Weapon, starter or decorative object: a mysterious device from Germany
It is known that the object was brought several decades ago from Germany, after which for a long time it was idle and did not attract attention. Only a few years ago, the owners of the mysterious object became interested in its origin, but could not find the necessary information. All available information was described by a short phrase: “the item was found in a pile of scrap metal,” and the person who found it died and therefore cannot help in the search for information. The current owners of the object attempted to establish its origin with the help of German specialists. However, sending letters to several major museums in Germany also did not give any results.
Greater help in determining the origin of the device could have inscriptions stamped on it. One of the parts has the following stamps: Bosch, Germany Imported D'Allemagne and WD Rotodyn. It is worth noting that such an inscription only confuses traces. The fact is that under the brand name Rotodyn, Bosch had previously produced generators for bicycles. On the one hand, this fact complicates the search, but on the other hand, there is a reason to consider the unit, on which the inscription is stamped, as a compact electric generator. This assumption, in turn, allows further searches.
The total length of the mysterious object is approximately equal to 60 cm, and it weighs about 10 kilograms. A quick inspection suggests that the object has something to do with the rifle arms and probably represents some kind of original system of this class. However, it combines several features that can hardly be found in other weapons systems. The basis of the object can be considered a relatively large cone-shaped part, which can be considered the trunk. The rifled barrel is connected with a kind of breech with a bolt. The latter, when unlocked, is retracted to the left. For locking using the original lock, consisting of a clamp, spring and screw. On the shutter unit is also located a device that can be considered a trigger mechanism.
As can be seen in the existing photographs of the mysterious object, firing (if it was envisaged at all) is possible only with single shots. After each shot, you need to remove the liner and charge the new cartridge, and then cock the firing mechanism. An interesting and unusual feature of the object is ammunition. In the existing copy, apparently, it was supposed to use the cartridge 7,62х51 mm NATO. However, this munition was created only in the late forties, and an unusual weapon looks as if it was created in the first decades of the last century. However, this discrepancy can be explained by the fact that “complete” with a mysterious object was a sleeve that allows you to charge the cartridge 7,62x51 mm into the existing barrel. It is possible that this item was made much later than the weapon itself. Probably, someone conducted experiments and tried to adapt the old development for a relatively new cartridge. Unfortunately, there is no information about these attempts either.
The cartridge itself also raises questions. Together with the object was discovered the original ammunition, assembled from metal and plastic parts. Only the bottom and the end of the sleeve are made of metal. Its main part is made of plastic. In addition, there is a kind of bullet in the cartridge case, also made of plastic. The reasons for this performance of the cartridge are not completely clear, but the use of plastic may hint at the purpose of the entire system. It is possible that the object was not intended for firing live ammunition.
The barrel of the proposed rifle system is equipped with some kind of unit that can be considered a muzzle brake. It is a cylinder with a large number of oblong slots. An interesting feature of the muzzle brake is its mount. A characteristic ball bearing separator is visible between the sleeve on the barrel and the brake cylinder. Probably, the muzzle brake (if the purpose of this part is determined correctly) should have rotated.
Finally, on the breech of the object are some interesting details that complement its overall appearance. So, in the lower part there is a mount for mounting on a dovetail bar. On the sides of the breech are screws, probably designed to control the various parameters of the instrument. In addition, the breech of the object is equipped with a flap, consisting of three parts. The shield is probably one of the most prominent parts of the device. The fact is that on the side segments of the shield are oak leaves, and on the central - an anchor and a locomotive.
Directly in front of the shield is a cylindrical unit with embossed inscriptions Bosch, Germany Imported Dallemagne and WD Rotodyn. It should be noted that the assumption of the use of an electric generator is not confirmed by the presence of any wiring. The wires may have been lost, which is why by now only metal parts of sufficient rigidity and strength are present in the construction of the object. The top side of the generator is decorated with a relief lion face.
It is also worth noting that the engraving is available on the shutter. Such a “decoration” of the device raises big questions. The fact is that such decoration of armaments or any other systems is peculiar to the past centuries, but not to the first decades of the 20th century, i.e. the estimated creation time of the mysterious object. Two conclusions can be drawn from this: either an unusual weapon was created earlier than intended, or it was intended for certain purposes for which an appropriate appearance is required. Confirmation of the second version can serve as a locomotive, depicted on the dashboard. Its appearance allows us to roughly assume the time at which the decorative elements were made.
To determine the purpose of an unusual device, one should pay attention to several characteristic features. So, the sleeve for the NATO NATO 7,62x51 mm looks like it was made much later than the object itself. From this it follows that it was originally intended to use another ammunition. The second interesting feature of the object is a relatively weak stem locking system. It turns out that initially it was planned to use only blank ammunition, and this allows us to make assumptions about the purpose of the device. Finally, decorative elements that do not carry any practical sense are the last characteristic feature of a mysterious object.
From these features follow several versions of the purpose and method of application. The blank cartridge allows you to abandon the version of the use of the system as a small arms. At the same time, it could be used as a throwing, signaling or any auxiliary equipment. For example, images of an anchor and a steam locomotive suggest that the device is related to ship or railway steam engines. In this case, the object could be used as a starter, and the blank cartridge created the necessary pressure in the system. However, this version is not confirmed as a weak locking system of the barrel, and the similarity of the muzzle brake.
A large number of decorative elements can be considered evidence that the object was used as a signal tool on a ship or even a high-ranking yacht. Such an assumption allows us to put together the facts concerning the use of blank ammunition, as well as the presence of decorative "excesses". In addition, the signal use of such a system is indirectly confirmed by a strange unit, resembling a muzzle brake. It is impossible to speak with confidence about this without having the results of relevant tests, but a slotted cylinder mounted on a bearing can increase the loudness of the shot, which is necessary for the effective operation of the signal tool.
Probably, all the versions proposed above may not correspond to reality, since they do not explain the presence of the electric generator of the WD Rotodyn system. Moreover, all existing versions of the origin and purpose of the device have a common drawback: they do not allow to put together all the main features and explain their purpose. Because of this, for example, there are grounds to say that during the use the mysterious object was reworked and the sleeve, providing the use of a relatively new cartridge, is not the only innovation in the design. Finally, it cannot be excluded that the device was assembled from parts of different units for decorative purposes, and its practical use was not planned at all.
As we see, the available amount of information allows only to make assumptions about the purpose of both individual components and the object as a whole. Therefore, we invite readers to join the discussion of the artifact and try to establish the truth. Perhaps it is a broad discussion that will allow to answer the question: what was found in Germany many years ago?
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