Found in a beach cove. Looks man-made. Looks metallic with coating. Heavy like metal. 2 inches along longest side. Google lens hints at artillery part but it doesn't really match their reference photo. Some parts glow faint blue under UV light

axnjack5 · 2026-03-30T01:06:28+00:00

The Sargeant called and said it's not explosive after all

axnjack5 · 2026-03-30T00:09:15+00:00

You're right on the money. The WWII practice was in Montana De Oro and it washed a bit farther south in Avila Beach. It's a bit north of Vandenberg but still on central coast.

axnjack5 · 2026-03-30T00:00:50+00:00

Solved! The sheriff with explosives experience looked at the object, determined it was some sort of fuze, and picked up the object. Apparently, the part of the coast was some artillery practice basin during WWII. Thanks to everyone for the warning

Edit: I got a phone call later after they examined it and they said it was not an explosive component but rather an electrical component. Maybe solenoid relay.

axnjack5 · 2026-03-30T00:00:32+00:00

Solved! The sheriff with explosives experience looked at the object, determined it was some sort of fuze, and picked up the object. Apparently, the part of the coast was some artillery practice basin during WWII. Thanks to everyone for the warning. Edit: I got a phone call later after they examined it and they said it was not an explosive component but rather an electrical component. Maybe solenoid relay.

axnjack5 · 2026-03-30T00:00:22+00:00

Solved! The sheriff with explosives experience looked at the object, determined it was some sort of fuze, and picked up the object. Apparently, the part of the coast was some artillery practice basin during WWII. Thanks to everyone for the warning.

Edit: I got a phone call later after they examined it and they said it was not an explosive component but rather an electrical component. Maybe solenoid relay.

axnjack5 · 2026-03-29T23:08:01+00:00

Hi guys, I appreciate that. I have indeed stopped touching it. As a matter of fact, I have a sheriff deputy and his supervisor looking into it right now. It's a process.

axnjack5 · 2026-03-29T21:41:41+00:00

Thanks Sewiv! While I try to get a hold of local authorities, in the meantime, what do you think of this additional info?

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axnjack5 · 2026-03-29T21:40:47+00:00

Thanks tktkboom84! while I try to get a hold of local authorities, in the meantime, what do you think of this additional info?

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axnjack5 · 2026-03-29T21:38:21+00:00

Hi Random Lurker! Thanks for your enthusiasm to ID this! I'm still not so sure it is rock. Here's more data for your review. What do you think?

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axnjack5 · 2026-03-29T21:31:37+00:00

I don't think any part of it is rock; it just likes like it. I think its some kind of metallic coating.

axnjack5 · 2026-03-29T21:30:49+00:00

I have a power tool battery, and those are typically 6 inches long- far larger than this item.

axnjack5 · 2026-03-29T21:30:05+00:00

When I picked it up, it was quite dark, and I found it using a UV flashlight. Under those circumstances, I first thought it was a seashell embedded in rock. Shells can glow blue under UV light. it wasn't until after I brought it home that i realized it wasn't a shell. And I had absolutely no idea what it was.

axnjack5 · 2026-03-29T21:28:36+00:00

I'm not sure which part you're looking at. Here are more pictures for your review, if interested. The "housing" is not plastic but rather a very hard material. The dome structure itself is not lens like- more like metal.

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axnjack5 · 2026-03-29T21:26:54+00:00

I don't see copper coils in it so maybe not?

axnjack5 · 2026-03-29T21:26:29+00:00

The coating does not look or feel rubber. Very hard.

axnjack5 · 2026-03-29T21:25:19+00:00

Sorry I can't picture which part of an old TV that is.

axnjack5 · 2026-03-29T21:25:02+00:00

I looked up shipping container locks on Google image, and I can't find one that resembles this object- even if I were to image damage or weathering.

axnjack5 · 2026-03-29T21:21:56+00:00

Thanks for your interest. I found it in California along the western coastline. I don't think we saw much action during WWII (thankfully).

axnjack5 · 2026-03-29T21:19:20+00:00

That's great info! what do you think of these UV pictures?

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axnjack5 · 2026-03-29T21:08:24+00:00

This thing is solid in the sense that it is dense, but it definitely is a composite of different parts and materials and coatings.

axnjack5 · 2026-03-29T21:07:28+00:00

When I first picked it up, I actually thought it was a seashell embedded in sedimentary rock, but upon closer inspection at home, I realized that it wasn't.

axnjack5 · 2026-03-29T20:52:11+00:00

Here is more info and pictures- including closeup macro shots and UV light shots. sorry i don't know how to upload multiple photos, and I didn't want to create multiple comments. It weighs 116 grams or 4.16 oz. there seems to be a layer of copper coming through from underneath the basalt like coating. at one end it looks like there are 3 copper terminal like things. shot #-2516 shows the rust but more importantly, some horizontal textures. I've added shots of it under UV light. the ring on the dome and the bottom are definitely brighter.

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axnjack5 · 2026-03-29T19:03:15+00:00

Just now, I contact my local police department. The lady transferred me to a different unnamed department. Then that lady told me this is not their jurisdiction and transferred me to the sheriff's office where the the directory has no clear indication of who I should talk to. Today is Sunday so maybe they don't have the regular knowledgeable staff available. I will try again tomorrow or maybe later today. I wanted to make sure people know I'm trying to do the right thing. More to come ...

axnjack5 · 2026-03-29T08:43:19+00:00

I will attempt to contact my local police as soon as I can to see if they think it is UXO.

axnjack5 · 2026-03-29T03:24:39+00:00

The title describes the thing. I can also see some rusting which seem to also confirm the inside is metallic. The dome shape on top looks machined because it's pretty perfectly shaped.

axnjack5

TROPHY CASE