Bullet and Shell Civil War Projectiles Forum

Relic Discussion => Artillery => Topic started by: 24thMichigan on October 09, 2015, 07:25:11 PM

Title: Watercap Fuses
Post by: 24thMichigan on October 09, 2015, 07:25:11 PM

I'm probably missing something obvious, but why do some watercap fuses have "ORD D" stamped on the top and others have just "ORD?"  Can't find the explanation in the fuse book I have.  Thank you.

Title: Re: Watercap Fuses
Post by: John D. Bartleson Jr. on October 09, 2015, 08:06:22 PM

Probably because they are made by different manufacturers.  stands for Ordnance Department.
JOhn

Title: Re: Watercap Fuses
Post by: CarlS on October 10, 2015, 12:46:22 AM

"D" stands for dud.  It is a  predetermination that the fuse will not work when used.   ;D

Title: Re: Watercap Fuses
Post by: 24thMichigan on October 10, 2015, 01:20:09 AM

Really?

Title: Re: Watercap Fuses
Post by: divedigger on October 10, 2015, 06:42:51 AM

no not really

Title: Re: Watercap Fuses
Post by: CarlS on October 10, 2015, 08:12:38 AM

As DiveDigger said: No.  It was a bad attempt by me at being humorous since I didn't have a good answer for you.  Good question and I don't know and am looking forward to someone who reads this to have an answer.  Thanks for asking.

Title: Re: Watercap Fuses
Post by: 24thMichigan on October 10, 2015, 11:04:37 AM

That was good.  I've looked in all of the books I have and can't find anything about it.

Title: Re: Watercap Fuses
Post by: 6lbgun on October 10, 2015, 12:28:15 PM

Probably because they are made by different manufacturers.  stands for Ordnance Department.
John

   I think John is correct.  One manufacturer stamping ORD for ordnance, and another manufacturer adding a D for department.
Does the separate D show up on a specific year?
Dan

Title: Re: Watercap Fuses
Post by: CarlS on October 10, 2015, 01:08:41 PM

The "D" for Department makes perfect sense.  Now that you mention it I seem to recall having heard that long ago.

Regarding years mine are packed away so I can't say what I have and don't have with a "D".  But the Chuck Jones Book shows a few examples and the ones I can make out clearly are all '63 and '64 versions.

Title: Re: Watercap Fuses
Post by: divedigger on October 10, 2015, 01:28:12 PM

I think all years have it, my 1859, 1861, 1862, 1863, 1864 and the long shank 1863 are marked both ways. I dont have any other years

Title: Re: Watercap Fuses
Post by: 24thMichigan on October 10, 2015, 01:37:34 PM

I did not see a correlation with specific years.