UK METAL DETECTING

Tommygunn

I now reside in Italy and have started to get seriously into battlefield detection.
However, I want to make sure I've got my back covered and that it is legal. So, does anyone know what the rules and regs are in Italy in terms of 20th century battlefield sites and also if I happen to stumble across a high value 'crock of gold'?
Cheers.

rayredditch · Joined: 03 Jul 2007 Posts: 222

Depends what part of Italy you´re in. In the North you can buy a licence at the local museum, and probably at the filling stations too. Further South I don´t know what the rules are, but I believe in some area´s it´s almost impossible.

Tommygunn · Posted: Tue Apr 22, 2008 7:40 pm Post subject:

I'm up on the north east coast, around Rimini and Pesaro.
If I might ask where did you get your info from?

rayredditch · Joined: 03 Jul 2007 Posts: 222

German Forum, mates used to go there all the time. On the permit you get is the number of the local Arche. If you find something, he comes and records it, and pay´s you between 15 and 30% of it´s value, and you get to keep it. If they decide they want to keep it, you get 100% of the value.
That´s how it used to work up North, but I´m not sure it´s still the same now. Best check at the local museum.

Tommygunn · Posted: Tue Apr 22, 2008 10:58 pm Post subject:

Yep, I'll contact the local museum and the police and see what they have to say.
Cheers.

UK Brian · Joined: 08 May 2007 Posts: 431 Location: Wales

When I was last there Sicilia, Val d'aosta, Toscana, Calabria and Lazio were the no go areas.
All finds coins or items were supposed to be reported to the "Superintendency of Arts" as the assumption is that everything belongs to the State but "Treasure Trove" payments are made if you have been detecting legally. With later finds, (after 1500) a percentage of the value has to go to the landowner. If they will pay you up to 30% and let you keep the item I'll be back there next week !

I always check what the current state of play is with the major detector retailer plus it would be handy for you to have a word about what works best for your needs. Try www.mediaelettra.com but don't let him try to sell you one of his P.I.'s.

From the prices and what you have to spend I think you have to go secondhand and you will definately need a machine with ground balance. I did well with an old Minelab Musketeer. A later version, the Advantage has similar performance but a lighter coil, so not as nose heavy.

Tommygunn · Posted: Wed Apr 23, 2008 12:14 pm Post subject:

Thanks for the heads up, UK.

JayKay · Joined: 25 Jun 2008 Posts: 2 Location: Italy

Tom,
As far as I know, I met some people here in Tuscany who do a lot of MD research on the Linea Gotica in Prato area and they told me that no permission is required, although I know they are in good contact with the local caribinieri and specialized bomb squads from Bologna (artificieri dei Carabinieri) etc. They're very well organized and have a great private museum with lots of interesting finds including parts of a Spitfire.
Do a search for: "Gruppo storico di Ricerca Linea Gotica" for further information.

Ciao,
Justin