Magnet Fishing

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Community for general chit chat about magnet fishing, as well as a place to post your cool finds!

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My most exciting magnet fishing find yet, a 1911 handgun! (feddit.uk)

submitted 11 months ago by [email protected] to c/[email protected]

14 comments fedilink hide all child comments

Well most of one anyway. I didn't think it was a real one to begin with and just threw it in my trolley, but cleaning up in some rust remover and some vigorous brushing revealed "United States Property" and a serial number engraved on one side, and the letters G.H.D on the other which confirmed that it is the body of a real gun!

Definitely wasn't expecting to find this in the canal in Gloucester. I think it's from WW2 judging by the state of it and the markings, but I'm definitely not an expert.

Here's a picture of the other side, the G.H.D engraving isn't really visible on camera though:

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[–] FireTower 11 points 11 months ago* (last edited 11 months ago) (2 children)

Ah the age old of tradition of throwing military equipment into bodies of water when you're done with it.

Jokes aside I mod the Forgotten Weapons community and I cross posted this over there. I'm sure at least one of our subscribers is probably well versed enough to give some more insight without even looking it up.

[–] [email protected] 3 points 11 months ago* (last edited 11 months ago)

Include the link to [email protected] - it's a cool community and you deserve the plug!

[–] [email protected] 2 points 11 months ago

Thanks! It would be interesting to know more about it

[–] [email protected] 4 points 11 months ago (2 children)

That is a very cool find. If you can make out the serial number you should be able to tell who made it and in which year.

https://www.coolgunsite.com/pistols/colt%20production.htm

https://sightm1911.com/1911Production.htm

[–] [email protected] 4 points 11 months ago

I think it was made by Colt in 1942. I wasn't sure of the first digit in the serial number but it looks like either an 8 or a 3 and the G.H.D inspection marker means it must be an 8. Pretty cool, thanks for the links!

[–] [email protected] 4 points 11 months ago (5 children)

That would be cool to find out. The first few digits are difficult to make out, but I'll probably have another go with a wire brush and see if I can make them legible.

[–] FireTower 3 points 11 months ago

Use a copper brass or bronze brush if possible. It'll do less damage to the underlying frame.

[–] [email protected] 3 points 11 months ago (1 children)

Woah! Sweet find!

Around here you're supposed to call the police if you reel in any kind of firearm. Though I suppose they might spare the bomb squad if it's just a frame... and accidents happen, maybe you forget to call it in...

[–] [email protected] 5 points 11 months ago (1 children)

I honestly thought they might say I'm wasting their time with a frame so rusted that you'd be better off machining a new one than trying to restore it. I think its time in the canal has rendered it thoroughly deactivated

[–] Bears_Koolaid 9 points 11 months ago* (last edited 11 months ago) (1 children)

I think it's more to do with it being possible evidence in an unsolved crime, at least that's a pretty common theme here in the states

[–] agent_flounder 4 points 11 months ago* (last edited 11 months ago) (3 children)

Sure but there's no barrel so it isn't going to be of any forensic value, I don't think. If it were stolen j guess the SN would be of use.

[–] Bears_Koolaid 4 points 11 months ago

Oh I definitely agree, In some circumstances it's pointless

[–] HappycamperNZ 4 points 11 months ago

Removing the barrel and discarding somewhere else is a great way to hide evidence too.

[–] [email protected] 3 points 11 months ago* (last edited 11 months ago)

evidence as in "location where the gun was found didn't match the suspect's story / matches somewhere they were known to have visited" or even just helping to complete a story that started with the serial number going missing.