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Post by Karl Welteke on Mar 21, 2008 13:47:55 GMT 8
On my visit to the Rock, 14th-16th March 2008, I came across another surprise.....I seen a tank gun barrel or so the RP Coast Guard Personnel said, that's what it was. It was laying in front of their station. They said it was from a tank on Caballo Island. I assumed that would the one I know of, the US tank which seemed to have run on a mine at the SE shore of Caballo Island. They answered several times in the affirmative, that it was that tank where it came from. 2015 APRIL MODIFICATION NOTE TO THIS 2008 ENTRY: There is no need to click on these links because the pictures are posted directly now further down this page!!!! Here are 3 images of that gun barrel: tinyurl.com/arjdjwor s74.photobucket.com/albums/i265/PI-Sailor/Images%20to%20be%20linked/Link%20subalbum%20No%201/Tank%20Gun%20at%20Coast%20Guard/
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Post by batteryboy on Mar 21, 2008 16:05:26 GMT 8
Hi Karl, I really doubt if this came from the beached M4 Sherman at Caballo. The barrel of that tank has been cut and its so badly corroded that I doubt if they were able to take it off. Below are the pics: X309. Batteryboy on tank duty. This is a M4 Sherman Tank on the south Caballo Island beach (ex Fort Hughes). X310. The M4 Sherman Tank on the south Caballo Island beach (ex Fort Hughes). Battery boy said this about the tank: The tank did reach ashore but was quickly knocked out. This happened on the first invasion of Caballo that was repulsed by the Japanese (A few instance of Japanese success in defending an island). X311. The corroded and rusted breech of the 75mm gun. Now the alleged "barrel" that you posted is in a much better shape. I even doubt if its a barrel of a gun. It may even be a recoil mechanism of another gun, and according to Art Napolitano, it does not even look like its US made. Remember that we discoverd a Japanese Mk X dual purpose 120mm gun at the side of the Caballo cliff that the Navy guys did not even knew existed until we found it two years ago. It may have come from there but am really not to sure. The Navy has stockpiled a lot of ordnance in the island that we havent seen. However, it's still an interesting find. Regards, Tony
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Post by Karl Welteke on Mar 21, 2008 20:23:05 GMT 8
Tony You convinced me! ;D I will inquire further on my next visit on 2nd April 2008
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Post by Karl Welteke on Aug 29, 2008 8:19:55 GMT 8
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Post by EXO on Aug 29, 2008 21:29:47 GMT 8
I'm not a redleg's big toe, but I have been inside a number of turrets, both tanks (including a Sherman) and otherwise, and I seen many an artillery piece. It seems to me that for this to be a tank barrel of any sort, there needs to be a breech - and they just didn't come in any two piece "fit Part A into Part B" designs which would allow a separation as pictured.
I suspect that the replies which you have been given were another example of the "polite affirmative" - a tendency that certain persons have involving the use of words which sound remarkably like the word you understand to be "Yes" but in fact mean "I don't have a cow, man,you've obviously confused me with someone who can give an authoritative answer" (or words to that effect).
I think it is a poor man's gate guard. (the Coast Guard's practical joke on tourists? a way to meet girls?) Let us give thanks that whatever it is, it's not on the way to the scrappers.
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Post by The Phantom on Aug 30, 2008 1:52:48 GMT 8
Now Paul, it must be real, as put forth by Coast Guard personnel. After all it's now painted "GREEN", the official color of all guns on the Rock.........
Thats the color Marcos' grandson, and all his International School mates paint them on their yearly trips to restore Corregidor to it's former glory. You remember running into them on one trip, right? Special foods, separate tables for the lot. Body guards asking questions as to your presence on Corregidor at the time?
I digress, The corrosion on the metal does not appear to be as you would expect of something under the sea off Corregidor since the end of the war. See tank in photos, just in salt spray and waves....... I weigh in on recently created cannon for pictures in front of Coast Guard Headquarters, opening the opportunity for...... "Hey, you want buy this button I found........right here on Corregidor"?
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Post by mapmaster on Feb 4, 2009 16:56:42 GMT 8
Hi
Since seeing the early photos in this thread, I've been intrigued as to what this relic actually was originally. I stopped and photographed it during our January '09 visit and had a closer look. Well, after a lengthy search of written and photographic references, I'm still not sure what it was.
However, what I can say is that it has a rifled bore of about 3", may have had a breech block and breech, which have been removed. There are still intact, the remains of the slide/wear plates that would be part of a recoil mechanism. A circular plate has been welded where the breech (possibly) has been removed. The plate has holes drilled in it, probably to make the item into a bolt down bollard or gate guardian.
So, are there any contenders for what this relic might be? Well, may I offer the following photograph as a possible answer? This photo, taken two years ago, is of a Excalibur sub-caliber gun from Battery Smith or Hearn.
This gun has now migrated to the topside parade ground. It is almost complete, but by ignoring the recoil mechanism and breach, it is possible to see a similarity with the Coast Guard relic. Similarities include the web of metal forming the recoil engaging slide; block on top of the relic (where, on the gun, the top recoil cylinder is fitted); and collar towards the outer end of the relic (corresponding with that on the gun barrel).
I have read one reference regarding the Excalibur guns, which suggests they were constructed from the Ordnance Department, manufactured 75mm Fieldgun M 16.
The relic is quite rusty and it might not be possible to further identify.
mapmaster
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Post by fots2 on Nov 5, 2009 18:29:38 GMT 8
I would say that you definitely win the prize for solving this mystery mapmaster.
Can I ask a dumb question? What is a sub caliber gun and why stick it in the barrel of a 14-inch gun?
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Post by mapmaster on Nov 5, 2009 19:38:46 GMT 8
Hi fots2
The sub-calibre gun was used to allow full drill practice and firing of the full calibre gun without causing wear to the latter's barrel. The subject sub-calibre would have fired a steel or cast iron round and would have allowed all drill except load of a 14 inch drill round and dummy propelling charges. The 14 inch disappearing gun would also have had to have been lowered by hand for loading the sub-calibre.
Regards
mapmaster
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Post by fots2 on Nov 5, 2009 21:13:47 GMT 8
I never heard of that before. Thank-you for the explanation.
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