what is this thing? *pictures inside*

A

archerynut

Regular
Rating - 96.9%
31   1   0
Location
Calgary, Alberta
hello Milsurp Sub-Forum. my aunt follows my uncle around the world selling Sulphur. a couple years ago, they were in Belgium and took a small side trip to the battlefield on my behalf. it was a very nice gesture and something she told me she would do after my having taken part in the movie Passchendaele that was filmed in and around Calgary. she brought me back an item from the field of battle. I don't know what it is, and neither did she, my aunt. this is without a doubt the best spot on CGN to ask this question I think. so heres a picture I took a few minutes ago. if I can take some more of a specific area for clarification, please let me know.
Andrew

 
here's another image

unknown1_zps10120cbe.jpg
 
Looks like the bottom part of a base-fused artillery shell.

I could be wrong (often am wrong) but that's what it looks like.

Check the POCKET BOOK OF AMMUNITION - 1924. You can download a free copy over at milsurps dot com.

Neat!
 
Remnants of a World War 1, possibly British, Time & Percussion fuze from the top end (pointy end) of an artillery shell. Impossible to tell the model number without seeing if there are any markings or knowing the dimensions.
 
DSCF0001-1.jpg


Sort of looks similar to my 18PDR shrapnel shell, top retainer ring and the bottom of the fuse. The ring is the next part below the transport plug at the top of this shell. Usually the fuse and ring would burst off when the shell exploded propelling the shrapnel balls forward. I can provide better pics of that ring later when I get home.

It should be flat on the bottom with a 1/2 inch hole in the center.
 
Last edited:
I've combed over it pretty close with a magnifying glass and have not been able to find any sort of markings. maybe there is something being obscured by the dirt, but I don't want to remove too much of the authentic mud of Passchendaele. would this item be counter-sunk into the pointy end of a shell, or screwed into the end of the shell and left sticking out proud?
 
Most common fuse in use was the Number 80 Time and Percussion. These worked very well but did not blow away wire all that well once the ground got mushed-up.

Later in the war, the Number 106 came into heavy use for destroying barbed-wire entanglements. It featured instant ignition on striking a single strand of wire.

Both of these screwed into the top of the shell.

The shell in the photo is pretty typical of the type being used. In fact, it was the single most-common type in the Imperial forces. The copper PLUG at the top would be removed, the Fuse screwed into place and then the FUSE would be SET (if it was a Number 80 T&P) prior to being fired. The 106 fuse was instant-ignition only, required no setting, only safety procedures so that it didn't go off if handled roughly.

The angled HOLE downward indicates that this could be Number 80 with the brass setting rings blown off.
 
I concure with smellie.

there should be 2 brass rings that were used to set the time delay and a nose cap that screws on and holds everything in place.

you have the base of the fuse that screws into the top of the shell.
 
The ring that screws into the shell is called the Fuse Socket and then the Fuse screws into that.
the last photo is the fuse screwed into the socket.

threads on the Socket measure 2.452 inches
max diameter of the socket is 2.727

I cant help you with the fuse as mine is a #88

Hope this helps
Chili


IMG_2387_zps155ca613.jpg

IMG_2388_zps55952e6e.jpg

IMG_2389_zps2f87be31.jpg

IMG_2390_zps606cb069.jpg
 
unknown3_zpsfbf9fffb.jpg


cigar_man - I do not even entertain the thought of "cleaning" this cool item. I thought the coolest thing about this neat object was all the dirt and dried Belgian mud. I thought I was the only person who likes this sort of patina.

thanks for all the valuable information guys. there is a real repository of information on this forum. its pretty impressive actually.
 
cigar_man - I do not even entertain the thought of "cleaning" this cool item. I thought the coolest thing about this neat object was all the dirt and dried Belgian mud. I thought I was the only person who likes this sort of patina.
Click to expand...

You are not alone with that type of patina.

Every September my home away from home is the fields of Belgium and France.

I have a small museum in my basement.

I have pieces of the original Vimy Monument that where given to me during it's reconstruction
by the site manager.

Believe me there was a mountain of it.

I even have a brick from the remains of Hitler's Berghof, Obersalzberg, Germany.

I don't travel to the fields much anymore with my buddies as I get too engrossed in it all for them.

My Great Uncle was with the 4th Canadian Mounted Rifles.

He was buried alive from a bombardment near Ypres and survived.

Wounded, shell shocked and eventually returned to Canada and later died from wounds attained in the war.

I have followed his footsteps on many occasions.

I have been into the fields with a Belgian group called Digger's.

If you look at my avatar it was taken at Essex Farm, Ypres Belgium.

The Long and Short of my story, enjoy what you have.

If it could only talk.

How many if any lives where taken by it and where was it made.

Who made it, when was it fired and so on.

This is what intrigues myself to such pieces of history.

Enjoy.

Cigar_Man

A small sample of a little bit of everything.

First pic is all Vimy Ridge and monument.
20140109_180356_zps4a60b9e9.jpg


20140109_180407_zps9b8b5538.jpg


20140109_180415_zps0548c4c0.jpg


20140109_180421_zps05125776.jpg
 
Last edited:
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top Bottom