British army dump - Huge quantity of Lee-Enfield relics

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RRPG

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Hi All

Thought I would share with you the result of my latest relic recovery outing to a British army dump site here in the UK.

The area I had been searching, (which produced all those sling buckles, P14 adapters and Bakelite scabbards you may have seen in my last post), had been cleared and leveled by the guys who also dig the site, but they had opened up a new area a few yards away. I obviously took advantage of the pre-dug hole and commenced digging. At a depth of about 6 feet, the dump was STILL going, with no signs of stopping. There were at least 4 different layers, with the very bottom one being the only one to show no signs of a 'burn'. There was a lot of stuff coming out, but much of it beyond repair due to the fire, but persistence pays off, and I soon had a HUGE haul of finds.
Found just a big stack of Lee-Enfield No 1 nose caps, a Browning MG pistol grip, and two handles I originally thought were off a Vickers MG, but now I've identified as coming from a Lewis MG! Lots of other cool stuff as well, most of which is now in citric acid soak to stop it corroding any more.

I've posted a couple of pictures below, but You can see the dig itself and all of the finds in the below video



https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=i5XuewYpYBc









 
True, but the rusty stuff is currently soaking in a strong citric acid solution to remove the rust. I am cleaning them all tomorrow and will post here so you can see what they look like after going through 'the treatment'. They won't be good as new, but they will be a damn sight better than they are now. :) :)
 
Report back when you find a bucket or two of Ross Nose caps. I just do not get the whole digging rusty spoons thing out of the ground hobby, if you enjoy it and have fun doing so go for it. Finding a rusted solid rifle or MG as a wall hanger may be a neat find though.
 
Thanks all :)

Deuce-Deuce - I use a strong solution of citric acid now. Tried all the other stuff over the years and this is by far the best :)

XRCD011 - I know. Many people don't understand it. For me it is the history. Every item I recover has its history intact. I know where I found it so I can make a damned good guess who used it, from which unit, and roughly when. It's also the fact that the last person to touch the item was someone involved in the conflict. This is the main draw for me. Plus, I don't have to pay for them and most clean up quite nicely :) :)
 
^ Hi RRPG (and absolutely no offense intended), I respect your hobby and think its cool you are doing what you like doing. I can see the history bit but when I look at a table or bucklet of rusty metal it does not do anything for me, maybe if I did it I would get it.
 
^ Then you would love Normandy where there must be a roadside museum every 100M full of display cases full of rusty spoons. After looking at this stuff a couple days your eyes will glaze over and the thrill of seeing a rusty spoon dug up out of the Norman countryside wears thin. That said there was one cool museum that sort of looks like a semi loaded with ground found battlefield debris was reversing at full speed with the back doors open then the brakes pounded and the contents went sailing. A real jumble of this stuff, even a ground dug Kett which got my attention.
 
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Id love to find some of this stuff. Id use it to desporter a second SMLE just to once again after so many years let them do the job they were intended to do. I absolutely love this rusty relic stuff. Ive been considering building a mosin with as many ground dug parts as possible from ebay.
 
A fellow in southern Ontario is rebuilding an M5 Stuart light tank. The final drive sat underwater for decades before being excavated. He immersed it in a tub of 50% raw industrial molasses and water for three months. What went in encrusted and unrecognizable, emerged and pressure washed cane clean and ready for a close bench inspection.
 
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Well, my wife calls the stuff I find 'rusty crap', but is always suitably impressed after I've cleaned and de-rusted items.

Butcherbill - I found twice that number, but the lot I didn't bring home had already rusted through in places, leaving just bits.
 
I think it is very cool, bringing back a bit of history that was destined to dissolve and disappear.
There is a requirement for all that is saved, as relic display or for restoring a current piece.
 
Thanks for sharing RRPG. Just love this type of stuff. It is like a time capsule that gives one a whole new perspective of the past. When I looked at the pictures I was shocked to see all those sling shots but then I donned on me that those are what the British used as backup weapons. Fascinating!
 
Thanks guys :) I will post up the results of the citric acid cleaning later this evening :) For me, these are all important historical relics and have to be saved!
 
It's amazing what a good soak will do in your cleaner of choice when something is rusted, I've resurrected a couple rusty motorcycle tanks with a good vinegar soak. Everyone thought they were toast, I knew I could save them. No liner needed after for all but one which had a bunch of pinholes.
 
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