Need info on this old artillery ammo

fernando · 14th January 2013, 01:04 PM

This would be a grenade for a 5 1/2" howitzer, those equiping the defence redoubts of the Lisbon protection against the third Napoleonic invasion (1810-11).
I assume this is a rational conclusion, as this bomb came with no ID evidence, but the its caliber and geographic source largely appoints to such direction. There were 5 1/2" howitzers in all countless redoubts and fortifications of this war episode.
Judging by its irregular exterior, it looks more like forged than cast, which i admit to be a nonsense inferrement.
Another surprising (for me) particular is that, its fuse orifice is rather narrow, comparing to the others i have seen, which look like measuring at least the double.
Noteworthy is that its hollow space is not completely empty; probing it with a stick i find that half ot its space has some kind of contents. Its colour looks too light to be explosive, i would say. I have poured out a tiny bit and set fire to it; it hasn't actualy gone aflame, but it didn't remain completely inert, forming a darker and thiker dust, hence giving me an ilusion that it isn't plain earth. It might as well be a mix of both, dust having penetrated through the hole and convering whatever contents is inside.
But my question is more focused on the hole width; does any of the members know how fuse devices functioned those days ? Are they (only) a wood plug containing a (regulable) match cord in a narrow hole ? Why the significant difference in the different grenade hole widths ? Different fuse systems ... narrow ones earlier, large ones later?
Your comments and possible referring illustrations will be appreciated.

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14th January 2013, 01:04 PM	#1
fernando Lead Moderator European Armoury Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Portugal Posts: 9,694	Need info on this old artillery ammo This would be a grenade for a 5 1/2" howitzer, those equiping the defence redoubts of the Lisbon protection against the third Napoleonic invasion (1810-11). I assume this is a rational conclusion, as this bomb came with no ID evidence, but the its caliber and geographic source largely appoints to such direction. There were 5 1/2" howitzers in all countless redoubts and fortifications of this war episode. Judging by its irregular exterior, it looks more like forged than cast, which i admit to be a nonsense inferrement. Another surprising (for me) particular is that, its fuse orifice is rather narrow, comparing to the others i have seen, which look like measuring at least the double. Noteworthy is that its hollow space is not completely empty; probing it with a stick i find that half ot its space has some kind of contents. Its colour looks too light to be explosive, i would say. I have poured out a tiny bit and set fire to it; it hasn't actualy gone aflame, but it didn't remain completely inert, forming a darker and thiker dust, hence giving me an ilusion that it isn't plain earth. It might as well be a mix of both, dust having penetrated through the hole and convering whatever contents is inside. But my question is more focused on the hole width; does any of the members know how fuse devices functioned those days ? Are they (only) a wood plug containing a (regulable) match cord in a narrow hole ? Why the significant difference in the different grenade hole widths ? Different fuse systems ... narrow ones earlier, large ones later? Your comments and possible referring illustrations will be appreciated. . Attached Images