Anybody know what this is?

Anybody know what this is? I got it in a trade and the person who traded it to me told me it was timer for a WWII or WWI bomb or depth charge but I don't know (and he wasn't sure either). The only writing on it "Patented Feb 25, 1868" and another date below it of "Dec 22, 1874". It is quite heavy for it's size. The mechanism can be wound up and it then winds down and sounds like an egg timer (gears spinning sound). The bottom cap can be removed and there are a lot of very sophisticated gears in it like a watch (they move when it winds down). I did not try to take the main portion of it apart. I just joined the forum and I have some collectible WWII stuff but I have never seen anything like this before. I assumed some the many members on here may have an idea of what this might be. I'll post some photos of it on here and see what you guys think.

 

Is it just me or does the front end ( not the mechanism side.) of this thing looks like it is meant to connect to something else ?
I wonder what it is? what it is made of?

The first time a depth charge was made was in 1914 according to the research I have done it was detonated by A hydrostatic pistol not a Winding mechanism.

some other things to note.
The first air-dropped bomb from an aircraft was in 1 November 1911 ( 4 grenades)
The first bomb dropped from the air was attached to a balloon. in 1849.

 

Is there any nomenclature on it at all. That might help a lot.
Also if you could perhaps post the pictures seperatly. It's doing weird things to the screen formating as is.

 

It almost looks like part of one of those old 'wind up' dolls....the part you turn sticking out of their back...which is apparently hard to find using google.



Something like that.

 

Hi

From the pictures of the thing, hard to say. It reminds a bit of a mine, the screw/wings is/are for connection to other similar mines. An early version of a troop mine. Activated by the wire, the construction was used in Vietnam as well. These nasty things, which pops up and BANG!
Can ruin a day.

have a nice day

Machiavelli

 

My guess is that it's an arming component from some sort of naval mine. The timer is set so that the ship laying the mine can safely get away before the mine becomes armed. That would match the date well, since naval mines were just becoming popular in that period.

 

I was thinking depth charge arming device?

 

How big is it? Take a picture of it with something we all can relate to, a match box, a cig, your watch, a credit card (hide the number)

take care

Machiavelli

 

I agree with you I think it is part of a mine .
I think the pics are a bit deceiving It look huge .
what are the measurements?

 

It's about 4 inches in length and about 2 inches in diameter and probably weighs about a pound.

 

I think it is the Arming or Depth setting mechanism for a depth charge early WW2 or Pre WW2.

This is the direction I am going:

Depth Charges, Mark 6, Mark 6 Mod. 1, Mark 7, Mark 7, Mod. 1

Depth Charge, Mark 9 and Modifications

Navy Documents

or maybe a torpedo...........looks Naval to me..........sailors like shiny brass stuff.

 

I think the end cap might be just a dust cover with a weap hole in the end to prevent moisture.

 

I am thinking it would act as an arming device or depth setting tool. It is smilar looking to this :

​

Depth Charges, Mark 6, Mark 6 Mod. 1, Mark 7, Mark 7, Mod. 1 - PART 3

From the Mk6 Mod6 Depth Charge and may be the predecessor to this type of arming device.

Didn't we just get a new Sailor ? he should be piping in on this.​

 

I think it would have been removed prior to the torpedo or depth charge being launched. The two eyelets may have been used to index the tool in an opening and to keep the tool from spinning while winding up what ever it wound.

Brad