Mystery object

[CINDERS]

Bit of fun a mystery object, test your knowledge;

Information

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[Flying10uk]

Is it a German "fuse cap", to be kept on the tip of the shell until just before the shell was going to be fired? The "fuse cap" would then be removed and then the fuse is screwed on making the shell live. As far as I know all British "fuse caps" were made from brass. It appears Germany has chosen plastic/bakerlite.

[Strangely Brown]

As far as I know all British "fuse caps" were made from brass. It appears Germany has chosen plastic/bakerlite.

WW2 fuse caps/covers were a mixture.

On 25 Pdr's & 5.5" howitzers HE shells had a black painted base metal fuse cover, but on 25 Pdr smoke shells with timed fuses came with a brass cover just like the ones you see on Great War trench art.

I should add my observations were taken during the late 1960's and early 1970's when we were still using up WW2 stocks of artillery ammunition.

[Flying10uk]

I have a few WW2 British examples made of brass some of which have been made into ash trays. Will post pictures later.

[CINDERS]

You are correct F10 its a WWII bakerlite fuze holder for the 88mm round I have had the fuze for a while and decided it needed a holder whilst it is not the greatest looking fuze it still has the German stampings also the brass timing mechanism inside though due to its exposure to the elements seized up but still in good nik and we do not often get a chance to own one down under just 2 more bits and I may have a complete round.
I know a chap who has a shell case but he will never part with it Ovidio put me onto a site but they have sold out of the 8.8cm shells.

[browningautorifle]

We used to use tin containers that used a screw on cap. They looked like a silver tobacco can for all the world, very handy for small items in the field camps.

[Flying10uk]

Here are some British brass "fuse caps" and it is my understanding that these were put on the shell during manufacture/storage before being removed shortly before firing, to be replaced by the actual fuse. Would someone confirm that this is correct, please, or were these items actually used to store the fuse it's self with, with perhaps something else blanking off the hole occupied by the fuse in the end of the shell?

The conversion into an ash-tray is a fairly simple bit of metalwork; the cap is cut through into half it's height. The top part is then inverted then reinserted into the bottom part and soft soldered together. It appears that I also have the "deluxe" version with cigarette resting places.

I assume that the conversions of these caps into ash-trays is a period conversion, perhaps for use in a mess? They are how I picked them up and apologies for not cleaning them before taking the pictures.

[browningautorifle]

these were put on the shell during manufacture/storage before being removed shortly before firing, to be replaced by the actual fuse

That was called a shipping plug and would screw in and out. Some had a loop at the "Point" to handle the ammo. They would be unscrewed and the fuze would be screwed in. The fuze for arty shells comes in a separate container. Same with Powder bags, shells...

[Flying10uk]

Ok thanks Jim. The shell cap/ash-tray, with ears or cigarette resting places, my father picked up either during the war or just after but the others I have acquired myself in more recent years from junk shops/flea markets.

[browningautorifle]

You can find original examples of those fuse containers for sale on Ebay, complete with bottom cap.