WW1 German howitzer

[rufrdr]

I work for the municipal government of a local city. In March I received a call from a pair of my subordinates reporting the discovery of an artillery piece hidden away in one of the city parks. I hustled over to see what they found and discovered the remains of a German 105mm light howitzer from WW1. I had the gun moved to indoor storage to stop if from deteriorating further and did some research. The gun was one of an enormous amount of arms that were brought from Germany to the U.S. postwar as war reparations. I viewed another of these war trophies on Catalina island some years ago; an MG08 in front of the Veteran's of Foreign Wars post. The receiver was a shell, the guts were long gone as was the top cover but the gun remained on its mount with about 20 coats of paint over it.

This particular gun was found in a scrap yard during WW2 and was restored to pristine condition and displayed in a park in the city. Over the years it deteriorated until in the late 70s it was removed as a safety hazard, dropped in the weeds and forgotten.

Apparently this is one of two such guns currently known to exist in the U.S. The other is in much better shape! At this point the city has no interest in repairing it and displaying it. I have informed the department head who 'owns' the gun that it is on loan from the U.S. government and must be returned if we have no more interest in it. Stay tuned for further developments!

[ovenpaa]

Very nice and it will be made of some top quality (for the time) steel. Wed were in Denmark a couple of years ago and spotted a gun from a first world war submarine, it had been salvaged after many years on the sea floor and was in surprisingly good condition, I will try and dig a picture out. Meanwhile I look forward to reading more about this, I assume dropping it in your front garden is not an option? tongueout

[meles meles]

Maybe we could make it a forum gun: quietly snaffle it away one night when no oomans are looking, restore it, get dromia and dodgyrog to to make up some canister shot and stand by ready for the zombie invasion...

[ovenpaa]

Here is the one we 'found' 88 years on the sea bed, they certainly new how to make steel in those days.

[etprescottuk]

Hidden away in the weeds, I'm sure the local kids knew of it's location and probably thoroughly enjoyed playing on it. Nice find it will look good sitting someplace prominent someday.

When I very young my father marketed business aircraft. The airport where he worked had a hanger with a WWII 2 seater SBD naval plane in it being restored. On the weekends I was brought to work with him and I would bring a friend. We were allowed to play on this aircraft, broom stick out the back wind canopy made an excellent machine gun and I can't tell you how many times we imagined being shot down jumping onto the wing and then bailing out landing on the hanger floor. I had no idea then how special it was to sit in side such a historic aircraft. Today something to be viewed in a museum or an airshow from a great distance never to be touched.

[Blu]

Rufrdr, it's a shame to see this go to waste, if the council isn't interested how about one of the school metal shop classes for restoration. That's assuming they would allow it into the school in the first place. I think it would make a great project for a class somewhere. Just tell Uncle Sam it's in the shop for repair.

Blu

[20series]

Only in the USA could u find an artillery piece hidden in the weeds!!!! Over here it'll be more likely an old shopping trolley :lol:

Do keep us in the loop as to any further news this stuff fascinates me :goodjob:

Alan

[rufrdr]

It will be a long slog on this; no one in authority wants to be connected with a 'war weapon'!

[Blu]

It will be a long slog on this; no one in authority wants to be connected with a 'war weapon'!

That's California for you, though I'm sure you don't need me to tell you that.

Blu

[Burner]

Well just take the dammed thing!