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My German gas mask cylinder, M6 Sherman periscope and 88mm shell casing. I recovered the gas mask cylinder and 88mm casing in 2004 during a teaching trip we used to run at the Uni where I worked. They came from a hedgerow at Moissy Ford, the infamous Corridor of Death near Falaise, and the 88mm shell was one of seven I found and this was the only intact one, the rest were all corkscrewed from exploding. Given the hole in mine from a 20mm cannon round, it probably set the rest off. After a bit of research we think it came from a flak battery that was strafed on the road just before the Ford, but it coukd have been a supply truck or anything... not from a Tiger though.

The gas mask cylinder also has neat hole in it from a .303 round, which we found several of in the same area that day. Its been run over at some point too.

I also have a 105mm shell casing recovered from the same area that year and a single 7.92mm bullet casing. That bullet casing is rather interesting as it was given to me by a gent on Mont Pincon who recovered it during work on a telephone mast. It came from a buried German MG foxhole, and was one of scores in the dug out. Also in the foxhole were the remains of the two German soldiers who died with their gun and were simply buried in their foxhole. They were identified and reburied at La Cambe in 2004.






Best image I could find of one in situ...




My M6 periscope...





And the teeny tiny view...

Thanks for sharing!

That periscope, is it from the driver's position, assistant driver's or did the Sherman use one type of periscope for every crew position that had one?

Just used the one apart from the gunners sights I think. Certainly the M6 was used in the hull position and cupola.

yep, the M6 periscope was used for all positions except the gunner. It was replaced by the M13 late in the war.

Nice finds, Big P. Especially the periscope.

Thanks for sharing.