What's this object?

[DRFC1879]

I found this on a beach on the Yorkshire coast not far from Withernsea a couple of weeks ago. My first though was that it's part of some sort of valve or piston but I haven't found anything that looks quite like it. It's fairly light in weight, feels and looks like it could be some sort of magnesium alloy but I may be well off the mark with that. I also speculated that it could be a bit of artillery or something. Playing card for scale. Any ideas?

[Yuxi]

I suggest you wash your hands

[ajprice]

[DRFC1879]

I very nearly posted a picture of the other side which has been corroded somewhat and has some VERY sharp metal splinters, one of which I got stuck in my finger. So it really wouldn't be a pleasant toy to stuff up your jacksie!

[anonymous-user]

Mandrel of some sort?

[BT Summers]

I agree your thinking on valve/piston as a result of the recess on the pointy bit for an O ring, perhaps a pump,

[Jenny Tailor]

DRFC1879 said:

I found this on a beach on the Yorkshire coast not far from Withernsea a couple of weeks ago. My first though was that it's part of some sort of valve or piston but I haven't found anything that looks quite like it. It's fairly light in weight, feels and looks like it could be some sort of magnesium alloy but I may be well off the mark with that. I also speculated that it could be a bit of artillery or something. Playing card for scale. Any ideas?

I think you might want to participate on the Secret Santa thread.

[Trophy Husband]

My thinking is that the central 'shaft' (teehee) may have had a shroud, maybe wood?
Beyond that I'm lost although it would make a great pestle or mortar whichever one does the grinding bit as I always forget!

[Super Sonic]

Looks like some sort of retaining plunger. Where'd ya find that then?

[gotoPzero]

[CouncilFerrari]

I wonder if it's an early AP round? I think there are some areas of the North Lincolnshire/East Yorkshire coast that were used as gun ranges during ww2.

[BT Summers]

If it is a magnesium alloy, or an aluminium alloy, would it have lasted long in salt water?

[DRFC1879]

Good point, BTS. Although I guess it could have been buried in the ground and recently uncovered due to coastal erosion of whihc there is plenty in that area.

[DRFC1879]

CouncilFerrari said:

I wonder if it's an early AP round? I think there are some areas of the North Lincolnshire/East Yorkshire coast that were used as gun ranges during ww2.

That's what made me think it could be some sort of ordnance.

EDIT: Having done some googling, this seems to make more sense. The shape of the cone with the scoring around it looks about right and It could be tungsten carbide.

Edited by DRFC1879 on Wednesday 27th October 09:35

[Evoluzione]

See if it floats.

[DRFC1879]

No it doesn't float.

A couple of images of the other side where it's corroded/degraded:





I'm now slightly concerned that if it is some sort of ordnance, a firm blow on the bottom end could cause the top bit to fire out. Very unlikely given water ingress etc. but I might just check out the protocol for disposal!

[anonymous-user]

Disposal? Chuck it in the sea.

[gotoPzero]

Is this the best PH can do. <shakes head>

Anyway....

I am going with a hammer head or some kind of metal working tool.

Or maybe a leather working tool or something.

I dunno, does look d*ldo-ish....

[FoxtrotOscar1]

Plum? Sash window weight?

[BT Summers]

Google WW2 incendiary bomb, similar?