To All Interested;
Thanks to Col. John Biemick, USA(ret) we have the answer to a long time question - what was the purpose of the threaded side hole in an armor piercing projectile?
Basically to have a time fuze, let alone a feze located in the side of a projectile is not a recognized position for a fuze in an armor piercing shell. Normally they are fitted with a base fuze to protect it on impact and to allow a slight delay to permit the shell to enter the target before detonating.
The heat generated by impact with armor plate. in this shell, will cause ignition of the black powder filler.
The purpose then for the Naval Water Cap fuse must be as a self destruct feature to protect other friendly vessels, should it miss its intended target. The side threads match the water cap threads perfectly.
Regards,
John aka Bart
