Odd fuze

[SG500]

A friend of mine got this in an antique shop recently.
It looks like a standard enough fuze but the top obviously isn't.
It has non standard internals (no photos of those, he didn't want to take it to bits again).
The only stampings are the design numbers:
DD(L)10180B
OB(Wh)3357
Anyone any ideas?
Dave.

 

[Bonnex]

Sorry Dave, I completely missed this posting. The clue is in the vane of course suggesting a projectile that does not rotate, either a mortar bomb or a rocket. In this case it is:

Fuze, Time & DA, for use in 3-inch "U" Projectile: with Powder filled magazine.

There were a couple of designs of vane-armed fuzes produced to rival the No 700 Fuze. The vaned cap rotates and screws down a central spindle, releasing a ball which permits a time detonator to fire. This model DD(L)10180B was an improvement of the first design (which was dangerous to fill) dates from February 1942. It never got further than the trials stage due to failures to arm.

 

[SG500]

Great thanks Norman, it just goes to show these things still turn up in antique shops.

Dave.

 

[bdgreen]

Can someone explain what a "U" projectile is? .

Thanks

Brian

 

[Bonnex]

Brian,
Apologies, I should have expanded that. In this case 'U' is for Unrotated. Unrotated Projectile ( or UP) was the name used to cover rockets (almost as a code word) in the UK. This fuze was for the 3-inch Rocket used in anti-aircraft work.

 

[bdgreen]

Bonnex,

Thanks for the explanation!

Brian