PDF MKll what is this for ?

[Gspragge]

To answer my own question !
I found this, used in larger than 3" projectiles (which of course I don't have), but made in Canada under contract I presume.

Comments welcome ~

This fuze came stuck in a 4.5" 1917 projectile, just in loosely as it has different
threads. RMC Co is Canadian, but there is nothing to suggest this is for a British
type projectile and the markings look rather American. I have not run across
this kind before. It had a three pin centrifugal safety system which is missing.
We did at the end of ww1 start to do contract work for the U.S. but briefly as the
war ended shortly there after. All steel construction.

I'm hoping of course that it's frightfully rare or at least slightly unusual as
I paid too much for the whole thing of course out of boredom :tinysmile_cry_t2:

 

[bacarnal]

Gordon, I've seen them on the 3" HE shells (US M1902/04/05 Field Gun) as well as the Mk I PD Fuze at a major WWI firing range. Not common at all, though. We had adopted the Russian type fuses, both the Mk I and Mk II because of their safety, then the French types (Mk III, IV and V) were put in use when we were given the M1897 Field Guns. Good find. Cheers, Bruce.

 

[Gspragge]

Thanks, it went to a good friend in the U.S. who had a U.S. ww1 4.7 HE. I found it interesting that it was
made by Russell Motor Car Co for the U.S.,though a natural as they made No80 & 100 series fuzes. ;

"By the opening years of the 20th century, the popularity of the bicycle was fading and, concurrently, interest in motorized transportation was on the rise. In 1903,
the Canada Cycle and Motor Company (CCM) of Toronto purchased the assets of a defunct automobile producer, Canadian Motors Limited. A new automobile
division was established under the leadership of then general manager, Tommy Russell – the Russell Motor Car Co. From 1903 to 1916, the company produced a
range of models with increasingly large engine sizes. In 1911, the Russell Motor Car Co. was so successful, it was incorporated as a entity separate from CCM."


The Russells had a solid reputation as well-built, reliable cars, and sales offices were opened in England, Australia and New Zealand. However,
success in the moderately-priced car market was not enough for Russell. With the arrival in Canada of the almost silent Knight sleeve-valve engine,
Russell saw an opportunity to expand into the luxury car market. Russell began producing vehicles with a significantly quieter engine, embellished with elegant brass fittings and rich hardwood detailing.


The Russell Motor Car Co. was dealt two devastating blows. The first came in 1913, when problems with the sleeve-valve engine resulted in ongoing mechanical difficulties.
In 1914, with the start of World War I in Europe, industrial resources were diverted to the war effort, leaving non-military factories short of materials.
Russell ceased producing cars in 1916 and focussed instead on supplying munitions for the military, and on producing car parts in the post-war period.