Paging the gunisti

Checking-out the loft in my late-FiL house, we came across a suitcase full
of (120+) shotgun cartridges - since donated to his old shooting club - and
later a couple of things that look a bit like cartridges, but aren't.

See http://www.photobox.co.uk/album/304692429 for pics

They are quite heavy, almost solid brass, and the same size as a 12-bore
cartridge only 2/3 the length - as shown.

They seem to have an indent from/for a firing pin in the tail and an
allen-head screw at the bottom of the recessed front.

Guesses are this end include;
- something to test/calibrate the firing mechanism
- charges for a separate projectile, e.g. plastic round.
- charges for starting an engine.

Anyone care to guess or better still, anyone know?

 

Using the patented Mavis Beacon "Hunt&Peck" Technique, Dave Emerson

That one, I think. You should never "dry fire" a shotgun, it can damage
the hammers. This type of thing can be used to test the trigger action.

BICBW.

 

Well, sort of.
You can dry fire shotguns, though folklore suggests you could damage the
trigger springs eventually. Many swear by them, many more think it a
myth.
Yes, they look like what are generally called 'snap-caps'.
Used for firing off a cocked trigger. I've got some, but cannot recall
ever using them - they are only any good on double trigger guns
(mostly), as the recoil of the first barrel usually clicks the hammer
sear toward the 2nd barrel on a gun with a single trigger, so with no
recoil, the spring will always be tensioned until actually fired twice.

They are not worth anything, they are typically £5/pr new.

Alan.

 

Travel doofers, for putting in the shotgun when in transit.

 

So there's a spring under the allen-screw, to take the shock?

Wasn't looking to sell, just curious.

He had both a (brand?) side-by-side and a Baikal pump-action, shotguns.

 

Probably adjustable tension, yes.

Alan.