What in the world is this?

[isabella1]

I believe it's made out of copper. There are no marks on it whatsoever. My mother has it so I am not able to take more pictures of it right now.

 

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[Henry2]

Looks like a torpedo, I'm wondering if the base is an actual part of one and the top is just to show what it is.

 

[frankendime]

A little more info please. Whats it attached to? How big is it? Something...

 

[isabella1]

4 1/2 lbs and 5 " wide at base by 4" high. The hook part on top opens up or flips over. Ill get a picture of that tomorrow.

 

[billn1956]

I was going to guess cig, lighter

 

[vpnavy]

Bring on more pictures - very interesting find...

 

[diggummup]

Looks like a "trench art" something. Are you sure it's copper and not brass? Should sell well.

 

[isabella1]

It may be brass. My father said he thinks it is

 

[isabella1]

Here is a picture of the top opened up. For the clip on top. I'm not really sure what to call it

 

[jerseyben]

I am almost certain it is a cig lighter.

 

[GibH]

It is a lighter. It's missing a wick and thumbwheel.

 

[Doubter in MD]

I think it's a cigarette lighter too. It appears to come apart. Have you tried to take it apart?

 

[GibH]

The wick would go under the snuffer where it closes and a thumbwheel like this would go into where the other hole is.

 

[isabella1]

Do you think it's worth anything?

 

[GibH]

If it were complete probably about $50 on ebay.

 

[twiasp]

Wow i was totally off, i was going to take a stab in the dark and say it looked like the guts of an old record player hahahaha. Never seen the guts of one but was going to be a "stab"

 

[DizzyDigger]

Isabella: I believe what you have there is a very early version of an "explode on impact"
ordinance fuse. I've added a bit of text to your pic to point out the components. Basically, you
place a primer over the nipple, then close that cap over the top. The cap should have
a "firing pin" of sorts inside, as that is what strikes the primer, setting off the fuse
charge, which in turn causes the main charge of explosives to detonate.



They would screw it on the torpedo or bomb when readying it for fire, point it at the
enemy or drop from plane and let 'er rip, hoping it lands where you wanted it to.

And yes, I think to the right collector, once authenticated, that it would certainly
be worth your time to investigate further.

Simple and effective...so long as you hit what you were aiming at.

If there is a military museum anywhere in your region, then I would take
it there and have their experts ID the model for you. I could be wrong,
but it's definitely worth checking out.

 

[GibH]

I agree it started out life as part of ordinance, but still say trench art table lighter. It wouldn't be the first time I've been wrong though.

 

[isabella1]

Isabella: I believe what you have there is a very early version of an "explode on impact"
ordinance fuse. I've added a bit of text to your pic to point out the components. Basically, you
place a primer over the nipple, then close that cap over the top. The cap should have
a "firing pin" of sorts inside, as that is what strikes the primer, setting off the fuse
charge, which in turn causes the main charge of explosives to detonate.

<img src="http://www.treasurenet.com/forums/attachment.php?attachmentid=850856"/>

They would screw it on the torpedo or bomb when readying it for fire, point it at the
enemy or drop from plane and let 'er rip, hoping it lands where you wanted it to.

And yes, I think to the right collector, once authenticated, that it would certainly
be worth your time to investigate further.

Simple and effective...so long as you hit what you were aiming at.

If there is a military museum anywhere in your region, then I would take
it there and have their experts ID the model for you. I could be wrong,
but it's definitely worth checking out.

I guess we will find out today! There is an airshow where my parents are and they took my grandfather yesterday was a World War II his uniform and he got to sit in an old bomber. There are people there from museums and she's going to take it there to see what it is! Here is a picture if my grandpa.



Wish I was there with them!

 

[isabella1]

Alright so they found out at the air show that it is the fuse for a Mark 14 torpedo. They are pretty rare possibly one-of-a-kind. The guy who was in charge of the show took a picture of it and her name and phone number. He said he has a specialist who collects the stuff and he would be calling her After they found out more information about!!! I would say that's a pretty cool find!