Deus II, 1862 naval fuse plug

[jayhop]

I got lucky this morning. I had dug a few shell fragments that gave high tones, but I kept at it. I was actually heading back to the truck because I was about worn-out.
I got a deep high tone mixed with iron. I worked on this hole probably 45 minutes. Finally, at a measured 22 inches I hit a shell fragment. I thought I had been fooled again. After retrieving the fragment, I swung over the hole again.
There was the high tone that had stopped me to begin with. I knew what it was so I dug carefully, and discovered a 1862 naval fuse plug. It was a day maker for me. It was at 18 inches. I put the fragment back in the hole for the picture.

 

[IDXMonster]

I have no idea what that is but…holy &#$*!! That’s some perseverance right there!

 

[jayhop]

I have no idea what that is but…holy &#$*!! That’s some perseverance right there!

It's a fuse from a Union Dahlgren naval shell. I've attached a picture that shows how it was used.
She'll in the image isn't mine.

 

[IDXMonster]

It's a fuse from a Union Dahlgren naval shell. I've attached a picture that shows how it was used.
She'll in the image isn't mine.

Very cool! So there was some sort of tool used to turn the fuse and arm it?

 

[Confetrit]

Jayhop, Congrat's on a Great Save of some CW History with the Naval Artillery Fire and the shell frag's. A very nice addition to your collection.

 

[IDXMonster]

I actually read up on it a bit and see how they work, it just screws in apparently and the timing is mechanically set by fuse length…is this correct? If so, seems kinda dangerous!

 

[jayhop]

I actually read up on it a bit and see how they work, it just screws in apparently and the timing is mechanically set by fuse length…is this correct? If so, seems kinda dangerous!

I think the timing was set by punching one of those holes, so that the flame from the powder charge in the cannon could reach the powder in the fuse. There were fuses that had paper that was cut to different lengths to determine the timing.