Schenkl fuse found yesterday....

[fwcrawford]

I found this "schenkl" fuse yesterday while hunting around an old home site.
I wasn't sure what it was and thought maybe it was some kind of fuse, but kind of dismissed it due to where I found it.
I don't know of any activity that went on at this location during the civil war
and it is a mystery how this came to be at this site.
Just thought I'd post a photo in case some you chance across one like I did,
you will recognize what it is.
If you look carefully, you may be able to make out the writing on the flange: J.P. SCHENKL PAT. OCT. 16 1861.
This part screwed in the tip of a shell and when the shell hit something the percussion fuse would ignite the main charge and the shell would explode and disperse its contents at the enemy.
Thanks for looking,
Felix

 

[RJH02]

Nice find and maybe another CW relic will show up there too.

 

[Eric Willoughby]

It doesnt have to be from a major battlefield, just dropped along the way to one. Excellent find!!

 

[Woodland Detectors]

Good eye!

Nice save

 

[Charlene]

Nice find!

 

[spitfire55]

 

[fwcrawford]

Here's a link to a site that shows a very good photo of the shell with the fuse installed and shows the cross section of the fuse.

http://www.civilwarartillery.com/projectiles/halfshells/IIA15.htm
Felix