Unknown brass gaine/exploder/smoke box?

[Darkman]

I picked up this brass item recently along with a few other things. I'm not sure if it's a gaine, exploder or a smoke box. It's 3.5 inches long and the tube is 1 inch diameter. The threaded section is 2 inches in diameter and srews nicely into a 2 inch shell thread (2" x 14 TPI - shown screwed upside down into an 18 pdr HE shell), so presumably it's British. The only markings on it are "M&P". I have no idea what it is and what shell it's for, so I would really appreciate any ideas.

Thanks, Graeme

 

[doctor]

Hi
Use under fuze for Trench mortar Bomb 2 inch, 6 inch and also 9,45 inch to receive cartridge exploder

 

[Depotman]

Agreed - I have one received with my WW1 4" Trench Mortar bomb. Depotman

 

[Darkman]

Thanks Doctor and Depotman, much appreciated!

 

[Snufkin]

Drawing of a 6-in bomb, with instructions for insertion.

M&P is May and Padmore Ltd, B'ham.



Tom.