Saturday, January 31, 2009

That Would Be A 81MM Mortar Carry Tube, Alex.

One of my recent GeoSnippits tutorial videos called "GeoSnippits Geocache Navigator Tutorial Part Two" had an unusual geocache of which I found. It was a large tube that was two feet long, three inches in diameter with a large cap on the top and a nice handle on the sides. After the video aired on You Tube I received several posts and emails asking what this strange tube was. Quite frankly I didn't know.

At first I looked over the internet, called several Army Surplus stores and still couldn't find an accurate photograph or name of the plastic object. Then today I stopped by my local Army Surplus store and there it was. The very item I was searching for. I again asked the store attendent what it was and they did not know but they said they had a few more in the corner and one had a label on it.

It said that it was a Cartridge for an 81MM Mortar M889. There was a bunch of category stuff most likely warehouse information but there it was. A transport cartridge for a mortar.
I purchased one for $7.00 and will most likely use it for a unique cache. Below are some shots to show you the inside and with the cap off.


6 comments:

  1. That is definitely an intersting cache container! Have not seen anything like that yet in my travels. I do love to discover the many different containers that people place out there though. Feel free to check out my new blog that I just started a couple of weeks ago for geocaching. I am hoping to have it really up and running within the next month or so. Happy Caching!

    http://www.cachingfrenzy.blogspot.com

    http://www.cachingcraze.webs.com

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  2. Using such a container is begging for a visit from the local bomb squad... and they CAN bill you for their efforts. I would avoid this one.

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  3. Using military containers in urban areas is asking for trouble. If you are hiding them in the deep woods, you should be OK. With the advent of "Lock-And-Locks" and other semi-clear containers, it is only prudent us use them instead of military containers in urban areas.

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  4. I would wonder what people would think if they found this one, as others have posted. If it's deep in the woods and away from the "scared" people around, I think it would be pretty wild. Seems like a good container.

    I'm going to probably buy some more lock-and-locks for my next hides, though. I have a couple smaller ones painted and ready to go, but with the stickers on them!

    Would be cool to find one of these out in the middle of nowhere though!

    A \'lil HooHaa

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  5. I was one of the inquiring folks, after viewing your video... I was looking online tonight and they are out there but much more than $7 especially after you pay shipping. I will check with my local surplus place... While I can see the point of some of the concern.. this size of container I would be thinking of a cache out in the woods anyway. Very cool! I was also thinking oen could make a similiar size tube with PVC and fittings. I have seen this once and was very cool. Regards
    Chris In Denver,CO.

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  6. That's a container. Wonder though, how geocaching containers became connected with the military?

    Have to agree with Carolina. Thought about going after a cache is a pretty visible area in front of a public utility facility. Ammo can? Public utility? Not me.

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