Is This An Artillery Fuse? Random Object ID

[joe6167]

This has been kicking around the garage for ages, no idea what it is or where it came from, but it sure looks an awful lot like an artillery fuse. Can anybody recognize what it is?

 

[bearhunter]

It's the top of a PROXIMITY FUSE, the part which is screwed into and ignites the charge in the projectile is gone.

 

[joe6167]

It's the top of a PROXIMITY FUSE, the part which is screwed into and ignites the charge in the projectile is gone.

Thanks, Any idea what model, calibre, country, etc.?

 

[bearhunter]

Thanks, Any idea what model, calibre, country, etc.?

I haven't seen a lot of those up close and personal, so I couldn't tell you.

There are some very knowledgeable artillery folks on this site, hopefully some of them will help you with that.

 

[Raton57]

British if that helps.

 

[Paul_T]

British if that helps.

Yep. 2" No.80 or 83 perhaps?

https://www.passioncompassion1418.com/decouvertes/english_fusees_collection_gb.html

 

[woodchopper]

definitely a time fuse

and I would go with No 80

 

[CV32]

It's the top of a PROXIMITY FUSE, the part which is screwed into and ignites the charge in the projectile is gone.

Its not a proximity fuze. That typically requires a sensor, e.g. optical, IR or RF, and this fuze likely predates their use. Looks to be the No.80 time/percussion fuze as woodchopper says.

 

[bearhunter]

Thanx for the clarification, I'm not familiar with artillery projectiles.

 

[woodchopper]

I had one at one time from a base bleed smoke shell

cleaned up real nice after 2 days in the tumbler

disassemble and just clean it up, screw off the nose cone and the rings should all just lift off

makes a nice little bookshelf display

 

[joe6167]

Some more photos. My father says there are no markings on it.

Any idea what this base that the fuse is mounted on is for?

 

[woodchopper]

that bottom piece has got me scratching my head

looks like the bottom / base of a shell casing that has been modified, but I would of expected to see more markings on it

 

[CV32]

Looks like the rim of the shell casing.

 

[joe6167]

Yep. Here's the bottom of a QF 18-pounder shell. I just wonder what happened to all the markings. I guess this was someone's knick-knack project.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/QF_18-pounder_gun

http://www.passioncompassion1418.com/decouvertes/english_fusees_collection_gb.html#80

~British WW1 QF 18 Pounder Shrapnel Shell~

The Ordnance QF 18-pounder, or simply 18-pounder gun, was the standard British Empire field gun of the First World War era. It formed the backbone of the Royal Field Artillery during the war and was produced in large numbers. The Shrapnel shell was filled with 375 lead balls and was fitted with a No. 80 time and percussion fuze. The projectile and fuze can be easily removed from the casing.

The Shell is 22.5 inches long and 4 inches wide.

https://sallyantiques.co.uk/product/british-ww1-qf-18-pounder-shrapnel-shell/

And here's the whole thing.