British Type 119 Fuse Info needed

[mk1mark]

Hi,

I recently bought 2 6 pndr cases c/w a pair of loose type 119 impact fuses, both dated 1943.

They both appear to be in good condition, apart from a somewhat crushed nose on both. One is pretty much complete apart from the transit cap, the other has a retaining plate missing from its inner workings, but is otherwise very good.

I know absolutely nothing about these particular fuses & wondered if any of the members here could fill me in on them.

Finally, can someone give me an idea as to what they might be worth.

Will post pictures this evening.

Thanks,

Mark F

 

[hicky1300]

The 119`s were introduced in 1943 so you have a pair of early ones!
No idea as to value as condition/completeness a part of this.
Always a good idea to try a bit of detective work off your own bat - don`t take it the wrong way but Google is a powerful force Hmm?!
Try this link for starters http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Contact_fuze
119 similar to the 117 in that it was a direct action & graze initiated fuze.
With the transit cap removed upon firing the centrifugal force imparted by the rifling throws out some counter weights that allow the striker to hit the percussion cap upon impact with target. Thereby setting off the main charge (very abridged version!!). The obvious advantage of this was that if the projectile was dropped onto its nose with the trans cap off it would not detonate.

 

[spotter]

Heres a couple of other posts about the No119 which may be of interest to you
http://www.bocn.co.uk/vbforum/threads/14081-119-Fuze-drawing?highlight=no119
http://www.bocn.co.uk/vbforum/threads/17601-3-x-cut-No119-Fuze?highlight=no119

 

[hicky1300]

Apologies to Spotter - as always - using the search box here is a good start as well!!!

 

[flak18]

The "transit cap" was sometimes left on to give a fractional delay to the functioning of the projectile. The removal of the cap has nothing to do with the safety aspects of the fuse. Most fuses are bore safe and will not function until the projectile has been spun up the bore. Also, dropping the fuse on it's nose could never make the fuze function..otherwise there would be a lot less artillerymen in the world

 

[AMMOTECHXT]

Those that I find are commonly dated 1940. Spotter's sticky about fuzes gives you a good idea as to when the 119 was in service: http://www.bocn.co.uk/vbforum/threads/20156-List-Of-British-Fuzes-(revised). It is the same info we were issued when I joined as an apprentice in 1978 and although there was a caveat `Not to be taken or quoted as an authority', I never found the info to be wrong.