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Old fuze

SG500

Well-Known Member
Premium Member
Does anyone have any information about this old fuze please. Photo 5 shows a close up of the screw that is in the top of the fuze and photo 6 shows the inside.

Thanks.

Dave.

IMG_4916.jpgIMG_4917.jpgIMG_4918.jpgIMG_4919.jpgIMG_4920.jpgIMG_4923.jpg
 
Dave,
It looks like a powder train time fuse oweing to the vent holes. However, the item in fifth place doesn't look like it belongs to the rest?? The top center screw is removed exposing quick match. Of course the long time fuse column is not on yours.

John
 

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  • British Boxer 20 Sec Metal Time Fuze.jpg
    British Boxer 20 Sec Metal Time Fuze.jpg
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Hallo John,
the 5th picture shows the capholder screw and seems to exactly fit the pictured fuze. The 6th picture, with the screw removed, shows the firing-needle. I think you would call this a concussion time fuze, where the powder train is ignited through set back force upon firing. The system used for early cylindrical projectiles, where the propellant fire could not reach the fuze. The lower part with the powder train, like in your nice picture, seems to be missing. I'm not conversant with those early british fuzes and have not seen one which is made in 2 parts (seperate powder train body).
With kind regards,
Bellifortis.
 
Hi, thanks guys, number 5 is definitely part of it. Its held in place by a tiny screw as can be seen in the second photo below.
The first photo shows a striker that moves inside the fuze.
The last photo shows tiny holes in the side of the fuze, would these be vent holes?
Dave.

IMG_4941.jpgIMG_4943.jpgIMG_4942.jpg
 
Dave I see it now. the photo makes it appear much larger .
The fuze view in position four shows a vent hole. the tiny ones look like eigher safety pin holes or holes for set screws (grub screws).
The RL makes it a royal Laboratory fuze . Is that a 'L" next to it?
Can you tilt the angle drawing back a little to show the end of the threads and send it to my email full size?
Nothing ellse attaches to the bottom of your fuze. Darn if I can see the needle you refer to. :)

John
 
It says..........
R (arrow) L I
If you look at the first photo on post 4 above there is a black hole to the centre of the picture. The pyramid shaped top to the needle is facing upwards in the centre of the hole.
E mail sent of the angle you requested.
Dave.

IMG_4948.jpg
 
Dave thanks , a beautiful speciman.
It is a British L1 Time and Direct Action fuse, obsolete.
Look at 'Sticky' heading at top of Fuzes, British L Series fuzes.
Regardds,
John
Wished I had a sectioned view. If you see one please send it to me.
 
Dave, I see the number 23 appear in a number of places on this one. Do you know the significance of this?
I looked at a sticky thread which has a list of fuzes and the number 23 is blank, other than saying it is a early fuze and that it is a time fuze (.....if Bellifortis is correct in its function then would this be known simply as a time fuze or would it be listed as a concussion time fuze?)
http://www.bocn.co.uk/vbforum/threads/20156-List-Of-British-Fuzes-(revised)
could it be a no 23?? or is that too obvious?

regards Kev
 
Looks too early to be an L series fuze,, the L designation came into use in 1952
 
Looks too early to be an L series fuze,, the L designation came into use in 1952

Hi Allan,
the no23 in the link I put says it was introduced in 1887 and obsolete in 1895 - which is not a very long time considering how long some of the fuzes were in service? (though I have no idea if this is the time frame for the fuze Dave has posted.)


regards Kev
 
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Dave's fuze is in the late 1800s. I think Allen is correct as L1 is for a 3.7 AA shell.
Would you use a time fuze against aircraft? Don't think so.
John
 
Hi Allan,
the no23 in the link I put says it was introduced in 1887 and obsolete in 1895 - which is not a very long time considering how long some of the fuzes were in service? (though I have no idea if this is the time frame for the fuze Dave has posted.)


regards Kev

Thanks Kev, the 23 you refer to from the 1890's looks completely different to the one on this thread, no resemblance at all. Thanks for suggesting it though.

Dave.
 
Thanks Kev, the 23 you refer to from the 1890's looks completely different to the one on this thread, no resemblance at all. Thanks for suggesting it though.

Dave.

no worries, just showing my ignorance, best stick to what I know eh?
btw, what time period does the fuze you have belong?, you say its an early fuze, but just how early is early?

regards Kev
 
Gents I believe the #23 stamp is like a serial number like the number stamps on a gun, it keeps all the same parts together for the same fuze.
Regards,
John
 
best stick to what I know eh?

No, not at all, all suggestions are welcome, I'm don't have a clue either. I'm hoping one of the fuze specialists will be able to help out here, its a bit of a mystery.

Dave.
 
Judging by its construction, the rather large sized cap in its screwholder plus the type of firing pin(needle) I would place this around 1850-1870. But, where is the powder train in this fuze ? Is it ring shaped or cylindrical ? John's drawing shows a cylindrical powdertrain in the long bottom part, but in this fuze there seems to be no space for a powdertrain. The other thing I don't understand is that narrow horizontal channel opening at the side - top of the fuze. What function could this have ? Could you please post a detailed view of the bottom of the fuze looking inside.
Regards,
Bellifortis.
 
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Dave,

Is the threaded section tapered? What is the diameter of the thread at the widest point?

TimG
 
Gents the only purpose of posting my drawing was to show the relationship between the top screw and the curved area for the gases vent. If the time element is what I believe it to be it is a compressed cylinder of pressed mealed black powder and bears no resemblance to my vertical column of mealed powder.

I will guess it to have G.S. threads.

REgards,
John
 
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