Just a note on these. These were sold around the year 1900 as they were a "Hot"
souvenir of the period brought on by the Boer use of the Maxim 1pr. Two different
persons registered designs (sort of a copyright) to it would seem capture the market.
This is odd since neither invented the projectile and could hardly claim it. But they got away with it.
These projectiles were one would presume rejects or obsolete and surplus stock etc.
One type seen now and again is a very early and possible trial type with a large opening where the
fuze normally goes. The reason for the large opening is as yet unknown. These projectiles have a
large wide ribbed area as if it was made to trial different band types. In the souvenir version the
hole is partially filled with plaster to support a dummy brass press in cap just to make it look
complete. These are sometimes marked with a registration number. Some examples have a beautifully
painted inscription "Pom Pom" on them. This I have it is a modern (20 years old more or less) addition
and is not original. I have the same number on another early projectile marked M on the base that had a
candle stick attachment. These are Rg. No 357391.
The other type is either a whole projectile or a cutaway on a circular brass base Rg No 355754.
There are likely many other types out there, hand made and commercial like these.
A note of thanks is due to the kind BOCN member who actually went to the trouble of looking
up the actual existing Design Registry books which made this dissertation possible to begin with.
souvenir of the period brought on by the Boer use of the Maxim 1pr. Two different
persons registered designs (sort of a copyright) to it would seem capture the market.
This is odd since neither invented the projectile and could hardly claim it. But they got away with it.
These projectiles were one would presume rejects or obsolete and surplus stock etc.
One type seen now and again is a very early and possible trial type with a large opening where the
fuze normally goes. The reason for the large opening is as yet unknown. These projectiles have a
large wide ribbed area as if it was made to trial different band types. In the souvenir version the
hole is partially filled with plaster to support a dummy brass press in cap just to make it look
complete. These are sometimes marked with a registration number. Some examples have a beautifully
painted inscription "Pom Pom" on them. This I have it is a modern (20 years old more or less) addition
and is not original. I have the same number on another early projectile marked M on the base that had a
candle stick attachment. These are Rg. No 357391.
The other type is either a whole projectile or a cutaway on a circular brass base Rg No 355754.
There are likely many other types out there, hand made and commercial like these.
A note of thanks is due to the kind BOCN member who actually went to the trouble of looking
up the actual existing Design Registry books which made this dissertation possible to begin with.
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