Paper fuses question

[JOHN42768]

What held the fuse in place in the adapter? Was it just a friction fit? Thanks

 

[UCVRelics]

What held the fuse in place in the adapter? Was it just a friction fit? Thanks

Most were tapered so they wedged into the hole.

photo courtesy of Harry Redgeway

 

[redbob]

On 13" mortar balls, a wooden mallet was used to tap them in; but this was usually in iron rounds and the fuses were wooden.

 

[JOHN42768]

OK, thanks. That is what I figured that it was just wedged in, but didn't find it anywhere. I just purchased a Confederate copper adapter recovered from Stone River Battle. Still has part of burnt paper in it. Now I need to find a fuse to display alongside of it.

 

[Rhea Cole]

What held the fuse in place in the adapter? Was it just a friction fit? Thanks

what is a copper adapter?

 

[UCVRelics]

Here is one from my collection. The fuse was inserted in the center hole and being tapered it would be pushed into the hole.

 

[Rhea Cole]

Here is one from my collection. The fuse was inserted in the center hole and being tapered it would be pushed into the hole.
View attachment 376846

I am very familiar with Civil War artillery fuzes. The term "copper adapter" is new to me. What is it?

 

[JOHN42768]

what is a copper adapter?

Recovered from Battle of Stone River. Horse Soldier calls it copper. It may be brass. Not in my hands as yet

 

[UCVRelics]

The CS needed a way to use paper fuse in a variety of different shells and cannon balls. There are quite a few makers of the adapter and I have seen them made of brass, copper, ceramics and wood. Some were longer than others depending on the shell type.

 

[Rhea Cole]

View attachment 376847 Recovered from Battle of Stone River. Horse Soldier calls it copper. It may be brass. Not in my hands as yet View attachment 376848

Thanks I learned something.

 

[JOHN42768]

Just to update. It arrived to day and is solid copper. Question, Did the South make their own paper fuses or were they imported or captured?

 

[UCVRelics]

Just to update. It arrived to day and is solid copper. Question, Did the South make their own paper fuses or were they imported or captured?

They made their own. The paper fuse was EZ compared to the CS making their own Boreman fuse.