What is this thing?

David emailed me to ask what the below object is. I have no idea, although the suggestion that it's a cartridge delinker sounds plausible.

I believe it is a military accessory and I would like some help to identify what it is. Attached is a picture, there is a stamp on the side that says "8D/2538" with a crown and "M" below that, and a circle below that with "R G 31" inside the circle. It appears to be made from brass. Someone suggested it is possibly a delinker to remove shells from a machine gun belt.

tooljpg tfb tm What is this thing? photo

Anyone know?

Related Posts

8 Responses to “What is this thing?”

Sort The Responses Below: Most Recent | Highest Rated
  1. Komradwrote on October 19th, 2009 at 3:28 am Link To Comment | Reply To Comment

    I wonder why it’s brass. Could it be to prevent sparks? What kind of links is it for? I would think cloth links wouldn’t need it.

    Please rate this comment: Thumb up 0 Thumb down 0
  2. Flashmanwrote on October 18th, 2009 at 7:55 pm Link To Comment | Reply To Comment

    The rounds in the pictures are rimmed and resemble .303 British. The “RG” stamp on the item is reminiscent of the same abbreviation appearing on UK manufactured ammunition ex the Radway Green factory. So – a linker/delinker for a .303 Browning perhaps?

    Please rate this comment: Thumb up 0 Thumb down 0
  3. Davidwrote on October 18th, 2009 at 4:37 pm Link To Comment | Reply To Comment

    Thanks for the help!!!

    Please rate this comment: Thumb up 0 Thumb down 0
  4. Stevewrote on October 17th, 2009 at 10:34 am Link To Comment | Reply To Comment

    Komrad, NOT cool.

    Please rate this comment: Thumb up 0 Thumb down 0
  5. Oswald Bastablewrote on October 16th, 2009 at 8:44 pm Link To Comment | Reply To Comment

    It is a linker/delinker!

    Please rate this comment: Thumb up 0 Thumb down 0
  6. Oswald Bastablewrote on October 16th, 2009 at 8:26 pm Link To Comment | Reply To Comment

    I found a picture here:

    http://www.fototime.com/EDF33CD2BC349BE/orig.jpg

    and here:

    http://www.fototime.com/0D39026CB261477/standard.jpg

    Looks like it is used for LINKING not delinking.

    Please rate this comment: Thumb up 0 Thumb down 0
  7. JWwrote on October 16th, 2009 at 7:26 pm Link To Comment | Reply To Comment

    I’d agree with that suggestion, I found this web page: http://www.thedonovan.com/archives/006675.html with a pretty good picture of one in action.

    Please rate this comment: Thumb up 0 Thumb down 0
  1. Davidwrote on October 18th, 2009 at 4:37 pm Link To Comment | Reply To Comment

    Thanks for the help!!!

    Please rate this comment: Thumb up 0 Thumb down 0
  2. Flashmanwrote on October 18th, 2009 at 7:55 pm Link To Comment | Reply To Comment

    The rounds in the pictures are rimmed and resemble .303 British. The “RG” stamp on the item is reminiscent of the same abbreviation appearing on UK manufactured ammunition ex the Radway Green factory. So – a linker/delinker for a .303 Browning perhaps?

    Please rate this comment: Thumb up 0 Thumb down 0
  3. Komradwrote on October 19th, 2009 at 3:28 am Link To Comment | Reply To Comment

    I wonder why it’s brass. Could it be to prevent sparks? What kind of links is it for? I would think cloth links wouldn’t need it.

    Please rate this comment: Thumb up 0 Thumb down 0
  4. Stevewrote on October 17th, 2009 at 10:34 am Link To Comment | Reply To Comment

    Komrad, NOT cool.

    Please rate this comment: Thumb up 0 Thumb down 0
  5. Oswald Bastablewrote on October 16th, 2009 at 8:26 pm Link To Comment | Reply To Comment

    I found a picture here:

    http://www.fototime.com/EDF33CD2BC349BE/orig.jpg

    and here:

    http://www.fototime.com/0D39026CB261477/standard.jpg

    Looks like it is used for LINKING not delinking.

    Please rate this comment: Thumb up 0 Thumb down 0
  6. Oswald Bastablewrote on October 16th, 2009 at 8:44 pm Link To Comment | Reply To Comment

    It is a linker/delinker!

    Please rate this comment: Thumb up 0 Thumb down 0
  7. JWwrote on October 16th, 2009 at 7:26 pm Link To Comment | Reply To Comment

    I’d agree with that suggestion, I found this web page: http://www.thedonovan.com/archives/006675.html with a pretty good picture of one in action.

    Please rate this comment: Thumb up 0 Thumb down 0

Leave a Comment