Shrapnel Fuse Identification

[Jimmykoystix]

 

[Jimmykoystix]

On a recent walk on Fleetwood beach I found the following items which I believe are parts from a shrapnel shell circa 1880’s. The 2 larger brass parts have RL marking which I think indicates Royal Laboratory Woolwich. I also believe the markings 10/90 and 3/81 are the dates when either the part was made or recalibrated, can anybody confirm this or not. Plus what are the parts. The shrapnel ball is 25g and is metric 16.7mm diameter. I believe the 2 larger brass parts are part of the timing fuse used for artillery shells, but I’m not sure of this. Can anybody confirm what’s these parts are and were they all part of the same shell. Plus on a safety note is the timing fuse still armed?

 

[MINENAZ16]

The first (RL II) is : fuze percussion Royal Laboratory Plain Mark II (N° 7)
No idea for the second (larger piece). Something like gaine adapter.

 

[Jimmykoystix]

The first (RL II) is : fuze percussion Royal Laboratory Plain Mark II (N° 7)
No idea for the second (larger piece). Something like gaine adapter.

Thanks for that, so it’s definitely part of a percussion fuze and not a timer?. Plus have got got any further info. on the percussion fuze eg drawings or manual?

 

[MINENAZ16]

Royal Laboratory Mark II 1883

Hi All My latest acquisition a 'Royal Laboratory’s II percussion fuze' dated June 1883. apart from the images below that's all I know about the fuze, if anyone could provide any further documentation or information about this fuze it would be greatly appreciated.

www.bocn.co.uk

 

[wingsofwrath]

This exact percussion fuze was also used by Romania for our Armstrong 63mm (2.5-in) Model 1883 mountain guns. It was known as "Percussion Fuze model 1881".
It's interesting to note that there are a few differences between the British RL II, the m.1881 as it appears in the manual and ground-dug versions, namely the RL fuze has a big square cutout, the Romanian manual version has a big round cutout, whereas the ground-dug version dispenses with the cutout altogether and has a small plug over the hole through which the firing pin has been inserted into the body of the fuze.

 

[TED]

This exact percussion fuze was also used by Romania for our Armstrong 63mm (2.5-in) Model 1883 mountain guns. It was known as "Percussion Fuze model 1881".
It's interesting to note that there are a few differences between the British RL II, the m.1881 as it appears in the manual and ground-dug versions, namely the RL fuze has a big square cutout, the Romanian manual version has a big round cutout, whereas the ground-dug version dispenses with the cutout altogether and has a small plug over the hole through which the firing pin has been inserted into the body of the fuze.

The dug fuze that you show looks more like the Armstrong Bolt percussion fuze on the british fuze list as No 1

 

[TED]

The dug fuze that you show looks more like the Armstrong Bolt percussion fuze on the british fuze list as No 1

Should just have one small hole in side of head for the fuze key, pin to engage in.

 

[TED]

View attachment 195605View attachment 195606View attachment 195607

Bottom left on this page is a bronze stud from an RML projectile, has the date of shell manufacture on it. Projectile loaded from muzzle; studs engage three or more deep rifling grooves in barrel.