Steve,
I think you are absolutely correct about the installation of the fuzes at the time and place of manufacturing - in Selma at least. I have seen many Bormann fuzed shells recovered from there and now have a 12 lb case shell about to go to the museum there. Ironically, this one (river recovery) is minus the fuze and underplug but contains all the shot. At this point I do not recall having ever seen a known Selma-attributed UNFUZED Bormann shell example other than those recovered from the river there.
This whole discussion raises questions that in some cases seem to have obvious answers;
1) Why ship an "empty" projectile and then charge a shell in the field when it might be or is likely to be required for immediate "application"?
2) Why apply white lead as a sealant (as I recall but may be mistaken about) if the shells are to be used right away?
3) If the projectiles are charged and fuzed, complete with sealant applied (and presumably dried or "cured"), are they not then water resistant, which fact would lend itself to long term storage and quick application?
4) Does the white lead serve, by design, as a sealant for moisture and flame?
5) If applied for flame, why use a product like (white lead), then arguably in limited supply?
6) In my humble opinion, it is likely that the incomplete/unfuzed Bormann examples recovered in Selma were among the many thousands of projectiles disposed of while in the process of assembly by BOTH sides on the occasion of the yankee's approach and following the capture of the city.
Perhaps Steve, E-mike, Bart, Pete, Jack or another of the acknowledged experts can address battlefield or fortifications & other point defense locations with known magazine recoveries that were unfuzed at the time of recovery?
These questions are offered for discussion and stimulation only as I can only address the Selma artifacts that have been shared with me by so many generous collectors (beginning with Steve so many years ago) along the way. To Bart and others to whom this may apply, let me offer my ignorance on the overall subject of projectiles as my only excuse for any gross errors/assumptions in this post.