3 Inch British mortar bomb with strange Collar ring

[Draoich]

Hi,
I was looking at some photos of a 3 Inch British mortar bomb that I took when visiting a National Trust property some years ago. The ring mounted on the top of the fuze well puzzles me. Can anyone tell me what it is?

Draoich

 

[spotter]

Bakelite transit plug

 

[BMG50]

I agree as well, can be brass, mazak, as well a bakalite.

 

[Draoich]

Hi,
I was looking at some photos of a 3 Inch British mortar bomb that I took when visiting a National Trust property some years ago. The ring mounted on the top of the fuze well puzzles me. Can anyone tell me what it is?

DraoichView attachment 201146

 

[Draoich]

Thank you Spotter and BMG50,

for clearing up that puzzle!

Draoich

 

[Bombdoc]

Never seen transit plugs like that in service. Mortar bombs were normally stored and issued fuzed. Artillery shell was often issued plugged as there were a number of fuzes that could be used. Large calibre BL shell was also issued loose with a grommet around the driving band and a plug to stop the fuze being damaged in transit. Very large shell had plugs with lifting rings to allow slinging. Field Artillery gun crews were large enough and trained to fit fuzes. Infantry mortar crews were smaller and expected their ammo to come out the box "Ready to use".

I suspect they were mostly used within the Ordnance Factories such as Chorley to prevent stuff getting in to the fuze cavity between process operations. Military plugs are usually fitted tight and need a spanner to open them.. these plastic ones are clearly designed to be open and closed by hand...

 

[TimG]

@Draoich
If you are refering to the metal ring sandwiched between the red filling ring and the castellated plug - that is a fuze adapter.

@Bombdoc
Undoubtley before your time but pre-war and early war (at least) 3" and 4.2" could be supplied plugged.

The "Plugs, fuze-hole, 1.375-inch" to be used in place of fuzes are :-
No. 3 in place of fuze No. 139 or 139P
No. 4 in place of fuze No. 138
No. 5 in place of fuze No. 150
No. 6 in place of fuze No. 152 or 152A

TimG

 

[Draoich]

@Draoich
If you are refering to the metal ring sandwiched between the red filling ring and the castellated plug - that is a fuze adapter.

@Bombdoc
Undoubtley before your time but pre-war and early war (at least) 3" and 4.2" could be supplied plugged.

The "Plugs, fuze-hole, 1.375-inch" to be used in place of fuzes are :-
No. 3 in place of fuze No. 139 or 139P
No. 4 in place of fuze No. 138
No. 5 in place of fuze No. 150
No. 6 in place of fuze No. 152 or 152A

TimG

Hi TimG,

Thank you for information on the fuze plugs which is very informative. In relation to the fuze adapter ring, I was not referring to that but rather to the castellated object which has since been identified as a plug type.

Regards,

Draoich