Surprising Seagull SD discovery

[mauriziopiras]

Hi there guys,

I found a magnificent SD Army type in a forgotten deposit near Lake Maggiore in northern Italy.
It is an outboard probably transported to Italy during the military occupation of North Italy and abandoned by the Allies in 1945 after the end of the WWII. It has original military colors. Serial number is SD 1931. Transportation "VIA CALAIS" is indicated in the wooden case, as well as the date Aug. 1945 (when Allied troops arrived in North Italy occupied by German army).
It was left in a shed for 70 years until when was discovered in the last days.
The engine is complete and in working order and is in its original wooden crate. Please look at the transom bracket and the extra long extension of the tiller arm.
Cheers
Maurizio

[mauriziopiras]

Other photos

[AusAnzani]

Wow, what an excellent find! Congratulations Maurizio.

We definitely need to record as much information as possible on this one. Certainly interesting to see what appears to be a transom mount bronze skeletal bracket and optional carry/transportation handle. I've not seen either with early SD's before!

Member Hugz is your man for data collection.

I would certainly love to see more photos with the engine out of the crate.

Regards,
Spiro

[AusAnzani]

PS: Does anyone know here the correct name for the Green Paint applied to flywheel?

[Hugz]

What a great find! Any chance you can pop the lid on the magneto to get the magneto number. It should be JM with 4 or 5 digits. Does the engine number finish with P3 or L3. I'm assuming the clutch lever is unscripted ie plain. We need to find you a copper fuel line. Any more pics with her out of the box....

What is the extension tiller made of? You will have to excuse my inquisition I'm fascinated by these amazing machines.

Below is a similar box. Not many around.

[Hugz]

PS: Does anyone know here the correct name for the Green Paint applied to flywheel?

That would be an interesting area of research. We need to have someone match it. Jacob? Dulux has an Army Green but that is an Australian company though now in the UK.

[AusAnzani]

PS: Does anyone know here the correct name for the Green Paint applied to flywheel?

That would be an interesting area of research. We need to have someone match it. Jacob? Dulux has an Army Green but that is an Australian company though now in the UK.

Indeed it would Hugo.

Matching the color on Commando outboard has been challenging to say the least. Have considered all the Australian Army colors of WWII and none of those match up. My belief is that if was finished in a British Army color, and that which appears on the SD seems to be very similar.

Is it possible the British SD and the Australian Commando were finished in the same color?

Regards,
Spiro

[mauriziopiras]

Hi there,
Complete serial number is SD1931P3. It could be made in 1943 or 1944. What do you think?
I will provide you for the JM code as soon as I dismantle the flywheel cover.
Original fuel copper tube went lost and the line was replaced with a plastic one.
Brass clutch lever seems not to have a specific code.
The long extension of the tiller arm is brass made and black painted.
See you soon in the forum
Regards
Maurizio

[Hugz]

Wonderful. Thanks. Can't wait to see pics of the bits at the bottom of the box. I'm hoping l can see a little push runny grease gun. Another bit that looks like a box spanner with a spindle through it.... looks familiar but can't place it.

Can l have your permission to add the details to the SD
global register? It will be the only one in Italy.

Glad it is a P3. They are rarer. I would think late 1943.

[Oyster 49]

Wow a very original looking engine, and in particular the box. Great find Can we do a really detailed set of photos so we save all the information for the future?

[Oyster 49]

One other thought, does it have a tank decal? I see the tank is still painted black not green.

[Oyster 49]

Interesting to see that it has the bolt on "Skeletal" bracket. Previously we have tended to believe that the skeletal bracket was an early post war item, however we have an engine here that might have arrived in Italy as part of an army shipment, a little earlier.

Does this open up the question apart when the skeletal bracket first appeared? Great stuff to think about

[mauriziopiras]

Hi Hugz,
You can use data and photos for your register, of course.
You could add my other 2 SD, now dismantled for a complete restoration.
I will post as soon as possible a complete series of photos.
Fuel tank is black painted and with original decals.
I will show some photos of the tank.

Cheers
Maurizio

[seagull101]

Wow, nice motor. i too have a crated motor but nowhere near as interesting as an SD.

Hugo, i would be happy to help with the green paint but the nearest place i could go to match it is 140 miles away. I can probably do something but it wouldn't been soon.

Jacob

[mauriziopiras]

Hello,
Here the JM code and details of fuel tank
Cheers
Maurizio