Many fuzes are armed on set-back. An exception to this is the long
detonating fuse, MK 111, which is armed by the unrolling of a brass
spiral holding together two half rings made of steel so fitted as to
prevent the anvil and the head of the fuse from getting close together.
The spiral unrolls when the rotational velocity of the projectile
reaches a certain speed, thus drawing away the two steel rings and
arming the fuse.
[Illustration: _DETONATING FUZE—MARK-III._]
[Illustration: _DETONATING FUZE—MARK-V._]
It is of great importance that the spiral spring be not unrolled during
transportation or storage. This is prevented by winding a tape of
tarred canvas around the spirals, the head being covered by a thin
band of tinfoil. Just before loading the projectile the head and tape
are removed by pulling the free end of the tape.
The following precautions concerning fuses must be rigidly observed to
prevent grave accidents:
1. All detonators and detonating point fuses must be fitted with a felt
washer underneath, thus insuring proper seating in the central tube.
2. Never disassemble a fuse by unscrewing.
3. Any fuse, the parts of which have become accidentally unscrewed,
must be destroyed at once. If fired it may cause a premature burst; if
handled a grave accident may result.
4. Any fuse or projectile which has been fired is dangerous, because it
may then be able to detonate by a very slight shock. It is forbidden to
touch it.
5. Never remove the tin hood from the long fuse before having screwed
the fuse in the central tube.
6. After having removed the tin hood, be sure that the spiral is in its
proper position. Never use a long fuse without the spiral.
7. Be sure the men understand that this spiral must not be removed. It
has happened that men have removed this spiral, thinking that it was a
device similar to the safety ring in trench mortar fuzes, MK VII E.
8. See that the ring of the long fuze which connects the powder train
to the fuze body cannot be unscrewed. If it can be unscrewed the fuze
should be sent back to the depot.
9. If it is necessary to remove a shell with a long fuze by means of
the rammer, be sure to have a special rammer cup in the shape of a
hollow cylinder of wood which will fit between the shell and the rammer.
10. Time and combination fuzes cannot be made absolutely water-tight;
the cover must therefore not be removed until the projectile is about
to be loaded.
Fuse Tables.
Tables showing American and French fuses to be used by our Field
Artillery, with information concerning markings, color, time of delay,
size of fuse, etc.
DETONATING FUSES.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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