Unusual 20mm Oerlikon fuze

[Rrickoshae]

Please see photos, 3 items that came from the same source, 20mm Oerlikon, Hispano with sectioned striker fuze and plate testing proj. - the latter two having BMARCo cases.
However, it is the fuze for the Oerlikon that is unusual as is the headstamp. The headstamp shows T32 Oe 41A 39 - who is the manufacturer?

The fuze for this round is unusual in that it has a striker (which was loose in the proj) and a rotating barrel which might be a safety feature of some sort.

any thoughts would be appreciated please

many thanks, Dave

 

[Rrickoshae]

The AI web suggests that the T32 is an American trials number for 20mm Oerlikon but then remains quiet on what sort of trial. Perhaps it was the unusual fuze that was on trial. can any of our colonial friends add anything more?

tia, Dave

 

[bdgreen]

US experimental cartridges with a T32 number.

 

[Rrickoshae]

US experimental cartridges with a T32 number.

That’s excellent thank you. That confirms from a human source what AI says!
Most probably points to the fuze being the trial item as the case and proj. body seem standard.

 

[ron3350]

The maker A looks like Altdorf, Switzerland to me. Interesting fuze and headstamp.

 

[Rrickoshae]

That would make sense - Swiss supplied cases. I’m assuming that the rotating barrel was part of a ‘bore safe’ trial

 

[Alpini]

The official Oerlikon Swiss-German designation was "Vorrohrsicherer Rotorzünder" (pre bore safe rotor fuze). It should have been sold also to other European countries. These were found in Germany too on places where captured ammunition was dismantled. It should date around the 1930's

 

[Rrickoshae]

The official Oerlikon Swiss-German designation was "Vorrohrsicherer Rotorzünder" (pre bore safe rotor fuze). It should have been sold also to other European countries. These were found in Germany too on places where captured ammunition was dismantled. It should date around the 1930's

Oh well done Alpini, that is really excellent info and I can now see where the striker fits in! Thank you very much indeed
atb, Dave