Comments for A Labor Day Whatziss

A Labor Day Whatziss

2010-09-05T15:10:56Z

Since Labor Day Weekend sucks and I'm in a foul mood (the Auld Soldier died this time last year, and I just had to kill Cleo this year) I'm going to take it out on you guys with a Castle Argghhh! Armorer's Classic pull-the-wing-off-the-fly kind of Whatziss.

There ya go. Scale and everything. But wait! There's more! To forestall some of the usual whinging... here's a picture of all the component parts. So, Whatziss?

Comment from Casey on 2010-09-06

2010-09-06T07:26:12Z

It's some sort of fuze-setting device,and I'm sure I' ve seen it in the Castle before. Rich Walden presents a plausible case, but I'm not sure he's in the gold.

From the machining, it looks more modern than the late 19th century; like something to set time delay or more likely altitude settings for flak.

Comment from gunnerMk42 on 2010-09-06

2010-09-06T07:17:17Z

A civil war era artillery time fuse. I believe the fuse is inside the lead coil, and you punch the hole through the time mark on the brass cover to puncture the lead liner. This is right at the bottom end of my range (pun intended), time wise, of my study area (ordnance), primary is WWII to modern.

Comment from og on 2010-09-05

2010-09-06T01:52:47Z

BTW, the origin of the term "fuse" is the same as the origin of the term "fusee" both of which are cone shaped devices, one for regulating clocks, and the other for blowin' stuff up.

Comment from og on 2010-09-05

2010-09-06T01:45:05Z

it's not a trick, the "components' picture just doesn't have the business end, is all, and of course the incorrect assembly doesn't help. It's a french timed fuse, I think 1913

http://www.passioncompassion1418.com/decouvertes/english_fusees_collection_fr.html#Fus3055Mod89

Comment from embycil on 2010-09-05

2010-09-06T01:44:25Z

Hardware store yardstick? Much rarer than the fuse gauge type thingy as Mom broke most of the yardsticks across my "lower back".

Comment from Navig8r on 2010-09-05

2010-09-06T01:26:06Z

Since I don't count myself among those overqualified to answer this, I would say that it is just about the right size for the innards of a VT fuse for an 8 inch howitzer round.

Comment from Rich Walden on 2010-09-05

2010-09-06T00:16:15Z

Time delay fuze using a pyro train. An awl type trool was used to perforate an inner seal through one of the numbered holes. the pyro train was ignited by blowby gases as the shell left the muzzle. Not absolutley sure of the date but probably late Civil War Union forces. 1864?

Comment from Justthisguy on 2010-09-05

2010-09-05T23:21:46Z

I don't see any room for pyro stuff in that thing. I think it's nerdier than that. I see numbers, but I don't see clockwork.

Beats the hell outta me.

Comment from Argent on 2010-09-05

2010-09-05T22:29:36Z

Field expedient thimble.

Use of dissimilar metals violates my corrosion principles.

I also think Terrapod is partway there. I think the fuse threads into the hole and down the middle to ignite what? I suspect it's reusable.

Cheap wodden ruler without blue Quality paint.

Waitaminit. You provided scale. It's a trick!. It's Loaded... run for the hills.

Comment from skip on 2010-09-05

2010-09-05T21:02:12Z

Axle spindle for a '31 Ford?
Or a fuse. Maybe. Or not.

Comment from Barb on 2010-09-05

2010-09-05T20:07:02Z

Hmmm, maybe Terrapod is onto something. How 'bout you use this to measure the cord, but it doesn't stay wrapped around this while burning? Have no idea why all the holes in that case, though.

Comment from Terrapod on 2010-09-05

2010-09-05T20:02:04Z

Timed fuze using slow burning cord. Wrap the cord to the desired time mark ( presume it is seconds). What beats me is how you keep the sparks from jumping to a lower tier and how it is set (lit) when attached to the explosive device. I think it is for a sapper maybe circa 1800, not for cannon.

Comment from Fishmugger on 2010-09-05

2010-09-05T19:37:23Z

Oh great...properly assembled would make it So much easier.

Are we ever going to do airplane recognition flash cards? I was good at that. Foxbat, Flogger, Fungus, Foosball. All those.

Comment from og on 2010-09-05

2010-09-05T18:53:27Z

it might be easier to understand if it was assembled properly.

Comment from Neffi on 2010-09-05

2010-09-05T18:19:49Z

Me too also knows it... through probably not wot *size* it fits...

Comment from eric on 2010-09-05

2010-09-05T17:04:30Z

it's shiny and you can blow up stuff with it. what else does a man need? looks like a timer fuse thingy for an aa gun grenade. so it must be a valve of a hummer engine. i really suck at these contests.

Comment from Fishmugger on 2010-09-05

2010-09-05T16:52:30Z

A vertical cribbage scoreboard.

Or a dart holder.

Is the missing 5 1/8 inches significant? Most of the time I start at 0 when I measure something. It still doesn't fit but I get closer then 5 1/8 inches.

Comment from rikkochet on 2010-09-05

2010-09-05T16:29:37Z

I also refuse to say what it is - I have a picture of it in one of my books.

As for what it fits, I don't know.

Comment from Barb on 2010-09-05

2010-09-05T16:28:26Z

It's a beehive for tiny bees!

Comment from Guido Sarducci on 2010-09-05

2010-09-05T16:28:20Z

60 mm mortar fuse?

Comment from Pogue on 2010-09-05

2010-09-05T16:16:12Z

Ooo, ooo, I know, I know! I'll shut up now so everyone can have some fun... After all there's a time for everything.