1890's 6" Mark IV BL Projectile Time Fuse

[Dronic69]

Fellow Fusiers,

Here's a 1891 time fuse from a 6" Mark IV BL gun projectile.

These guns were used at Fort Kissing Pt, in Townsville (QLD) for coastal defense against a "potential" Russian invasion back then.

As per normal Military Surplus policy once the guns became obsolete - dump everything at sea >>> BUT as Fort Kissing point is situated on a cliff headland, the surplus fuses were just tossed over the cliff (explains the hulky green colour!!!!)

Fortunately, during the low spring tides, access to the bottom is quite accessible for the locals.....this is one of about 6 that were recovered.

Perhaps someone can advise the actually Fuse No???
Only markings are:
The date (8/91);
The "50" stamped above the date
A "M18" on the body
The usual "R^L"
Thanks
cheers
Drew

[lcn]

Hi Drew
It's a No. 24 (fuze time sensitive meddle )1897-1920 or a No23. (fuze time sensitive long) 1887-1912. The two fuzes are strictly identical, they armed the How Star shells for ,5.4-5-inch and 6 inch – inch
Attached is a diagram of no24 (treatise on ammunition 1902)

au revoir
Jean Paul

[Dronic69]

Bonjour Jean-Paul,

Merci beaucoup!!!

Your diagram looks very familiar and I suspect that I had research this fuse a long time ago and have "misplaced" the paperwork since then!

Cheers
Drew

[EOD]

Outstanding find Dronic!

[HAZORD]

Yes, an extremely beautiful fuze! Excellent find!

[Dronic69]

Thank guys!
Yes I was very fortunate - even more fortunate that I also have one of the "sibblings" as well, perhaps a little more knock around, but still in quite reasonable condition considering that it has been underwater for a while.

Here a couple more pic with a No56 MkIV for size comparison - interesting there's only 4 years difference between them!

Enjoy!
Cheers
Drew

BTW - Humm, I'm kind of glad that the army didn't have a recycle program back then.....but how much stuff have they "wasted" over the years!!!!

[dano1917]

Great stuff Drew, I love those early fuzes. Keep 'em coming. Would be obliged if you would photograph all your fuzes together......Dano

[John D. Bartleson Jr.]

Handsome fuzes there Drew. Are there even earlier models located in your trove?
John

[Dronic69]

Hey Dan,

Don't panic it's on the "to do" list - a lot of them are still "packed away" and slowly getting them out.
I'm thinking to start with "group" shots i..e

WW1 German
WW2 German
WW2 US
French WW1 (although there's only two of them from memory!)
WW2 Japanese
British pre/post war

You get the idea.............

Here's most of the Pre-WW1 (shown)
From L to R:

1) 1891 6' Mark IV BL projectile Time fuse;
2) No56 Mk IV Time & Percussion fuse (1895)
3) No56 Mk IV Time & Percussion fuse + projectile adaptor(1901)
4) No? Time & Percussion variation (1903)
5) Later No 56 variation with extra time ring to increase time
function from 18 sec up to 44 secs. (1904 period)
6) No60c with extra time ring to increase time up to 44sec (1902-1904 multiple date stamps))

>>> Just missing the M.75 time & percussion fuses which are on another thread & the Civil War Paper fuses
Cheers
Drew


Have added the 8 sec & 5 sec Civil War period blackpower paper fuses.

(Yes they are "INERT" - have been chemically treated)

[dano1917]

Hi Drew, I will be chomping at the bit until I see those WWI German fuzes in picture(s). I am sure there is a collector or two in here waiting as well. Happy unpacking......Dano