Decades-Old Weapons Cache Discovered at School Construction Site

[Drache]

Construction workers preparing to build a new classroom at a school in northern Israel discovered a large underground weapons cache on Monday that included 50 decades-old guns and grenades described as having survived  in pristine condition.

The weapons found on Kibbutz Mesilot were among those hidden by fighters of the Haganah, the Jewish community's defense force when the area was under British rule before the 1948 War of Independence.

Beit She'an Police Chief Superintendent Amos Shimoni told Ynet that the weapons were preserved so well in a large box that some appeared to be in practically new condition.



During the years that preceded the 1948 war, kibbutz members hid guns and grenades near their homes to defend against attacks by Arab gunmen. Over the years, as the veterans have died one by one, none ever revealed where the weapons were stashed, Israel's Channel 10 reported.

"It's simply amazing," local resident Mordechai Brown told Channel 10.



Ami Magen, also of Mesilot, said that neighbors knew there was a weapons storage box somewhere in the area, but nobody could pinpoint the exact location.

"The people who hid the weapons are no longer alive, and they didn't tell anyone where the weapons were, even after the War of Independence and the establishment of the state," Magen told Channel 10, adding that the firearms had been wrapped in wax paper.





Similar 1940s weapons caches have been discovered in the past in Israel. Israel National News explained their background: "The caches were originally hidden by members of Jewish communities in pre-state days, who smuggled them into the country to defend themselves against Arabs, and later, to fight the Mandatory government's British troops."

"The weapons were illegal, and were hidden away for use when fighting became imminent. In many areas, however, the weapons were never taken out of their hiding places either because they weren't needed, or because they were forgotten," the news site added.

http://www.theblaze.com/stories/2014/01/28/decades-old-weapons-cache-discovered-at-school-construction-site/

[twodko]

Wow, that's too cool. I'd love to see some of the surviving weapons said to be in " practically new condition".

[tan top]

  amazing stuff

[Drache]

Wow, that's too cool. I'd love to see some of the surviving weapons said to be in " practically new condition".

The pictures aren't working?

Military weaponry during WWII was routinely covered in greases and oil then wrapped mostly in a Wax paper/cardboard material before being placed into long term storage.

Here's a gun someone is selling on a forum I'm on:

[Mopar Nut]

That's cool, thanks for sharing.

[JB400]

I think he meant that he'd like to see one not wrapped up.  I wouldn't mind either

[Mopar Nut]

I think he meant that he'd like to see one not wrapped up.  I wouldn't mind either

I think that would hurt the value.

What is he asking for it?

[Drache]

I think he meant that he'd like to see one not wrapped up.  I wouldn't mind either

I think that would hurt the value.

What is he asking for it?

The one I posted is being listed at $1200

[daveco]

Wouldn't it be cool to buy an old school building and find an old weapons cache on the grounds

[twodko]

I think he meant that he'd like to see one not wrapped up.  I wouldn't mind either

Precisely.

You're mighty defensive Drache.

[polywideblock]

Wow, that's too cool. I'd love to see some of the surviving weapons said to be in " practically new condition".

The pictures aren't working?

Military weaponry during WWII was routinely covered in greases and oil then wrapped mostly in a Wax paper/cardboard material before being placed into long term storage.

Here's a gun someone is selling on a forum I'm on:

is that an smle by any chance ?  has front sight "ears " like one 

[Drache]

I think he meant that he'd like to see one not wrapped up.  I wouldn't mind either

Precisely.

You're mighty defensive Drache.

Because in one day I responded to over 20 "know it alls" who said the weapons were obviously all rusted as seen by the pictures.

[BrianShaughnessy]

Cosmoline.  it's not just for dipping your lower control arms into...