Hi. I've been hunting the beaches in Delaware and constantly hitting small brass pieces that I believe are spacers from machine gun bullets. They vary in target ID numbers, but sound like something good. I have a new Deus II, and it finds them just like my old detector did. I'd like to tune them out somehow. Or should I just dig every target? I have a pile of them! Has anyone else been getting these small pieces of brass?
How to avoid digging brass machine gun bullet spacers!
- Thread starter calfam04
- Start date
davemill
Junior Member
A photo would be awesome. Brass is the kind of metal that if you tune it out, you are also tuning out things you want. Especially when they vary in Target ID.
hoser
Forum Supporter
I have fired a lot of belt fed machine guns and the cartridge connector clips have all been a spring steel. I'm not saying that some MG belts had brass clips, I just haven't seen any.
stetam
Elite Member
I found a lot of the same small pieces in my once and only beach detecting adventure.
Steve
Steve
LongJohnSilver1
Elite Member
- Joined
- Apr 25, 2020
- Messages
- 982
You can't without missing gold. I say it's a good thing, because it's telling you no one else has been there before you. If I was in your shoes, I would sweep that beach clean
too_pointer
Elite Member
When I was in service, shot alot of the 50's , don't remember those clips ? Had another soldier feeding the ammo to the shooter.
too_
too_
Rudy
Admin
I am quite familiar with the belt fed 50 cal, the 7.62mm M60, the air cooled 30 cal and the liquid cooled 30 cal. The disintegrating belt links on all of them were spring steel links.
scoundrel
six feet under(water)
That’s what it looks like to me. And it looks old. Square holes from square nails.
Here is what linked ammo links look like. They vary a bit from gun to gun and between calibers but basically this is it. Why do you think you have linked ammo links? Was there a lot of military activity there in the past? Are you finding them in piles?
My son is in the Army, and he said the same thing about the links, but these may be much older than what you are familiar with. Yes, there were two artillery ranges and an old fort nearby. Sand from those has been moved to local beaches to address erosion. Looking at the broken bits, I think they do match the clip shown in shape. I really appreciate all of the replies!Here is what linked ammo links look like. They vary a bit from gun to gun and between calibers but basically this is it. Why do you think you have linked ammo links? Was there a lot of military activity there in the past? Are you finding them in piles?
stetam
Elite Member
They are NOT ammo link pieces.
Steve
Steve
Maybe from a Gatling gun? Here is some info I found about them.
www.britannica.com
Richard Jordan Gatling | Civil War, Machine Gun, Inventor
Richard Jordan Gatling was an American inventor best known for his invention of the Gatling gun, a crank-operated, multibarrel machine gun, which he patented in 1862. Gatling’s career as an inventor began when he assisted his father in the construction and perfecting of machines for sowing cotton
www.britannica.com
Gatling guns used stick magazines, not belts...Maybe from a Gatling gun? Here is some info I found about them.
Richard Jordan Gatling | Civil War, Machine Gun, Inventor
Richard Jordan Gatling was an American inventor best known for his invention of the Gatling gun, a crank-operated, multibarrel machine gun, which he patented in 1862. Gatling’s career as an inventor began when he assisted his father in the construction and perfecting of machines for sowing cotton
Older than I'm familiar with?? Thanks but I'm probably older than you think... Machine gun ammo went from cloth belts 9 yards in length (hence the "give 'em the whole 9 yards" comment) to disintegrating metal links to now they're looking into plastic one-time use links. As I said they vary from gun to gun and caliber to caliber in size and shape slightly but basically they look like what I posted.
BTW, tell your Son thanks for serving, USAF Vietnam Era Vet here...
Rudy
Admin
I believe those old Gatling guns were hopper, or magazine fed, but as time progressed, other feeding mechanisms were developed.Maybe from a Gatling gun? Here is some info I found about them.
Richard Jordan Gatling | Civil War, Machine Gun, Inventor
Richard Jordan Gatling was an American inventor best known for his invention of the Gatling gun, a crank-operated, multibarrel machine gun, which he patented in 1862. Gatling’s career as an inventor began when he assisted his father in the construction and perfecting of machines for sowing cotton
Gatling Gun Feeding Mechanisms
The Gatling gun is unusual for having been used with a surprisingly large number of feed systems - box mags, strips, drums, clips, and more.
www.forgottenweapons.com
joe4077
Elite Member
Any brass that I detect, I throw in a coffee container. Then I sell it to a scrap metal dealer. Helps to offset the cost of gas. I save copper, aluminum and lead too. It all adds up. I suggest you do not pass up those brass spacers.
