Early British fuze identification

[Darkman]

My mate Ron has 2 early British fuzes he would like identified. They don't seem to fit anything we can find in any fuze lists or documentation. Both fuzes came with 4.7" shrapnel shells and are the large type with the 1" tapered thread. I thought they may have been No. 23s or 54s, but they aren't when we looked these fuzes up.

The first fuze has a single time ring up to 30 seconds. It was made by RL and is dated 8/87. It has 4 small vent holes in a protrusion in the top cap.



The second fuze is double banked with 2 time rings up to 60 seconds. It was also made by RL, is dated 2/06 and marked (Mk) II. It has a plain top lock cap.




Any ideas on these fuzes?

Thanks,

Graeme

 

[Bonnex]

My mate Ron has 2 early British fuzes he would like identified. They don't seem to fit anything we can find in any fuze lists or documentation. Both fuzes came with 4.7" shrapnel shells and are the large type with the 1" tapered thread. I thought they may have been No. 23s or 54s, but they aren't when we looked these fuzes up.
[...]
Thanks,

Graeme

I think you are right about the first fuze being a No 54. Drawings showing the Mark I, which I think yours is, are hard to find. One attached.

 

[pedro]

For the second my vote is No.62MkII (see Treatise of Ammo 1915) Plate LIX opposite p318

 

[Darkman]

I think you are right about the first fuze being a No 54. Drawings showing the Mark I, which I think yours is, are hard to find. One attached.


View attachment 82873

Thanks Bonnex, that's it!

May I ask what handbook that plate is from?
We looked up the 1902 Treatise on Ammunition and the No. 54 listed there has a plain top cap, not the vented type.

Cheers, Graeme

 

[Darkman]

For the second my vote is No.62MkII (see Treatise of Ammo 1915) Plate LIX opposite p318

Thanks Pedro.

I will look it up tonight. My downloaded copy of the 1915 Treatise is on my computer at home. I'm currently at work and don't want to download a copy onto my work computer.

Cheers, Graeme

 

[Bonnex]

Thanks Bonnex, that's it!

May I ask what handbook that plate is from?
We looked up the 1902 Treatise on Ammunition and the No. 54 listed there has a plain top cap, not the vented type.

Cheers, Graeme

Graeme,

The plate is from a collection of Royal Laboratory plates held in the National Archives. RL lithographic plates were provided (probably on repayment) to Royal Artillery officers under training at Woolwich. The practice went on from about 1860 to 1902. The same format was used in the Treatises.

The Mark II dispensed with the vent and introduced the barrel shaped time ring. The version your chum has is from the first year of manufacture of the Mark I. A pretty rare item I would guess.

 

[Darkman]

For the second my vote is No.62MkII (see Treatise of Ammo 1915) Plate LIX opposite p318

Pedro, yep that's it alright. The plate doesn't show it but the accompanying text states time up to 60 seconds. It also states that the fuse was used on 4.7" shrapnel land service. Thanks.