Navy Copper Shell Funnel, 1892

by John L. Morris

During the 19th C., US Navy ships carried explosive shells for guns that could fire them.  Shells were often carried loaded with their “bursting charge” and fuzed with fuzes providing various “burn times” of up to 15 seconds.  When empty shells had to be prepared for firing, the procedure is described in the following article from ORDNANCE INSTRUCTIONS, UNITED STATES NAVY 1880:

“457. Whenever it shall be necessary to load and fuze shell on board ship- a properly secured place being first prepared, as directed by the Captain — the shell being strapped and sabotted, are to be examined to see that they are clean both inside and out,  and thoroughly dry. The prescribed charge of powder is next to be poured into them, through a proper funnel; any grains of it which may remain sticking to the thread of the botching are to be brushed away carefully, and then, after putting a light coat of lacker for small arms on this thread and on that of the fuze, the latter is to be screwed in carefully with the fuze wrench. The lacker should be of the consistency of cream, and when, from evaporation, it becomes too stiff, should be thinned by adding more spirits of turpentine.”

The same reference contains this table showing the charge weight for various shells, here:  https://flic.kr/p/2nsCn9z

[photos, no captions needed]:  https://www.flickr.com/photos/189102681@N07/shares/D7hf06

The shell funnel pictured is 6.75 inches in diameter and 10.75 inches long.  Markings are self-explanatory, but the two sets of initials are those of the Superintendent, Naval Gun Factory (C. O’N) and the ordnance inspector (C.O.A.). Original Navy shell funnels must be scarce today, this is the only example the author has seen in about 40 years of looking for artillery accouterments.  This one is privately-owned in Alexandria, VA.

(C.O’N)  Superintendent, Naval Gun Factory, Commander Charles O’Neil bio here:

https://www.rbhayes.org/collection-items/gilded-age-collections/o-neil-charles-f.-rear-admiral/

(C.O.A.) Ordnance Inspector, Lieutenant Commander Charles Olden Allibone, bio here:

http://www.dreadnoughtproject.org/tfs/index.php/Charles_Olden_Allibone

Photos:  John Morris has shared 2 photos with you! 

John Morris has shared 2 photos with you

Funnel Photos:  https://www.flickr.com/photos/189102681@N07/shares/Mg3R9p39K3