Bullet and Shell Civil War Projectiles Forum
Relic Discussion => Artillery => Topic started by: Ripcon on June 23, 2012, 09:51:03 PM
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I believe I have an artilleryman's hammer. I saw a photo of a like object in Howard Crouch's book, "Civil War Artifacts for the Historian." Has anyone found one like it? What type of field piece would have utilized such a hammer or what type of ordinance would have been associated with this tool?
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Sir:
Large mortar fuses were driven into their shells with some kind of hammer but can't say that I have ever seen one.
Regards,
John
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Unfortunately, our knowledge base on tools is limited. I have been trying to learn as much as possible from whatever sources are out there. One thing I have learned for sure, most of the tools you see on ebay are garbage.
Soon, there will be a new book out with alot of original tools photograhed in it, which will certainely help everyone out. In the meantime, I reference the Mordecai drawings. They have dimensions with each item too, which as Pete says about shells; measure -measure- measure. The Mordecai drawings are in Ripley's fine book Artillery and Ammunitiion of the Civil War in the chapter 'art of the artilleryman' #11. You have this book -right ?? You absolutely should. It's cheap, thorough, and full of useful info [ although some info is 'dated' since the book was published ].
Also, Bob Gregory's beautiful new book, Civil War Ordinance, an Introduction, deals with alot of tools and crates and info galore.
Anyway, back to the two posts above. The Mordecai drawings show the artillery hammer as made of copper, not steel. If it was made of copper, it was meant to be used around live shells or powder or fuzes. I personally have never seen one. Wouldn't think they would last that long in the field. But I bet every wagon had an iron hammer around to fix this and that. That is why I see 'artillery hammers' for sale all the time.
And to answer John's question; there was a wood fuze mallet. I figure this was used for driving the wood paper time fuze adaptors. There was also a tool called a ' fuze setter' which by the nature of the shape and a personal guess, I would say would be made out of brass. My thoughts are this was used to drive both the wood adptors and probably the brass tapered seacost watercap drive fuze. I would also assume that the paper time fuzes were tapped down tightly and set into the adaptor also, be the adaptor made of wood or any of the metals used. I welcome anyone's input or knowledge of the use of these tools, because my comments are my theory
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Is that the correct title of Bob's new book? I can't find it on Amazon.com
John
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Bill,
I looked through my copy of Ripley's book in the section on tools and the only one I could find that looks similar to the one posted is the Cooper's Hammer. (barrell maker)
I am going to guess that fuse mallets were of wood and not metal to prevent over driving and damaging the fuse head, RBL shell wooden fuses had to be hand set to prevent damage to the setback striker.
Regards,
John
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Please pardon the delay in replying. I intended to do it earlier, but was distracted by events on the home front, and then forgot to reply in this discussion.
For a couple of decades, I've been searching for civil war period DOCUMENTATION of the existence of an "artillery hammer" ...but insofar as I am currently aware, no such Documentation has yet surfaced. The only "documentation" is found in latter-20th-century relic books. It sure seems that if there was such a thing as an "artillery hammer" in the civil war era, one would show up in artillery equipment diagrams from that time period ...such as, the Mordecai diagrams.
Of course, there definitely was such a thing as a "fuze mallet." But these all-iron hammers are clearly not a fuze-mallet.
So, I've searched for the actual identity of the antique all-iron hammers which have a wedge shaped head, and usually also have a wedge shape at the end of the hammer's short iron handle. (See the photo attached at the end of this post.) In searching through antique hammer catalogs, I've found two near-exact matches. One is a crate-opener hammer, and the other is a scythe hammer (used to sharpen and straighten the scythe's blade). Of course, a scythe hammer could also be used for straightening a sword's blade. And a crate hammer would be used for opening wooden shipping crates that everything from ammo to hardtack came in. So, the Commisary Dept. and Infantrymen would be using crate hammers, not just Artillerymen.
I should mention that I found a match for Ripcon's hammer ...whose wedge-shaped head has a "vertical" orientation instead of horizontal like on the so-called "artillery hammer" in the photo below Ripcon's hammer is shown in antique hammer catalogs as a Cooper's hammer (wooden barrel maker) ...which matches John Bartleson's ID of it.
In summary I think the most important point is that no wedge-headed all-iron hammer is shown in any civil war era artillery document. Until such civil war era Documentation is provided, I'm going to continue to tell relic-collectors that these "artillery hammers" are misidentified crate-opener hammers and scythe hammers.
Regards,
Pete
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What did the artillerists use? In my 3,800 mile trek of the past two weeks, I picked up this pair in a group out of a very well known location that saw long term defensive occupation. The chisel is 8" long and appears to be made of copper. The "hammer" is actually a little hatchet with a pick on the other side. It is in fact iron.
The tag is tough to read, but the relevant part says, "Hammer and chisel found in the Rebel Ordnance Store of arsenal? ___ ___ my store house for Uncle Frank
Having been gone so long, I am backed up with stuff to do so this is the only picture of them I am going to post.
(http://i1236.photobucket.com/albums/ff458/emike123/DSCN0972.jpg)
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John,
I just spoke with Bob Gregory on the phone about his book. He is sending me out a copy tomorrow. The retail is $49.99
but he is selling me one for the introductory price of $40.00 plus $4.00 shipping. The introductory price will be ending very soon. His number is 615-773-3577. He takes calls between 10am and 6pm Eastern Time. He welcomes orders from the forum members.
Dan
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The same conclusion as Pete's about artillery hammers is also true, in my view, about fuze gimlets. None of the artillery manuels from the 1840s onward mention a fuze gimlet specifically issued by the military. Instead, they reference carpenter's gimlets, of which each caisson carried several. All of the "fuze gimlets" you see are actually just normal carpenter tools, used occasionally by artillery guys to bore fuzes. By the way, the frequent claim that fuze gimlets were used to clear boreholes is wrong, since they are too short.
This is not true of the wire gimlet, which was used to clear boreholes as well as punch powder bags, and which is much longer. Some of these are arsenal marked, at least on the Union side.
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So Scott which tool was used to bore the wooden time fuses used in M.L. shells?
Regards,
John
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What's your view on that?
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My question came first.
John
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john, I am not sure what you are asking. But, if you mean a wooden paper time fuze adaptor, there is a tool used to ream them out with a taper that matches the paper time fuze. Look in Chuck's book, page 157
I believe the modern theory is that the wood sometimes would swell, and the paper time fuze would be hard to install. So a couple twists on the t handle tool would open up the adaptor to accept the time fuze.
Also, somewhere on the forums someone mentioned that the wood adaptor was not drilled all the way through. And the reamer would finish the opening so the paper time fuze could be inserted. But to me, and this is just my opinion, I'm not really buying that, because the tool is made of steel, which could spark. And, in the heat of battle, I can't see someone taking the time to ream out a wood fuze adaptor in the middle of a battle.
I think shells probably came with tow in the wooden fuze adaptor which would keep powder in, and moisture out. Anyone know different ?? Dug a shell not drilled through the adaptor all the way ??
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No Dave, that is not what I meant.
When England sold projectiles, cannons and fuzes/fuses to both the north and south they provided any special tools required to support the ordnance.
I am referring to the wooden time fuse supplied with M.L. projectiles that when fired prevented propellant flames from igniting the fuses.
These fuses had a set back striker that fired a primer which ignited the time fuse.
A fuse Borer was used to bore the fuse through the side to select a specific time. See the below fuse:
Regards,
John
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M.L. = Major League?
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The Boxer fuse shown in John's drawing above is a very, very uncommon fuse type for use in the American Civil War. Apparently some were imported as they made a blockade runner's manifest, but I am not aware of any battlefield recoveries in shells or even of the brass top piece.
Because they are so uncommon, I am not sure anyone in American Civil War circles knows what the special tool for punching in the holes in the side was. John, perhaps one of your colleagues over on the British projectiles forum does as they are British and saw wider use there, especially after our Civil War ended.
All this said, the holes in the sides are already started as your drawing shows so it would not take an auger to punch them. It looks to me like a nail or small diameter punch would suffice.
David provided the answer I was thinking of (prior to John clarifying that he meant the Boxer) for the several million times more common wood fuse adapters that saw widespread use in the American Civil War.
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Muzzle Loading
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John, beautiful renedering of a very rare fuze. Nice work !!
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Thanks Dave and Mike,
I didn't mean to imply that particular fuse was used, only that type. The same type of adjustable time wooden fuses were also employed like the ones shown below for smoothbore shells.
The common 'hook borer' was used to select the desired time.The outer reference holes were filled with clay to allow the boring bit to center itself before being clamped. An awl or nai,l as Mike suggested, could not be used as the bit had to penetrate the center powder core. The hook borer is shown below. My only purpose was to illustrate how English wooden time fuses (and metal ones) had its time selected.
Regards,
John
(http://i1069.photobucket.com/albums/u465/jbart2/04167d29.jpg)
(http://i1069.photobucket.com/albums/u465/jbart2/96c07cdb.jpg)
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So, it was a trick question that only you knew the answer to!
Interesting stuff. Are you aware of any confirmed battlefield use of this fuse in the US?
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Mike,
Certainly not. Perhaps my original question did not contain enough info for members to reply.
Initially I thought the hook borer was common knowledge among older collectors/historians. We learn something new each day.
John
P.s. I have photo proof of the naval metal time fuses but surely most wooden fuses would have rotted or lost in a shell explosion. I find it hard, however, to think that the English didn't supply wooden time fuses with their shells. If only percussion fuzes were sold to us there would be no time option and no I know of no such recoveries.
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Sorry, I must apologize for again mixing different subjects under one topic.
John
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This kind of gimlet is what I was referring to - all of them are carpenter's tools. I don't think any were military issue.
http://www.ebay.com/itm/civil-war-cannon-gunners-GIMLET-artillerymans-vent-pick-implement-/150857038015?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item231fc7b8bf
http://www.ebay.com/itm/vintage-hand-tool-gimlet-auger-boring-gunners-spike-steel-handle-cannon-/370585716596?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item5648a14774
Please note the nonsensical claim that this short gimlet was "used for clearing the vent hole & punching a path into the powder bag."
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right Scott, I knew what you were referring to. that tool may have well been used by the gunner but it is nothing more than a carpenter's gimlet or hand forer and seldom used by today's shop woodworkers.
I had hoped to show the members what a real fuse borer looked like. If they were used in this country has yet to be proven. -30-
John
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There was a special tool for boring out a fuse to reduce it's burning time. It was called a fuse auger. It had a bit of .2 inch (13/64) diameter with a sliding brass socket graduated to 10ths of an inch, held by a thumb screw in the side, with a wooden handle. This tool is shown in Mordecai's drawings.
From what I can find the Fuze Gimlet was a common gimlet (nothing special) .2in diameter used for boring across the composition of the fuse to reduce it's time instead of sawing off the fuse. I haven't found any tool used for extracting a fuse plug.
Hope this helps.
Dan
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Dan,
Unless this borer, you mentioned, placed a hole through the side of the fuse below the fuse hole and into the powder chamber, the flash would have dead ended against the side of the fuse hole, particularly in mortar shellswhich had thick walls. Thus, the reason for the fuse saw. There was only one central powder core in our fuses. You can look at my color plates and understand why the Brits bored through marked positions on the side. The side chambers held pistol powder so when the central core burned down to the drilled hole it flashed the pistol powder which immediately flashed down into the main shell filler. Hopefully my drawings illustrate their function without a lot of explaination.
Regards,
John
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Scott,
Here is a set of carpenter's gimlets.
http://www.garrettwade.com/product.asp?pn=37J03.04&SID=W6071001&gclid=CLis2LGBjrICFQWCQgodyRkAXw
John
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6LB GUN, there is a tool designed for extracting wood fuze plugs. Actually there are 2 types. Again, Mordecai drawings, page 227 of Ripley's book, second row, first item labeled " shell plug extractor'.
Then also top row center - a big wine cork like tool. Cool story here about this item...... a buddy of mine was studying these drawings and getting familiar with these oddball items. Well, damn, low and behold the next week he went to a flea market and found one of these shell extractors !! Needless to say, I was blown away when he put it in my hands. But of course - not for sale. But truthfully, he says he has put it in his will for me because he knows how bad I want it !! Someday........
Also, same page are a multitude of 'official' gimlets and the copper artillery hammer mentioned way back in this thread. And of course, the portfire cutter I desperately seek for my collection too...
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John,
I understand you drawing without further explanation. My post was in reference to a gimlet that was specifically called a Fuse Gimlet The use of the fuse gimlet was directly taken from the 1862 CS Field Manual for The Use of the Officers on Ordnance Duty. It does not state whether this is pertaining to wooden large caliber fuses or field projectiles with the paper fuse and fuse plug. It was the definition given for "Fuse Gimlet"
Dan
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Dave,
This is my understanding of the tools you pointed out in Mordecai's drawing. The item Fuse Extractor would be used to extract the fuse itself not the fuse plug. The other item, Shell Plug Screw is something I'm not 100% sure of. Since the names given to implements seem to be very explicit (FUSE extractor, FUSE auger, FUSE setter, FUSE gimlet, etc) I don't feel that the Shell plug screw has anything to do with fuses. If I remember correctly, Abbot talk about mortar shells being filled in the siege lines. To protect in interior of the shells I feel that they were shipped with a wooden plug sealing the fuse hole. The shape and type of screw threads (deep and sharp) on the Shell Plug Screw are made for screwing to a piece of wood. The large ring to grab hold of would be great for pulling out the plug. I'll have to get back into Abbot and refresh my old memory. The use of the Shell plug screw is conjecture on my part. Sooner or later I'll find out for sure. Just a matter of time.
Best wishes,
Dan
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Dave,
Found the use of the Shell Plug Screw in Mordecai's 1849 Artillery for Land Service of the US.
"Shell plug screw: It is made of iron, and used for extracting the corks or wooden plugs with which fuze holes are stopped"
Dan