U.S. Absterdam Shells and Fuzes;

[John D. Bartleson Jr.]

To All Interested;
      I am adding this color plate to go hand in hand with the previous post on the Absterdam Fuze.  These drawings were made directly off the patent drawings.
      During the moat clean out of Fort monroe I saw for an instant as the shells were being placed into oil filled barrels, a 3 inch diameter shell like the Absterdam with the brass forward bearing band.
      This could be another case where a shell model is manufactured and issued prior to the patent being issued.
Regards,
John aka Bart
    P.S.  
 Mike is there any evidence of a forward band recess on your frags or don't they extend far enough down   the side?

[emike123]

John:

I do not see any evidence of the band recess on these frags.

I should be getting a 4.5" Absterdam from very near the area you mention within a week and will post it up when I do.

[John D. Bartleson Jr.]

Mike,
Thanks, I wonder what other shells have a fuze well having the Absterdam fuze diameter and TPI?
Perhaps Pete knows.
Regards,
John