Nigel_Aspdin
New Member
Posted here is a photo of a small brass item, and part of a letter which MAY relate to it (certainly it was from the same person).
The letter dated June 7 1917, from France, from a MCG officer, reads:
...."am having a paper weight sent you made from the safety catch of a
Hun Field Gun which we came in touch with, it is not finished off yet but
will keep..."
The top of the item has a distinct appearance it is to be hit by a striker pin.
The top section cylinder is sprung loaded and will push down.
In the cone (not visible in this photo) is a smaller disc attached to the sprung loaded top section cylinder, and this seals the top cylinder from the space in the cone, until the top section cylinder is depressed/struck. So if the cone contained, say, a propellant it would be ignited by a small detonator firing in the top cylinder section.
Does anyone have any ideas?
I may be able to help one stage further. I have a steel case which is marked with german field gun markings, likely to have been acquired at the same time. It likely held loose small components for the field gun. The officer used it for his own possessions having painted his own name on it. I can't find the photo at present, but if anyone can make a start on identification of this small item it may then be possible to link it to a particular field gun type.
Thanks
Nigel
