Addison M. Sawyer patented the combination
fuze seen in this specimen on
May 26,
1863, patent #38,699. The fuze was designed so that it would be ignited by the shock of
discharge when the rifle was fired. If the time fuze failed to ignite from the initial
discharge, then the secondary device would detonate the projectile on impact. This style
fuze is commonly referred to as a Sawyer combination fuze. Stamped on the nose is "14
1/2", which is the amount of bursting charge in ounces that was to be installed at
the arsenal. Several 3-inch Sawyer projectiles similar to this specimen have been
recovered from a Virginia battlefield. Go
here
for information about the "14 1/2" stamping.
