Jump to content
Free downloads from TNA ×
The Great War (1914-1918) Forum

Remembered Today:

Mouldering by an English roadside


centurion

Recommended Posts

Thats a bit sad, how long before the safety elf condems it a child maiming monster?

It's pointed at an agricultural college that specialises in organic farming (and has given the world a potato that is resistant to the Irish potato blight - the plain people of Ireland* are saying "sure and isn't that a bit late") so I'm surprised that some green fanatic hasn't already condemned it.

I was hoping some artillery buff would identify it and confirm my suspicions

* If any of you've never read Myles na gCopaleen you have my deepest sympathy (and that goes for the Brother as well) 

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Looks like a 7.7cm Feldkanone 96 n.A. - it seems to be a fairly late one one with sheet steel on the wheel sides of the axle tree seats.

I'd guess it as a gun with a serial no. >5000 built after the start of WW1.

Looks like a fixer-upper though, the bottom of the trail might be rusted out. On the open market in good condition the FK 96 n.As are

worth something like $15,000.

Regards,

Charlie

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Our local one looked far worse that that one at the start and they got it all shiny and new in under a year. The effort was spearheaded by local historians in partnership with the local VFW branches, who got the fundraising done.

Maybe your local groups can try the same approach?

-Daniel

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Surprised that it hasn't been nicked by a collector or someone wanting it for its scrap-metal value. The metalwork of a disused village well disappeared from near me a few years back, despite it being very close to houses.

Moonraker

Link to comment
Share on other sites

I wonder who has taken the trouble to appear have painted the wheels even though the near one seems to be at the point of collapse.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

It's pointed at an agricultural college that specialises in organic farming

Such an establishment might well have (or be prepared to commission) a traditional wheelwright to make new wheels, which would start the ball rolling, so to speak. Any idea who the gun belongs to?

Link to comment
Share on other sites

I suspect this was a weapon allocated by the War Trophies Committee. A check of the local newspapers and the local council minutes book may well bring to light something of its history.

TR

Link to comment
Share on other sites

I suspect this was a weapon allocated by the War Trophies Committee. A check of the local newspapers and the local council minutes book may well bring to light something of its history.

TR

Except that it appears to be on private property

Link to comment
Share on other sites

I wonder who has taken the trouble to appear have painted the wheels even though the near one seems to be at the point of collapse.

And why pink?

Link to comment
Share on other sites

And why pink?

It's the property of the late Syd Barret, and inspired him to write the song "PoW R TocH"

Link to comment
Share on other sites

  • 1 year later...

Does anyone know if this gun is still in place?

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Does anyone know if this gun is still in place?

I last drove down that road last year and it was still there then

Link to comment
Share on other sites

I last drove down that road last year and it was still there then

That's more of a no than a yes.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

That's more of a no than a yes.

Actually a definite maybe (as Sam Goldwyn used to say)

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Thats a bit sad, how long before the safety elf condems it a child maiming monster?

Whaddya mean? There's a chain round it isn't there? :D

Link to comment
Share on other sites

.... and who painted the wheels.....

.... and why pink? .......

.... the late Syd Barrett, and inspired him to write the song "PoW R TocH"...

This is a very obscure link to a WW1 "song" (luuurve the lyrics BTW!)

A drug fuelled tribute to PoW's or Power to Toc H????

Perhaps it needs a siege gunner to clarify?

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Does anyone know if this gun is still in place?

Yep, still there - I drive past it quite often when I take the back way home from work if the traffic in Hereford is particularly bad (or at least worse than usual!)

That is of course assuming it's the same gun!

Edited by jp1885
Link to comment
Share on other sites

This is a very obscure link to a WW1 "song" (luuurve the lyrics BTW!)

A drug fuelled tribute to PoW's or Power to Toc H????

Perhaps it needs a siege gunner to clarify?

It's an instrumental on my copy of the album ;-)

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Eugene?

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Would their be any harm in restoring the piece, and bombarding the agricultural college?

They have already finished their work developing the blight-free potato, after all.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Yep, that's why "song" is in quotes.... and the pink.... perhaps too subtle (and that's rarely said about me by Mrs Axe!)!

Can't have been fired by Corporal Clegg - he clearly ain't a gunner!

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Create an account or sign in to comment

You need to be a member in order to leave a comment

Create an account

Sign up for a new account in our community. It's easy!

Register a new account

Sign in

Already have an account? Sign in here.

Sign In Now
×
×
  • Create New...