Any thoughts on this????

[Dronic69]

Hi Everyone,

This has been driving me nuts to ID, so all thoughts welcome!

It is some type of clock mechanism - I'm assuming naval usage due to the heavy brass construction and circular flush surface.....................

Approx 4.5" to 5" in diameter and 2.5" in depth.

The shape and construction appears to imply a sea mine function (I did also think of torpedo usage but could not see how it would function - similarly for Depth charges as these used hydro-static mechanisms)???

Perhaps a mine clock starter /sterilizer /delay mechanism? (The Germans seemed to have used these fairly extensively during WW2)

The stamps /markings sort of look similar to those on my German Torpedo gyro mechanism from memory.

Thanks

Cheers
Drew

 

[Dronic69]

Anyone has any ideas at all????

Thanks
Cheers
Drew

 

[EOD]

I agree that the markings look German as they were used on sea mine arming mechanizms but that's about it.

 

[Dronic69]

Hi EOD,

Thanks for your thoughts!

I found a reference to a WW2 German electro-mechanical fuse that was removed from a parachute mine...... it has a similar marking format and slightly larger diameter (15cm ~ 6")

"atb 41 1a 186"

Second World War German electro-mechanical fuze timer that was removed from a parachute mine, which fell through the top of a large gasometer at Garston Gas Works, Liverpool, on 28 November 1940. The mine was made safe by Temporary Lieutenant (later Lieutenant-Commander) H R Newgass RNVR who, working on his own in the most dangerous and difficult of conditions, had to use breathing apparatus.

Physical description
fuze electro-mechanical fuze timer (L 10cm x 15cm diameter), made of plastic and metal. The component bears the stamped markings: 'atb 41 1a 186'.

whereas this one is

"(50) 40 6a 8"


Also found an execellent reference on WW2 German mine Clock:

"German Mine Clock, Period Delay Mechanisms, Sterilizers and Associated Devices"
American Technical Report No. 405-45 (September 1945)

However the diagrams are pretty bad and hard to make out any IDing details - it could be the U.E.S 1 (Figure 1) on page 13??????

The construction looks very similiar, however no dimensions specs are provided...............

Has anyone got a better copy??

Thanks
Cheers
Drew

 

[Dronic69]

On closer inspection, the clock mechanism is pressure activated - pressing in the central "button" (shown by the red arrow), activates the clock and it stays active as long as the button is depressed. The max. run time is 21 mins...................solid as a rock - heavy brass construction and weighs in at 2lbs!!!

I'm wondering if there was a hydro-static mechanism interfacing to this mechanical clock part - a certain depth is reached and the adjoining hyrdo-static mechanism kicks in and starts this sucker going......

Approx. 21 mins - would this time be "typical" for a mine starter activation mechanism?

Also in attempting to date this mechanism, was it common for a WW2 clock mechanism to be totally solid brass???

The quality of the construction gives the impression it could be pre-WW2, perhaps WW1, but I'm just not sure as I haven't any reference material nor other dated mechanisms to compare with..................I bought it along the lines that it was post-war.

Thanks
Cheers
drew