 

[Rmeav8r]

One thought.....the 40MM Bofors L/60 round may not be as old as you might think. It has been used continuously since the 1930's till today. This is the same round used in the AC-130H Gunship. Again, just a thought....still be very careful.

 

[BuckleBoy]

Very unstable find!  and I dare say very unstable the person who is not an expert trying to defuse it.  We just had an ordinance expert at our MD club meeting month before last.  His full time job is defusing ordinance or detonating it.  His advice was to turn in ANY unexploded rounds,shells etc. to the local police for proper disposal.  Our club has banned bringing old ordinance to the club meeting as a result of the information we heard from this person.  BE D--- CAREFUL!  HHHH

I hope to GOD that your club isn't "turning in" any CW shells.  That ordinance "expert"  works for whom?  The bomb squad?  CW shells are quite stable for the most part--and you can pay a professional CW collector to unload them so that you can have them in your collection.  Many are worth hundreds and hundreds of dollars after they are defused.

If you turn shells in, they will be detonated and you will not receive any compensation.   

So don't turn in a CW shell--I would assume ANY relic hunter knows this...but whoever spoke at your club evidently raised your terror-meter to "red-alert" unnecessarily.

Now in terms of this shell--I don't know of anyone who specializes in WWII era shells...and this one is riskier than a CW shell is (except for CW shells with "concussion fuses" (which are comparatively few).  And it may not even be all that old--or collectible. Personally, I'd turn this one in.

Regards,


Buckleboy

 

[Green1]

hit it with a small hammer and see what happens....

i found just the shell a few months back, on an old military base.. i was thinking 1930-40....