Scottish town saves rare German Minenwerfer from the scrapheap (5 PHOTOS)
No one knew where the gun came from or just what it was although it had been in town since at least the 1950s. (Photo: BBC)
Willie MacDonald remembered seeing the squat old artillery piece around town as a young boy in the 1950s but never thought decades later he would help save it.
In 1990, MacDonald became the harbormaster in Campbeltown and bumped back into the large caliber piece of hardware from his childhood on a rickety display near the docks. Rusting away, he took it upon himself to paint it black in an effort to help fight the inevitable decay from salt air reads a report on the gun in the April 29th Campbeltown Courier.
Eventually the relic was removed to the local Heritage Center where it was left to rust on the grass, forgotten and unnoticed, as reported by the BBC, townsfolk believed it was a naval gun from Turkey or a harpoon gun of some sort, and were on the verge of getting rid of it.
“Initially thought to be a harpoon gun without harpoon in the garden of a heritage centre in Campbeltown, Kintyre. However it may be some sort of naval artillery gun. The heritage centre was closed at the time so we couldn’t ask, ” (Photo: Alan Stewart/Flickr (2008)
Then in the past few months, MacDonald and other local citizens and museum researchers began examining the artillery piece. A local fabrication shop sandblasted away decades of rust and incorrect paint, discovering serial numbers and foundry information that led them to identify the weapon as a 17 cm mittlerer Minenwerfer (mine thrower).
Used in World War I by the Germans to kick a 50-pound shell across No Man’s Land, about 2,300 of the squat mortars were produced, mainly by Rheinmetall in Düsseldorf while Campbeltown’s piece, Nr 5184, was made in Saxony by the Sächsische Maschinen Fabrik.
Further, it turns out to be one of but a handful left in the world, with just one other in the UK– at the Imperial War Museum in London.
Campbeltown’s restored minenwerfer. It werfs minen (Photo: WellknownSID/Wikipedia)
Repainted a more correct grey color, the partially restored and stabilized Minenwerfer was unveiled to the public on May 1 and is on display at the Campbeltown Heritage Center.
Good to see Campbeltown ‘s minenwerfer back on display. Interpretation by yours truly. pic.twitter.com/FaQjCKUBKN
— Mike Taylor (@MikeMuseums) May 1, 2016
The post Scottish town saves rare German Minenwerfer from the scrapheap (5 PHOTOS) appeared first on Guns.com.
Source: http://www.guns.com/2016/05/11/scotish-town-saves-rare-german-minenwerfer-from-the-scrapheap-5-photos/
Anyone can join.
Anyone can contribute.
Anyone can become informed about their world.
"United We Stand" Click Here To Create Your Personal Citizen Journalist Account Today, Be Sure To Invite Your Friends.
Before It’s News® is a community of individuals who report on what’s going on around them, from all around the world. Anyone can join. Anyone can contribute. Anyone can become informed about their world. "United We Stand" Click Here To Create Your Personal Citizen Journalist Account Today, Be Sure To Invite Your Friends.
LION'S MANE PRODUCT
Try Our Lion’s Mane WHOLE MIND Nootropic Blend 60 Capsules
Mushrooms are having a moment. One fabulous fungus in particular, lion’s mane, may help improve memory, depression and anxiety symptoms. They are also an excellent source of nutrients that show promise as a therapy for dementia, and other neurodegenerative diseases. If you’re living with anxiety or depression, you may be curious about all the therapy options out there — including the natural ones.Our Lion’s Mane WHOLE MIND Nootropic Blend has been formulated to utilize the potency of Lion’s mane but also include the benefits of four other Highly Beneficial Mushrooms. Synergistically, they work together to Build your health through improving cognitive function and immunity regardless of your age. Our Nootropic not only improves your Cognitive Function and Activates your Immune System, but it benefits growth of Essential Gut Flora, further enhancing your Vitality.
Our Formula includes: Lion’s Mane Mushrooms which Increase Brain Power through nerve growth, lessen anxiety, reduce depression, and improve concentration. Its an excellent adaptogen, promotes sleep and improves immunity. Shiitake Mushrooms which Fight cancer cells and infectious disease, boost the immune system, promotes brain function, and serves as a source of B vitamins. Maitake Mushrooms which regulate blood sugar levels of diabetics, reduce hypertension and boosts the immune system. Reishi Mushrooms which Fight inflammation, liver disease, fatigue, tumor growth and cancer. They Improve skin disorders and soothes digestive problems, stomach ulcers and leaky gut syndrome. Chaga Mushrooms which have anti-aging effects, boost immune function, improve stamina and athletic performance, even act as a natural aphrodisiac, fighting diabetes and improving liver function. Try Our Lion’s Mane WHOLE MIND Nootropic Blend 60 Capsules Today. Be 100% Satisfied or Receive a Full Money Back Guarantee. Order Yours Today by Following This Link.
