Notes on Ammunition for QF 4.5in Howitzer

8/12/2019 Notes on Ammunition for QF 4.5in Howitzer

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40 N Yl1i~1

\V.O.

ON THE AMMUNITION FOR

Q.F. 45-INdH I IOWITZER.

4TH EDITION.

1920.

0

LO DON,PUBLISHED HX 1119 IIAJ1~srY’SSTLTIONEIIY029102.

Tobe p rhu.~dthrough ft03’ I3ook~e1Ieror directly TromTIM. STA f1ONii~1tY OFFICh ~t L IO thijowing o,Id,ew,i,

IPPEBIAL i1oV~R,K,S~owAYLoNOON,W.C. 2 ~ 28, Aot,~,t~QNSTocp.’r. LoNI ON SW. j~ 7 PETBI1 8T1IJ~OT,MAIcCIII{OTEJ, 1 ~T. A0050W’S Cft1cTCEST,CaL~DIcJe

20 S’ORTII STREET, E1,UII,1Uor Scorn E. PON~ON13Y,Lrb. • 110, QoActos S T R E E T , DUBLIN.

PrkeOne Shifling Nee.

lIe g e r v e c .



[C~”owmCopyi’~gJitReserved.

N O T E S7163 ON THE AMMUNITION FOR

Q.F. 45-INdH llO~ITZER.

IM ’ ~‘o~i)

LONDON,

TUBLISUED BY IllS MAJESTYS STATIONEI1Y O1’FXOU,

To be pur,~ho.edthro~xphany Bookseller or directly Icon,,

Jill, STATIONEIIY OIfFICE si the followi~,f o,tdre,,ee,IcI ’ERTAL EIO~SF.,KINOOWAT LONDON W.C.2 sod28, A1,IN000N STIrREr, LONDON, SW. 17, PETER STilLEr, MANC11I1STER; 1ST. ANDREW’S CRESCENT, CARDIFF;

RI, FORTH STREET, EDINEIIROH;or fr.,,, I~PONSONEY. LTD., 110, mAcTON STRNET, DIJBLIN.

Price One Shilling Net.



‘0

ThEsn notes are intended for the information of officers as tothe details of the ammunition issued for usewith their equip-ments, and theysupplement the regular Treatise andHand-

books.It must be clearly understood that they are no authorityin themselves, and that the official authority is contained inLists of Changes published every month with Army Ordr~r~,

Descriptions ale coxnplete to December, 1019 .

CONTENTS ,

General Notes ...

Table of Main Detai1~of AmmunitionCartridgeCases ...

Primer, Percussion, No. ICartridges ... ...

General Notes oti ShellsHigh.Explosive She]lsMarkings on H.E. ShellsIncendiary Shells ...

Smoke Shells ...

Chemical Shells ,..

Packing ... ... ...

Markings on PackagesGeneral Notes on FuzesPercussion Fuzos ...

Fuze, Percussion, D.A., No. 44Fuzes, Percussion, D,A,, Nos. 1 06 and 1 06 EFuze, Percussion, No. 101 EFuze, Graze, No. 1 00 ...

Fuzes, Percussion, Nos. 01 and 102Fuze, Percussion, No. 1 03Gaines, Nos. ~land4 ...

Time, and Time arid PercussionFuzcs

F’uze, T. andP., No. 82 ... ...

Fuze, T. and P., No. 83 ...

.t’uze T. and P.,No. 88 ...

Preservation of FuzesGlossary ... ... ...

PACE

4,5 1 ,7

8 — 1 0

1 1 — 2 122—2626—3334 , 3536— 39

42,4344

45—4748

49—52

5 : 1 — 5 556—0061— 03

636365

0 6 — O S0 9 — 7 172— 7475— 7778— 80

...S1,S2

...83,S4



3

GENERAL NOTES.Time ammunition issued with the Q . F . 4’ 5-inch howitzer

equipment is not of the fixed type. Thepropellant chargeiscontained inabrass cartridgecase whichalso acts as a seating-device for t i m o propellant gases, but t i m e cartridge case and

projectile are not secured together and must be loadedseparately into t ime howitzer.

When loading, it is necessamy that the projectile should

~ be well rammed into the bore of the howitzer and that an~ equal pressure of ramming should be exerted at successive

~ rounds. If the projectile is not rammed home, it may slip

~ back w i m e i m t ime piece is elevated, enter t ime cartridge case and

rest on t ime propellant elmnrgo; this would probably lead to

irregular shooting, and mIght give rise to excessive pressures

r ~ ;in’ the chamber of t ime piece. Also if a varying pressure is

exerted when ramming successive rounds, time projectiles may

:~ibe forced for varying distances into time bore, with the result~. that t ime density of loading, or, in other words, t i m e effective

chamber space provided for the charge, will vary; such

: variations lead to irregularities in s lm ooting.~‘ Anummibe r of different natures of projectiles areissued wmth

this equipment. T ime different natures arc distinguished bythe colours in uviiich the projectiles are painted and by dis.-tlnctive niarkings.

When circumstances permit, lists should be kept for eachgun of the particulars of the am m insun ition provided for it,

in t ime order in which it is to be expended. Particuiars should

include designation and mark, design number of the method

of filling, initials oi’ mnonograni of mnanufactu;’er, monogram

of filling station and date of tilling, and lot number, T ime

information enables faulty rounds to be identified, and is ofassistance in tracing causes of failure.

When packed in limbers and wagons, two complete roundsfit into each basket carrier,which is inserted in a compartment

of thewagon or limberbox. Awagon with its limber contains

48 rounds 32+ 16) and a carriage limber 12 rounds.

ii 14461 Wt. 16015— .PP’2504/220 IM 2120 II S Ml~c.77



4

TABLE OF MAIN DETAILS

CARTRIDGE Solid-drawn brass case (p. 15 hm old ing theCASE breech-opening.

PROrELI~ANT Normal charge of Cordite M.D., Cordite

Charge. (pp. 11 to 10) .

MEANS or No. 1 percussion primer p. 8 screwed

IGNITION.

Pno~rE~rILE. High Explosive p. 20 .

~ Amatol, Lyddite,or Trotyl.

Filling. I +An exploder of

~ Trotyl orC.E.

FUzE ... Graze No. 100

P . 63 , or Percussion,Nos. 101, 101 E, 102

or 1 03 (Pp. 61 and 03

in conjunction with a

game No. 2; or

Puze Percussion

No. 106 p.66 ;

or T. and P. No.

83 p. 75 .



5

OF AMMUNITION.

propellant charge and acting as the sealing.device for the

R.D.B. flake, Ballistite, or N.C.T., divided into sections

into thebaseof cartridgecase.

—__—l

n~

;~.

I~:.

~~‘

‘~

~‘i~

Inceridm ary p. 36).

Timermit, or

incendiarystars.

+A special

explosive orgunpowder.

.

Smoke Chemical p. 40) . (p. 42) .

Liquids of

Phosphorus. secret+ Composition.

A small +charge of b i g i m A small

explosive. charge of highexplosive.

‘

I — —

T. and P.

IN os. 82 p. 72)or 83

(p. ‘75) .

Percussion

Nos. 44 p.53or 1 06(p. 56 ,

Percussion

Nos. 44 p. 63)or 1 06 p. 86) .



6

cARTRIDGE CASES ,

The propellant charge is contained i m m a solid-drawn brasscase p. 15). r1~1mebase of time case is integral with the walls,

and is provided with a central screw-threaded opening forthe primer,, and with an external rim that acts as a step when

loading and as a projection to engage t ime extractor of t ime

breeeh.meclmanisnm. T im e case for the whole of its length isa close fit in tim e chamnum et’ of t i m e lm owitzer ; and to facilitato

extraction, t ime case, and t ime clmamher, are slightly tapered.The ease acts bothas acontainer for thepropellant charge

and as a sealing-device for the breecim-opcning, preventing

the escape of propellant gases to t i m e rear; by t ime pressureofthese gases, the case is expanded and forced tightly agaimmst

t i m e walls of the c imamber . Wimen t i m e pressure is released,

the case, o u v i m m g to the natural elasticity of its metal,* drawsaway from tho walls of the chamber, it can tim en be freely

extracted. For the ease to behave in this manner, its walls

must be tim in . But as t ime walls are thin, time case nmu s t imot

be subjected to rougim usage; if dented or distorted, a jam

may occurwhen an attempt is immade to load t i m e round; orif the round is loaded and titen fired, t l m c propellant gasesmay escape over t i m e case and cause serious damagetothe

piece.Therefore, if the sealing is to be perfect, t i m e ease must ho

in an undamaged condition; iii addition, it must be clean,tlmat is, free f r o m m m m u c i dirt, and corrosion. If t i m e case is

not clean, difficulties may occur when an attempt is made toextract it,

Cases arc repaired and refilled a number of tinmcs. Timenormal life of a case, that is, t i m e number of tinmes it isconsideredsafe for it to he used,was formerly represented by

six full charges, hut m i o w depends on serviceability of the

~ I~the metal of (ho case is too hard, cracks or splits ~re hia1~loto

develop. Hardening of (ho metal takes place during manufacture andrepair, and on firing; it is removed by annealing the cases in a furnace.On the other hand, if the metal is too soft, the cases may be difficult, to~ctract; but thi, is avoided by careful annealing and by testing alt

suspected.eases, See p. 10.



7

case. The letter “C,” indicating cordite or its eqtiiva-lents, N.C.T. andbaliistite, is stampedott thebaseof the case,rtnd each time the case is filled a letter “F “ full is added.

All tired cases should be carefully collected and returnedat the first opportunity.

Cracks may develop in cartridge cases, particularly in timosethat have been uscd for a number of rounds. If a crack isdetected, the round should be returned andattention shouldbe drawn to time failure if used, serious damage to thepiecemn~yresult. It is to prevent the development of cracks that

cases are annealed during manufacture and repair.

Information with regard to the case will be found .~tarnpedon its base. The information includes :—nature of howitzer,

n u m m m c r a l reprcsem m ting the Mark of the case ~ the lotnumber bf t i m e case, and the year of manufacture. A letter

“A “ denotes that t i m e case hasbeen annealed in t i m e processof repair, anda punchmark is added each time this treatmentis carriedout; thebatch letter amid i m umbe r of the a i m m m e a i i n gis also included. The general arrangement of the stampingis shown on p. 10.

* T he ti[ackII ease is slightly longer titan (lie earlierpattern.



S

PRIMER, PERCUSSION, No. 1.

With the ammunition of the present equipment the pro-pellant charge is ignited by means of a primer screwed into

t i m e cartridge case and co.operating with the percussionfiring-mechanism of t ime gun. Actual ignition of the chargeis effected by the firing of a small magazine of gunpowdercontained in the primer. Ignition of the magazine fills

the cartridge case with a powerful flame which ignites

simultaneously au the surfaces of the charge exposed to itcertainty of ignition is essential Ior regular shooting.

The No. 1 primer which is used with this equipment, isprovided with a percussion cap and with a magazine of finegrain gunpowder. The cap is fired by the blow of the striker,

and the flash from the cap fires the gunpowder and this inturn ignites thepropellant charge.

The magazine is closed by a brass, tin, steel, or glazed-

board~disc, treated so as to open out when the primer isfired it is ~ealcdby acoating of Pettman’s cement applied to

theclosing disc. Occasionally thesediscs, particularly those ofglazedboard, are blown out of theprimer. If t i m e blown-outdisc rests in the boro of the gun there is a possibility that m m

jam will occur at thenext round.

Primers with glazcdboard discs are identified by theletter “B” added to tho numeral, thus No. 1, Mark IIB.

This marking, together with t i m e manufacturer’s initials ormonogram. and the year of manufacture, will he foundstamped on the baseof theprimer.

Mark II of this primer has a ball fitted in the passagebetween the percussion cap and the magazine. The ballis blown back into its coned seating and seals the passageagainst back.rush of the propellant gases. Other marks arenot providedwith a ball seal; the cup of the cap is relied

on to prevent the escape of the gases.Toobtain t i m e best and most certain results, the cap of the

primer must be struck centrally. The cases of fired rounds

* Olarodhoard closing discs are no longerbeing used.



V . N H

H \ RI~ I I

( iUSItt’ ~ I

‘m~~t~i~t~~‘eli

r’ ~4k 1~t~~1m w,i4, I

( .tp

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o—it’~ills

k ~el ) t , m mmm h e m r~

l’,} ~, N.

~ :‘~t.



10

should therefore be inspected ; if the indents on the capsare distinctly eccentric, the striker of the mechanism shouldbe adjusted.

Before inserting the primer, the screw-threads and under-side of the flange are coatedwith MarkIII listing so as toforma seal against the entry o~moisture. Particularly is thisnecessary with N.C.T. charges, as this propellant readilyabsorbs moisture and the regularity of theshooting is affected.

The luting also helps to prevent unscrewing of theprunerby thevibration when travelling. But in later cartridges the

primers are further secured by punching up the metal of tho

ease at points opposite the Blots in the head of the primer.A partly projecting primer may prevent closing of the

breech when an attempt is made to load the round.On the other hand, a misslire may result if the cap of the

primer is sunk more than 0-015-inch below the level of thebase of the case.

Key No. 26 is used for ihserting or removing the primer.Thekey consists of a steel bar bent to fit overthebase of the

case, and providedwith two studs to engage the slots in theheadof the primer.

When issued separately, 4 to 10 primers are packed in asquare or circular and flat tin box, the lid of which is sealedby a soldered-on tin strip arranged to be torn of when thebox is to be opened. Primers in an opened box should beprotected by re-sealing the lid with a tape band secured byshellac cement over the joint, and afterwards coatedwith the

same cement. A temporary seal may be made by Mark IIIlisting smeared inside the flange of the lid.

Primers can be repaired for re-use. On repair, a star, orthe letter “M” or “ It is athieci to the numeral, thus

No. 1 , Mark III It.



11

CARTRmGES.

The cartridges of the4-5-inchhowitzer equipment presentspecial features; these are correlatedwith the design of thehowitzer and with its method of use. Thus, as the howitzer

is for its calibre of comparativelylight weight, and thereforeof comparatively low strength, the weight of the charge issmall so as to give comparatively low pressures; a smallsizeof propellant is used so as to obtain complete combustionin thelength of the bore, whicim is short; the charge is made

up in such a form that its weight can be readily adjusted soas to provide for widely-varying ranges and to enable themost suitable angle of descent at any particular rangeto be

obtained.For the cartridges of this equipment the following pro-

~ pellants I m a v e been used :—Cordite M.D. or R.D.B. in t i m eform of strands, N.C.T., Bailistite, and Cordite R.D.B.

c.~ flake. At present Cordite R.D.B. flake is being largely em-

~ ployed.In all the cartridges, the charge is divided into five

.i sections, and theweights of the sections are selected so that~. the full chargeandthe fractional parts give the same muzzle~ velocities with each propellant. Eachsection of the charge

is enclosedin a cambric bag, and the sections arepackedinto

the cartridge case in their numerical order,with No. 1 sectionat the bottom. The different charges are obtained by

combinations of the sections taken in their numerical orderin nil cases starting from No. 1; other combinations arenotused; therefore, for the lower charges, the sections not re-quiredare removed from t i m e top of the pile and the othersections are left undisturbed in the case.

Time bags containing the propellant charges are Becuredtogether and to the cartridge ease, usually by shellac varnishapplied in patelm es. The sections must be removed with

care as the cambric of the bags is easily torn; if the bag isruptured, the charge may be spilt.

After loading the cartridge case, its mouth is closed by aleather-board lid or by a flexible rubber cover. Thecoveris

n 14403 A 3



12

to ho preferred; it seals the case against t i m e entry of moisture

(p. 15) . The lidor cover is tobe removed before loading.Each complete cartridge is packed in a tin cylinder, the

lid of which is sealed by a tape band secured by shellaccement. For some earlier issues, a cardboardcylinder wasused; but this did not give so good aprotection against the

entry of moisture as did t i m e tin cylinder, and its use wast Imerefore discontinued.

A description of the cartridges follows.

The flake cordite car tr idge.— T im e charge for this is 16 ozs.

12 drs. Cordite R.D.B. square flake, size2~/5O;it is dividedinto five sections of the following weights

ozs. drs.Sectiom i No. 1 ... ... ... ... 6 0Section No. 2 ... ... ... ... 1 3

Section No. 3 ... ... ... 11Section No. 4 ... ... ... .. 2 10Section No. 5 ... ... ... ... 4 4

Themuzzle velocities given by thedifferent charges are

First charge (Section No. 1) ... ... 659 f.s.• Second charge (Sections Nos. 1 and 2) ... 030 f.s.

Thirdcharge (Sections Nos. 1 , 2 and3) ... 709 f.s.Fourth cim arge (~SectionsNos. 1, 2, 3 and 4) 829 f.s.Fifth cim arge (Sections Nos. 1, 2 3 4 and 5 1,010 f.s.

Each section of the charge is filled into a cambric bag

the sections when completed have the shape of discs or shor tcylinders of a diameter to fit the case. No. I Section issecured to thebaseof thecase by four dabsof shellac varnishSections Nos. 2, 3 and 4 are shellaced iii four places to timesides of the case, andin addition No. 4 is shcdlnccd toNo. 3No. 5 Section is shellaccd to No. 4 in four places; and the

charge is sealed by a cambric or muslin strip secured acrossthe uppermost section. Eachsection is clearlymarked witii

Its number anti withtheweight of the charge contained in it.



1 1 I i

I~~/ •

~

tI•iI~

• 1~~T

• ~r

4

—~~;•:

•~‘••~hH•~••

I ~

TtT~~t~7J~t=~

II I II~



14

ThaNXJ.T. eartridgc.—The chargefor this cartridgeconsistsof 1 lb. 2 ozs. 4 drs. N.O.T., size 5; it is divided into five seo-tions of the following weights :—

oza. drs.Section No. I ... ... ... ... 7 0Section No. 2 ... ... ... ... 1 8Section No. 3 ... ... ... .. 1 13Section No. 4 ... ... ... .., ~ 12

Section No. 5 . -. ... ... ... 5 3

Thesections of the charge, each enclosed in a cambric bag,

are packed in the ease as shown, and are secured togetherandto the case by dabs of shellac cement. Some cartridgeshave been issued with the sections arranged in a slightlydifferentmanner; with these,No. 1 section is lightly attachedto the lid.

The N.C.T. charge, owing to the loose nature of the pro-pellant short cylinders does not packwell into the Mark Icase ; it is therefore more usually loaded into the longer

Mark II case.

The mouth of the ease is closed either by a leather-boardlid, or more usually by a flexible rubber cover. The latter

is tobe preferredas it givesa muchgreaterprotection againstthe entry of moisture. This sealing is of importance withN.O.T . charges, thepropellant readily absorbs moisture withtheresult that the charges swell and may expandout of theease, causing difficulties in loading; in addition, the regu-larity of the shooting is affected.



I.

‘ ~:i II”. . iq~ :. ~ ~ ii ’ P :ii~ i..

’ i u 1.1 i’

— —— In thtsr4’’u liii- nae,::~m;s_- S

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Ni. I

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L1~ ~±nctJ ~ enX ,‘:T’T’j~’u11,

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I6

The bctllistite cartridge.—T}ie charge for this cartridgeconsists of 14 ozs. 2 drs. of ballistite A.,size71; it is dividedinto five sections of the following weights :—

ozs. Ire.Section No. ... ... ... ... 5 4~Section No. 2 -. - ... ..: .. 2~Section No. 3 ... ... ... ... I 7~Section No. 4 ... ... ... . -. 2 5Section No. 5 .. .. ... ... 3 14~

The sections are provided with cambric bags, and are

packed into the cartridge case in a similar maimer to theN.C.T. charge. Bet as ballistite is a powder which packsclosely, the leather-board lid when used, is reversed andfi~tednto the oase with its cupped side uppermost.

The cordite cartridge.—.In this cartridge, whichwas the oneoriginally introduced for this equipment, the ~rrnngement ofthe charge is different to that of the cartridges lescritJOdabove;

the differences depend on thepropellant which

isin

the form of strands.

The charge consists of 15 ozs. 14 des. of cordite M.D. orR.D.B., in part of size 2k and in part of size ~k. It i~divided into the usual five sections of which four are shapedas rings; the fifth section consists of a central core to theend of whicha ring-shapedbase is attached, andthis sectionrests on the bottom of the cartridge case, and the rings are

fitted detachably over the stalk of the core. F~rthe fifthsection, the smaller size of propellant is used, so as to ensurecompleteness of combustion when the lower charges are used,and compensate for the lower chamber pressures.

Theweights of the sections are as follows :—

ozs. des.

Core includingits attached ring) . -. . . - 5 14

Second ring ... -.. ... ... ... I 5~Thirdring ... ... ... ... ... 1 12Fourth ring ... ... ... ... ... 2 °1Fifth ring ~. ... ... .. ... 4 5



17

It is found that different lots of propellants vary slightlyin tim eirballistics. Thesevariations arcavoidedby increasing

or decreasing theweight of the charge. Theweights of thecharges, given above, are therefore nominal; but the actualvariations from these are small. When this adjustment ismade, t ime charge is known m is an “adjusted charge”; usuallyit is denoted by t i m e letters “A.C. “ stencilled on thebase ofthe cartridge case, but witim the latest issues tlmis marking isnow omitted as is explainedlater.

Theoretically, all adjusted charges should give the same

~Snuzzle velocities. But it is important to note that the~jirings on wlmich the adjustment is based, are carried out~;in a new gun and wills the chargas at m a temperature of 80°F.;;andit is foundthat irregularities do occuras thece conditions

are more and more departed from. These irregularities are•most pronoummced when changing from one nature of propel-

~- lant to anotim ernature; but timoy may also occurwhenchang-ing from one lot of propellant to another of the same nature.

~That theseirregularitiesshould occur is obvious by comparingthe temperature-coefficients of the different natures of~ propollants; they also I m a v e theirorigin in thevarying effects

? produced by wear in the howitzer.“~ Therefore, to obviate these irregularities in shooting, the

cartridges should be grouped on t i m e lot of the propellant.Recently, howe’ccr , a system has been introduced by which,for general purposes, it is unnecessary to carry out this close

grouping. Thus lots of propellants are now classified accord-ing to their ballistic properties into groups which are forranges of 5 f.s. variations in muzzle velocity given by normal

charges; the lots above and below normal are given t i m enumbers 10 and 9, and the other groups, higher or lower

numbers as tho ease may be. In addition, each nature ofpropellant is given a letter, which is “ C”for Cordite M.D.or R.D.B. in theform of strands of sticks,* “ B “ forBailistite,

“N” forN.O.T., and” F”for flake cordite; this marking isintroduced in order that the different natures of propellant

* Cordite M.D.and Cordite R.D.B. have now been separated; R.D.B.retainS the letter C, but M.D. is given the letter D.



18

may be kept separate. A complete classification would,

therefore, be “F. 10” ; and it follows that all lots of pro-

pellant in the “F. 10” group have substantially the sameballistic properties, and that it is ordinarily sufficient to

group for firing on this basis. But for special purposes, agrouping on the lot of thepropellant might be carried out as

a refinement.To enable these groupings to be carried out there is

stencilled on thebaseof the cartridgecase andon the packagein which the cartridges are packed, the nature of t i m e propel-

lant and its lot letter and number,* mind in later issues theballistic group to which the lot of propellant belongs. Theformer stencilling is in red; but for the ballistic group

different colours are used for the different natures of propel.lant; thus, for Cordite M.D. or R.D.B. in the form of sticks

or strands the celour is blue; forN.C.T. , red; forBallistite,yellow; for flake Cordite, black. This stencilling is enclosedin a rectangle of the same colour. The ballistic groupis aLso

stencilledon the tin cylinderin whichthe cartridgeis packedand as these cylinders are usually blackened, the stencilling,when its distinctive colour is blue or black, is applied to awhitepatch first painted on the cylinder.

~Io enable each lot o f propellant tobe identified, it isgiven a letter orletters representing the m anufac ture r ’s initial, and a serial number , thusWA. 1000 WalthamAbbey , lot 1000) .



19

MAISKINQS o~r i siii op CAmivaroGE CAsz~s.

STAMPINO.

1 ) Mark of case. 2 ) Initials or monogram of mann.

facturer of case, and its lotnumber.

(3) Life ofcase.

4) Annealing markings. 5) If the case ha~been teeted for

softness (Scleroscope Test.~ B) Ballistic group of propellant.

ST ]m NCILL ING ON BASIL



20

In a newgun and with the charges in good condition, thedifferent propellants give about the same accuracy,ballistitemind N.C.T. when new being slightly the best. But withN.C.T. , which readily absorbs moisture, it is found that theaccuracy falls off to a markedextent if the charges have beenstored under damp conditions ; there is also a general dropin muzzle velocity. This effect of moisture is important;it leads to a permanent injury to the powder; and, inaddition, the cim arges swoll and they may expand out of theease, causing difficulties when loading. With otherpropel.lants, however, there is evidence that moisture if present inappreciableamounts,affectsballistics, leading to short rounds.Therefore thetin cylinders should not beopenedor the coversremoved sooner than is necessary; and every effort shouldbe made to protect the cartridges from wet, and to keep thestorage conditions as dry as possible.

Wear in the gun produces as its’ general effect a loss ofmuzzle velocity; it is usual to find tim at there is also a loss

ofaeeuraoy.

Theactual

losses vary witht i m e different

propellants; with flake cordite the losses are pronounced,

especially with the lower charges, and it is therefore con-sidered advisable that with worn guns, the first and secondcharges should not be used; with very worn guns, the useof the third charge should, if possible, be avoided.

The weights of the charges m i r e selected so as to providefor all ranges, and there is also an overlap at each point of

change, so that at certain ranges it is possible touse differentcharges, cf. Range Table. Now, wear in the gun is greater

as the charge is larger; in the Range Table will be founda table giving the equivalent values as regards wear of thedifferent charges. Therefore to prolong the life of the gun

as much as possible, it is desirable that the lower chargeshould wimere possible be selected, due consideration beinggiven to the regularity of the shooting and accuracyin the

fuze-burst likely to be obtained. By the use of the lowercim arge a largerangle of descent is obtained.

All propellante deteriorate slowly on storage. Withwar-time expenditure of ammunition, this will not lead to



2 1

harmful results; but it is advisable that cartridges shouldbe expended according to the date of tim eir manufacture.

~ With all the propellants used with this eqimipmnent tim ereis produced on firing, both flash and smoke. The relatm veamounts vary: in the case of the cordites and ballistite, theflash prodominates; with N.O.T. there is decidedly moresmoke and tho flash is appreciably dimmed. The flash and

smoke each tend to disclose the position of the batteries,the former more particularly by day, and the latter by night.Timoro is therefore a greater possibility of disclosure by day

v i m e n firingwithN.O,T., and less at night; andwith theotherropeilants, vice versa.~ For use with the flake cordite cartridge there is issued a~ilash-reducing charge consisting of a small amount of amineral salt enclosed in a circular and flat canm brio bag~

cThis chargemust be placed on top of t i m e propellant chargeso that when loadedit is adjacent to the base of theprojeetile.

~~mihis position it does not affect theignition of the propellant

charge.:i When using this charge there is a noticeable reduction in.

~he size and brilliancy of the flash; but the smoke is~increased considerably, and theuso of this charge by day Is; tmot consideredadvisable.

Care must be taken not to confuse this charge with t i m esections of t i m e propellant cim arge; although both are insim ilarly-sim aped bags yet there should be no difficulty as

the bags are clearly marked.The flash-reducing charges are packed eight in a cartridge

cylinder, and ten of these cylinders are packed in the usual

wood box.



GENERAL NOTES ON SHELLS.

The shells of the 4~5- inc lm equipment have cylindricalbodies, hollow to receive the filling and provided with flat

bases and with tapered heads of ogival section. Thebases are of a strength sufficient to withstand the pressuresof the propellant gases; and tue walls, of such a strengthand thickness as will prevent bulging or fracture under thefiring stresses. The design is therefore largely determinedby the stresses to whichthe shell will be subjected on firing.

Thediameter of the body is slightly less than that of t I m ebore across the lands so as to provide a clearance or“windago” that ensures the free passage of the projectilealong the bore. The amount of windago with the 4 5-inchhowitzer shells is about0~01—003 inch.

By giving the heads the ogival shape above referred to,theresistanceof theair to thepassageof t i m e shell is dcerenscd,so enablingan increasedrangeto beobtained. In longitudinal

section, the ogivo consists of an arc of a circle having itscentre on a line drawn through t i m e shoulders, that is thejunction of the head and the cylindrical body. The radiusof thehead is expressed in cauibres. Thus, the shells of thepresent equipments have heads of about 3 calibrcs radius;they are termed3 c.r.h, shells. The fuze, whichis fittedintoa screwed socket in the nose of the shell, continues the curve

of the head.An important detail of the shell is thedriving band. It

eonsists of a ring or strip of copper pressed into a groove inthewalls of the shell near the base. Theband acts as a sealfor the propellant gases; a stop to regulate ramming; asupport for the shell when the piece is elevated; and the

means by whichthe rifling imparts rotation to the shell.Toprevent rotation of the bandwith respect to the shell,

waved ribs or knurling into whichthe copper is pressed, areformedalong thebottom of the groove; in addition thesidesof the groove areundercut.

The band projects from the shell, m i n d is of a diametergreater than that of the bore across the grooves so as to seal



23

the gases. Sufficient metal is arranged in theportion whichprojects, to form a grip for the rifling. With the 4 di-inehshells, two sections of driving bands are used; the earlierwas a wide band with two cannolurcs; but later shells arefitted with a band narrower in width but projecting farther

from the shell so as togiven more effective sealing with agunthat is worn. Both patterns of bands havea forward slopewhich is serrated soas togrip better into t ime lead of the bore;

and it is important if regularity of shooting is to be obtainedthat the same force of ramming should be exerted_at each

round.

DnIvING BANDS .

E AR L IE R PA TT E nN .

eLATeR pATvERN.

SThese shells which are fitted with the later pattern ofband are distinguished by two black or white strips painted

longitudinally on the body. As~he shells with the twopatterns of bands may not range alike, it is important that

they should be grouped on this marking.

For the band to be engraved by the rifling, the metalused must be soft; but the useof softmetal (copper) rendersthebandliableto damage. Ifthebandis dentedordistorted,a gap may be left through which the propellant gases can



24

escape, or it may prevent the shell being properly rammedhome; these conditions lead to erosion of the bore, and to

unsteadiness of the shell in flight.At each round a small portion of the metal of the drivingband is detached and remains firmly adherent in the bore

producing the so-called “copper choke.” When the chokebecom es excessive, de-coppering is necessary; this necessi-tates the gun being put out of action for a time. Recentlyit has been found that the choke can be removed by addingto the propellant charge a small amount of tinfoil; the foil

~s cut into strips 1-inch. in width, crumpled and made upinto a bundle of about tho diameter of the cartridge case,

and placed between the charge and the shell* For theprocess to be successful , it is essential that the gun shouldbe absolutely free from greaseand graphite lubricant; aLso

it must be hot.Before loading, care should be taken that the driving

bands,—and the shells and cartridges,—aro free from muddirt andrust. Dirt, if present in an excessive amount, mayform a bank in advance of the shell travelling along the bore,and if the windage is unable to accommodate it, either the

gun must bulge or the walls of the shells set in; the latterwill probably lead to either a premature in the bore or abreak-up at the muzzle. Similar dangers ariso from anexcess of lubricant in tile bore.

Cleanliness of shells and driving bands is an important safe~

guard against prcni turcs It has also a material effect inincreasing the life. of the gun.

Toprevent rusting of the shells they may be lightly oiled.Dirt that may have accumulated in the cannelures of thedriving bands, should be carefully brushed out.

Differences may occur in theranging of thedifferent naturesof shell and also of the same nature of shell when fitted with

different fuzes.t These differences depend largely on the

- * Adecopperiog charge has not yet been approved for this howitzer.

~For sxamplo, No. 106 fuses ascompared wit , No. 101 or 103 fuzci.oreven No. 106 Mark Ill fuzes as cotupared withother patterns of this

use.





2 6

HIGH-EXPLOSIVE SHELLS.

High-explosive shells are arranged to detonate on impact.

With full and complete detonation of the bursting-charge,the forged steel body is broken up into a large number ofsmall fragments, which if the burst is above ground, are

projected with high velocity in directions mainly transverseto the axis of the shell; there is also intense local damageto materiel; and the moral effect is considerable. H the

burst is below ground, there is good crater or mine effect.When the detonation is only partial, the fragments areunduly large and there is more forward efleot; and theother effects are appreciably less. With mere explosion,-the effect is much less as regards the number of fragmentsand their spread, and the moral, crater andmine effects arenot so pronounced.

The body of the shelll~isof forged steel. The base is

integral with thewalls; and the headand walls are usuallyin onepiece, but in some cases tho head is screwed into thebody. In the nose of the shell is provided a screw-threaded

socket to receivethefuze; the socketmay be formeddirectlyin the shell, or in a bushscrewed into it. The driving bandis pressed into an undei~cutgroove in the walls of the shellnear the base (p. 22 ) .

For the bursting.eharges the following high explosives

are used :—Amatol, Lyddite (picric acid), and Trotyl tn-nitro-toluene . Of theseAmatol is by farthemostimportant;it is of a mixture of ammonium nitrate and tri-nitro-toluene,

the proportions usually employedbeing 40 or 80 parts of theformer to 60 or 20 parts of the latter, respectively; theso

varieties are known as amatol 40 /60 and amatol 80 /20 .The explosives selected are all comparatively inert and

safe substances, as they have to withstand the shock ofdischarge from the gun; they require a detonation in actual

contact with them and ~vellwithin their substance to ensurethat they will detonate and not merely explode.

Thero are differences in the properties of these explosives.When detonated, although all three areextremely powerful,yet there is a slight advantage in favour of lyddite; amatol,



I\J;~\I ~I II

. •-.~-- ~



28

however , presents other and important advantages, andbecause of these it will be found that the majority of theshells are filled with this explosive. Amatol responds

slightly less readily to detonation; it has also thedisadvan-tage of absorbing moisture, which tends to reduce itscapacity for detonating, and it is because of this that specialcare has to be observed in the sealing of the fuze-socket.

Lyddite, when in actual contact with the metal of the shell,forms compounds dangerously sensitive to shocks andfriction and to obviate this danger, theinterior of the shellis coatedwith a special varnish. For thesamereason,leadis

excluded from thepaint of theshell and themetal of thefuzeandprecautions aretaken toprevent the contact of the acid

with metal particles, rusty filings, and also chalk, lim e andplaster. The fuze must only be removedwhen there is nodanger of such contaminations.

Themethod of filling varieswith thonature of theexplosive.Withamatol 40/60, lydclite andtrotyl, theexplosiveis melted,poured into the shell, and allowed to set. When amatol

80 /20 is used, the explosive in a powdered or pasty form, isintroduced into the shell, and then compacted by pressure.

With eithermethod, a cavity is formed in the centreof thefilling; in this, is accommodated the exploder system.

The exploder system has an important function. Thelure of itself cannot start with certainty the detonation

of thebursting-charge, but by interposing a small charge of

a more easily detonated explosive,—trotyl or C.E. in finecrystals or powder,*_the detonating impulse is built up andat the same time transmitted to the centre of the bursting-

charge, in which position it is most effective. The charge

of trotyl or O.E. is enclosed in a cylindrical fabric bag or

paper carton. it is then termed an exploder.

As the explosive used in the exploders is of a loose nature,

it may, unless precautions are taken set back under theshock of firing and leave a gap beneath the fuze; such agapacts as a barrier to thedetonating impulse, either cheek-

* For a description of the exploder systems fitted to earlier patterns

of lyddite-uilled shells, reference should be made to the earlier editions•of this pamphlet.



29

lag it entirely or reducing its efficiency. It is to obtain freetransmission for this impulse that the following precautionsas regards the exploders are observed :—the explodersmust

fill completely the space in the filling; the fuze or gamemust press tightly against the exploder adjacent to it ; theexploders are fitted choked end downwards ; they most

be heavily compressed.Exploders are mache in various sizes. As the diameter

remains the same in all cases, the important variable is tIre’

length. Originally the different exploders were defined bytheir nominal weights, 16 des., 14 dr-s., 10 drs., c. ; laterthey are termed A, B, C, c., exploders, these being in adecreasing order of size.

The exploders selected and their arrangement depends onthe type of fuze witIi whichthe shell is fitted.

At present tire H.E. shells of the 4-5-inch equipment arefitted in part with fuzo No. 1 06 or 1 00 E (p. 56) , in partwiththe graze fuzs Nos. 1 0 1 , 101 E and 1 03 (p. 61) but withoutdelay, and in part with the Nos. 83 or 88 time andpercussion

fuzes (p. 75) ,* The shells last mentionedare special for air-burst ranging.

Graze type fuzes are used in conjunction with a game(p. 66) which serves to produce the initial detonation. Thegame is fitted below the fuze and fills the upper part of thecavity in the filling ; with No. 101 type fuzes the game isscre~veddirectly into the fuze (p. 62) , but with the No. 1 03fuze it is carried by an adapter No. 10 or 1 2 ) whichscrews

into the fuze-socket (p. 78 . In the space below the gameis fitteda 14 drs. or “C” exploder, and to obtain the neces-sary compression a trotyl pelletis placed at thebottom of thecavity; alternatively, a single “A” exploder may be used.Withsome fillings having no exploder container the cavity isshorter; the “C” exploder is then sufficient

Whena time andpercussion fuze is used, a similar arrange-ment of No. 2 game and exploder is employed, except that

the game is supported in a No. 11 adapter (p. 79) .

For the future, the No. 88 fuze will be standard for theseshells.

(n 14463) A 6



I\F H~I~\II II

I Nn.. 51c r



31

With fuzeNo. 106 a game is not required since this fuze isof a type which detonates when fired. The spaceoccupiedby the game is therefore filled with a secondexploderwhichis here of the “B “ pattern.

In some shells (more particularly those for use in hotclimates the exploder system is enclosed in a steel containerscrewed into the fuze-socket. Thecontainer seals thesocket,

preventing the entry of moisture which has a deadeningeffect on the detonating properties of the amatol; it alsoprovides greater confinement for the exploder and so renders

its detonation more effective; and to a minor extent it pre-vents the exploder from being contaminatedwith the exuda-tion which sometimes occurs with shells containing trotylin the fillings, ace below. When an exploder container isused the lower exploder may consist of trotyl, chargeddirectly into the container.

In some cases, more especially if the shell is to be fittedwith an exploder container, the cavity in the filling is of

greater diameter, and the additional space is filled with anannulus of cast or pressed trotyl either formed in situ orintroduced as separate blocks. The trotyl responds to de-tonation more readily than amatol, so that this arrangementprovidesaneasier carry-onof thedetonating impulsefrom theexploder.

When crude trotyl* is used in the fillings of amatol and.trotyl-filled shells, difficulties arise if a temperature of 80°F.

is exceeded in storage. At these higher temperatures oilyproducts exude from the filling, and by acting on the trotylexploder reduce its efficiency or in extreme cases prevent itfrom functioning. It is important, therefore, that theseshells should not be stored under conditions in which atemperature of 80°F. is exceeded; for example, they shouldnot be exposed to thedirect rays of tire sun, and when onshipboard they must be stowed away from the boilers.

*Crude trotyl is now no longer employed.



Il I\ -III I\J II

/ ~-- -~ai5~~

/ ~ :~ ~

H /~-

I I

• •• - ~~r~rn r—-



As it is im poss ib le to observe this restriction in tropicalclimates, special fillings have to be provided

1Thus, H.E.

shells for these climates are filled with

1 ) Lyddito. 2 ) Pure trotyl.

* 3) Amatol 40100 or 80/20 made W ith pure trotyl, andfitted with C.E. exploders.

t 4 Arnatol 80/20 made with etude trotyl, a m i d fitted withC.E. exploders.

With fillings 2 ) , 3) and 4) the shell ig identified by aspecial marking

seep. 34. When lyddite

is used as thefilling, a special marking is unnecessary, as this explosive isnot under any conditions subject to exudation.

The use of CE. exploders is important. This explosiveis not affected to a material extent by the exudation from

crude trotyl. These explod~rsmay therefore be fitted intoshells in which exudation hasoccurred, the trotyl exploderbeing first renioved, and the cavityfreed from oily products.

Withlyddite-filled shells, C.E.

explodersare unnecessary,and in fact if fittedwould be dangerous, owing to the intCr-

action that takes place between this explosive and lytidith.When detonated, a H.E. shell has little incendiary ~ffc~t,

and the effect front the fumes is small. Detonation isindicated with lyddite and tmtyl by black smoke and theabsence of white or yellow streaks. With amatol, especially80 /20 thesmoke effect is niucli less and of a bluish tinge;observation is thereforemore difficult unless smoke-producingmaterial is included in the filling.Precautiom is have to be taken to guard against detonation

of aH.E. shell in anyother manner than by the action of thefuze. A steel base-plate (p. 32) Is screwed or riveted intoa turned-out recess in the base, to guard against the flash ofthepropellant passing throughpossible flaws in themetal ofthe shell. The walls of the cavity are coated ~Vithvarnishto provide a smooth interior and ob~iatoa premature burstat the shock of discharge by friction of the filling against t I m eroughwallsof the shell.

Amatol 40/00 filling willnot be continued

tUnder very severeconditions this filling cannot in all casesberelieden.



34

MARKINGS ON H.E. SHELLS.

H.E. shells are painted yellow to distinguish them fromother natures of projectiles.

With amatol- or trotyl-ifiledshells the nature of the fillingis indicated by a greenband painted round the body of the

•shell and in the case of amatol by a fraction, for example40/60, stencilled below it. On later shells this fraction willnot be given if the filling is amatol 80/20; and in the case

of trotyl-filled shells, which previously carried no markingother than the greenband todenote the nature of the filling,these will have theword “trotyl” stencilled in black on thegreen band to obviate confusion with shells filled amatol80/20.Lyddito-f i l led shells do not bear the green band; the

absence of this marking is therefore distinctive. -

When filled, the usual red ring is painted round the head

of the shell. The following is an important exceptionamatol- or trotyl-filled shells having fillings suitable for usein hot climates, haveinstead of the completerod ring, eithera redring broken by yellow crosses or a ring of red crosses.Shells for air-burst ranging, with which fuzes T. and P.

Nos. 83 or 88 are to be used,havetheletters“A R” stencilled

on the body.The design number of themethod of filling is stencilled on

the body of the shell.If the shell is fitted with O.E . exploders, this is indicated

by stencilling on the shell below the band,—Expr. C.E

The following markings may be met with on the earlier

issues. On tho shoulder, the letter” G”to indicate that a

game is fitted, and followed by a numerical indicating thepattern of the game, thus “ G 2?’ Below the green band, asmall greenrectangle if a trotyl pelletis fittedat the bottom

of thedavity; anopen green rectangle,if the exploder cavityis surrounded with trotyl; and markings t~ndicate thenature and pattern of the exploder.



• ~ •• I. .



36

INCENDIARY SHELLS.

The incendiary shells used with the Q.F. 4-5-inch equip-ment are designed to set fire to buildings, dumps, and otherinffammabletargets; in dry weather they may also be usedto set fire to grass, forming smoke screens of considerablevalue. T i m o shells a~earrangedto be burst at a short distancefrom the objective, and the incendiary effect is obtained bythe discharge of burning material from the mouth of the

shell.

\Vitlm the present equipment several different patterns ofshells have been used. But all are similar to a srirapncl shell

the incendiary fifing occupies the bullet space; there is anopening-charge in the base; a time and percussion fui~ecompletes the head. And the action is th~same ;—at theburst, the headof the shell is blown off, and t i m e incendiarymaterial is piojected from the mouth of the shell by theexplosion of theopening-charge at the rear, which, however,

has the additional duty of igniting the incendiary material.In the earliest pattern (Mark I the incendiary material is

thermit, and is simply stemmed into the body. The tincup and central tube are filled with an explosive specially

selected on its ability to set Ike to thethermit, whichigniteswith difficulty. Much heat. is generated during t i m e com-bustion of t i m e therruit, and the final product—niolten iron— is raised to an extremely high temperature. When the

shell is burst the burning and molten material is projectedas a shower from the mouth of the shell. With this type ofshell it is important that the burst should take place in the

air andat a short distance from the objective.In a later pattern of shell (Mark II the bulk filling of

thermit is replaced by a number of short cylinders, the so-called stars, filled with incendiary composition ; and for theopening charge a small charge of fine grain gunpowder is

used. Each star has a central passage, and the stars aresupported on perforated steel discs so that a continuouspassage is providedbetween t i m e fuze-socket and theopening

charge in the base of the shell. The steel discs are spaced



l-r’r~rAoS-,•lf~-ic’mr.

I II.



38

apart by short steel cylinders, whichsurround the stars nndare of increasing thickness towards the base of t i m e shell,paper cylinders to act as packing pieces being added where

necessary. When the fuze is burst, the f i a s i m passes downthe central passage and ignites the ends of quiekmatchembedded in thepriming of the stars andwhichproject intot i m e passage passing througim them. To ensurethatthe starsare ignited before discharge, a delay pellet was fitted in thesteel supporting disc at thebaseof the shell, so as tO retardthe explosion of t i m e opening charge; but in later shells timisdelay is omitted, and ignition of the stars is ensured by the

useof an increasedcharge of gunpowder.With the explosion of theopening-charge the head of the

shell is blown off, andthe flamingstars areprojectedfromn itsmouth. The stars, whichderive their incendiary effect fromthe flames whichthey produce, burn for a considerabletime.

With the latest pattern (Mark III , stars of incendiarycomposition are still used; but these are reduced in number

to three, and, in addition, they are designed to take theirown weight, tho steel discs and supports being dispensedwith. The priming of the stars is also different :—in theplace of quickmatch, perforations are made in the central

tube of the star, and theperforations are closed by an innerlining of primed shalloon, behind which arc .two layers ofpriming composition. The pile of stars rests on the usualsteel disc, below which is a small charge of fine grain gun-

powder in a shahloon bag; and to augment the flash fromthe fuze so as to ensure certain ignition of the stars, an

igniter, consisting of fine grain gunpowder in a shalloon bog,is provided in a recess in a wood block immediately belowt i m e Iuze 800ket .

It takes some time for the priming to ignite the starsproperly and therefore the fuze-setting with this type of shell

must not be too long, otherwise t i m e stars may be put out on

impact.Incendiary shells are painted red. The Mark I shells had

their heads painted yellow, in view of the special openingcharge, and the usual red ring was painted round the head



39

when this charge was inserted. Later shells are paintedentirely red, and t i m e red ring is represented by the space

between two black rk~gs; but t i m e latter marking is nowomitted. Formerly the letters INCDY incendiary werestencilled on the side of t i m e shell. In all cases t i m e designnumber of t i m e met lmod of fihling,* t i m e initials of t i m e fillingstation andthedate of filling are stencilledon t i m e body.

The ~imehlsare issued fuzed. Time fuzes fitted are eitim erT. P., No. 82 p. 72) , or T. P., Ne. 83 R, Marks I and II p. 75) , or T. P~,No. 83, Marks Ill-V (p. 75 . -

Incendiaryshells

mustbe stored and transported separately

from otherarnnmunhtion; an exceptiwe maybe made in T h e case of

smoke shell. See footnote, p. 40.)

F or the Mark I ~he1is the desig4 number is 3 : 3 3 3 ; for t i m e Mark II

•heii~,2~i56;for the Mark III shells,27253s



40

SMOKE SHELLS.

Smoke shells are used for the production of smoke screens.When the shell is burst, the filling, specially selected for thepurpose, is ignited,producingdense white smoke which, underfavourable conditions, hangs close to the ground for a con-siderable time I to 5 minutes . For the purposoof opening

the shell and igniting its contents, a small charge of H.E. isprovidedin a container fitted into or constituting the headof the shell.

The smoke efiect is influenced by t i m e atmospheric con-ditions prevailing. On a warm suiuiy day it lies been foundthat one round will cover about 80 yards of front, and thata screen so formed can be maintained by one roundevery

10 to 15 minutes. The steel shells, which contain a largercharge of smoke-producing material, may give a slightly

more dense smoke cloud; but approximately the same rateof fire is required for the steel andcast-iron slm ells.*

To obtain the maximum screening effect the burst musttake place actually on the ground; a percussion fuze istim erefore necessary. The fuze selected must be as nearly aspossible instantaneous in its action so that the burst willtake place immediately on impact; if theburst is smothered,

the value of the screening effect is appreciably reduced.

Fuzes No. 44 (p. 53) or Nos. 1 06 or 100 E (p. 56) are usedwith these shells.

To distinguish the~cshells the bodies are painted lightgreen. The nature of the filling is indicated by the letters

PHOS phosphorus) stencilled on the shoulder ; and themethod of the filling, by the design number stem icilled abovet i m e driving band. Theusual red ring is painted roundtheheadwimen the bursting ehaige is inserted, and above this is brownring if theshell has a cast-iron body.

Because of the nature o/ t i m e filling smoke shells must bestored and transported separately from o t i m e r ammnunition4

T he cast-iron shells arc speciallymarked; seelater.

tThey mey, however, be stored with irm ceim tliary elm ells.



41

l l h e m m on ship they mnust be stowed as deck cargo. Leakage o/

the filling s h o m m l d be looked for and ef detected, the s/sells which.are Z e n L ’ i n g should be moved away

ifpossi

0ie from other cnnmuni

lion and any combustible materia l, immersed in or copiouslydrenched n e f f / s water, and the failure immediately reported.

As phosphorus melts at about 1110 F. it is desirable tim atthis ammunition should be kept as cool as possible; itshould not be exposed to the direct rays of the sun, and around should notbe allowed to remain in a hotgun longer thanis necessary.

a ,



42

CHEMICAL SHELLS.

These shells are intended for the attack of personnel.The bodies of the shells are filled with liquids which at theburst are converted into toxio ornoxious gases or vapours,and the advantage of the shells lies in the comparatively long

time over which the effect from the gas or vapour persists~also on the ability of the gas, c., to penetrate dug-outstrenches and other sheltered positions on which a direct hiis im possib le .

The effect depends on the nature o~he filling, and on the

atmospheric conditions prevailing. Thus, with certain fillingsthe gas cloud is very penetrent* ; with others t i m e effect lastsIor a comparatively long time; whilein other cases the effectis only temporary, and there is but little power of penetra-tion.* The tactical use of the shells is governed largely bythese properties of the fillings, and it is convenient to classifythem as follows :_penetrant, persistent, non-persistent.

As regards the atmospheric conditions, it is found that a

high wind causes rapid dissipation of the gas cloud, althoughin t i m e shelter of woods and villagesthe effect of t i m e wind isconsiderably reduced and the gas may rem a in , potent forlengthy periods. Other conditions unfavourable to theper-sistence of the effect are a hot sun, heavy rain and a tem-perature below freezing point. The gases and vapours are

heavy, and tim erefore tend to lie close to the ground and toremain in shell-holes, trenches, dug-outs and other sheltered

placet.As a rough approximation it may be taken that the effect

lasts from a few minutes to several days, according to t i m enatureof t i m e tilling m id the atmospheric conditions.

The shells have forged steel or east-iron bodies. Timefillings, for whicha variety of liquids are used, are introduced

throughanopening in theside of the body, afterwards closedby a steel plug tightly driven in; the mouth of the shell is

closed by a container in ‘which theluze is fitted. In the con-tainer is a small charge of high explosive, ~ufiicient to breakup theshell andscatter its contents.

That is, as regaids the gas-mask.



43

As the burst must take place actually on the ground, apercussion fuze is necessary; in addition, tho fuzo selectedmust be instantaneous in its action as a smothered burst is

of little value Fuzes Nos. 1 06 or ~06E (p. 56) have beenfound themostsuitable.

Todistinguishthese shells the bodies arepaintedlight grey.A variety of liquids are used for the ifihings. These liquidsare of secret composition, and are known by symbols and

identified by coloured bands painted round the bodies of theshells. At present, the following fillings arebeing used

N.C. penetrant , identified

by white,red, white

bands.0.0. non-persistent , identified by red, white, whitebands.

13.B. persistent , identified by four red bands.S.K. persistent , identifiedby the absence of marking.EC.S.K. persistent , identifiedby letters HVY.*

In addition there is now stamped on the headof the shellletters whichindicate the colour of t i m e bands, andwhichare

arranged in a vertical column and in the same order as thebandsthemselves. Thus, for N.C. the stamping is W (white),R (red), W white ; for S.K., NB (no band). This marking

is a permanent record of the nature of t i m e filling, and isalways available should the coloured bands be obliterated.

In all cases thedesign number of the method of filling isstencilled on the side of tue shell, and the usual red ring ispainted roundthehead of the shell when t i m e bursting-charge

is inserted. A brown ring below t i m e red ring indicates thatthe shell has a cast-iron body.Cheenical shells must be stored and transported separately

from other r4emnunition. Leakage at t m joint of t m containerand at thefillinghole should be lookedfor and if detected the s/tellshould be buried deep in the ground and in such a position as notto contaminate ponds and streams. Men handling the shellsmust be provided with anti-gas helmets of the large “box

respirator” type to be used if leakage of thefilling is suspected;and in the case of B.B. the men must be provided with specialclothing.

~ Theseshells are filledwith pure S.K., anti the marking indicates that

as Compared with S.K. shells, these are heavy in weight.



44

PACKING.

For transportandstoragethe shells and cartridges arenowissued sepawm tely. The shells are packed in wood boxesimolding two or three; t i m e cartridges, each in a tin cylinder,in awood box holding ten, or in a canvas carrier holding five.The carrier consists of an octagonal bag of hessian canvasstrengthened along the sides by eight wood laths, and pro-videdwith a suitably shaped bottom piece and a loose lid;the cartridge cy1inders are packed one on top of the other,and themouth of the bag is closed by the lid held in place

by constricting the bag by means of a cord run through itsedge.

Formerly tho ammunition was packed as complete rounds

in wood boxes. Those contained two shells, and t i m enecessary nutnher of cartridges and fuzes.

All empty packages should be returned at t i m e first oppor-tunity. Before return, t i m e lids should be carefully securedto the packages.



45

MA1 ’ ~K INGS ON PACKAGES.

Boxes are stainedbrown except whereotherwise stated.Stencillings andother paint markings on thepackages give

full information as to their contents. Typical s chem es of

markings are shown on the sketches on p. 46. In particular,attention is draw-n to t i m e following:—

The number ni shells in the box is markedon t i m e lid andsides, thus :— 2 ShELL or 3 SHELL; the number of car-tridges in a box, thus :— 1 0 CARTOES; the number of car-tridges in the carrier, titus :— 5 CARTGES .

Blackstripes along the side edges of the sides of t I m e boxifl(licatothat theshells are fittedwith thenewpatterndrivingband (p. 23) .

On t i m e lidandends of thebox a symbol in red and resem-bling a mushroom indicates that t i m e shells are fitted.withNo. 1 00 lures; an inverted truncated cone in red, tim at fuzes

No. 44 arc fitted ; a b l m m e disc, that t i m e sim ells are fittedwithNos. 1 00 , 1 01 , 1 02 , or 103 fuzes arranged for delay-action ; a

black hollow diamond, that No. 101 E fuzes without delay arc

fitted ; a blue disc inside a blue hollow diamond, that luresNo. 101 B with delay are fitted.

H.E.—On t i m e sides a fraction—for example, 40/60—indi-cating the proportion of the constituents in the am a to l— ’ ifthis is the filling used. If t i m e shells are filled with lyddite,

t i m e letters LYD are stencilled on t I m e ends of t i m e box.

O m i thc ends,two red crosses if the amatol filling is adaptedfor use in hot climates.

Thedesign number of the method of filling is stencilled ont i m e sides of tim box.

Time letters A R on t i m e sides and ends indicate that t i m eshells are for air ranging.

Chemical .—Tho boxes are painted light grey; across t i m elid and ends, coloured bands corresponding to the bands

painted round t i m e bodies of the shells; on the sides, thedesign number of themethod of filling.



@ 1

e)

1~’

4 H

i~’~Is-i;

—-“7

- ~

~~VTA’Ea4~~ ~,‘-~r~”’~_ ~ ‘

,‘~v 4

c ~n~* ~ -

~~‘‘-‘ ~N

4

- ~fi,:1;; : ~;~~ ‘; __--~ ~ ~



47

Srnoke.— T hc boxes are painted light green; on the ends,the letters PHOS, to indicate the nature of the filling; on

the sides, the design number of the method for filling ; on

the ends, the words DECK CARGO, as an instruction whenthe ainniunition is beingstowed on board ship.

Incendiary.—The boxes are painted red; the designnumber of the method of filling is stencilled on the sides ofthe box.

Slar.—A six-pointed star is stencilled on each end of thebox.

Cartridge package —On the lid or sides, the lot letter andnumber of the propellant; the size of the propellant; anda letter or letters which represent the nature of thepropellant and which are :— C for cordite It.D.B., D forcordite M.D. , B for ballistite, and N.C.T. for nitro-cellulosepowder. If, however , the propellant belongs to a lotwhich has been grouped ballistically ~p. 17), then theseletters are replaced by the ballistic group marking

enclosed in a rectangle of the same colour as theletters, thus, C. 12

On all packages there is pasted the group and divisionlabel and the Government explosive label, or the labelwhichis a combination of these ; these labels serveas a guide forsegregating the ammunition during transport or storage.And on the joint of the lid or the securing means of the

package is secured the label of the station at which thepackage was completed.



48

GENERAL NOTES ON FUZES.

The bursting-charge of a shell is ignited or detonated bymeans of a fuze designed to act at any particular instant

during flight, or upon or after impact or graze. These func-tions correspondto the time fuzes and to t i m e percussion luresrespectively, or they may be found together as in a time andpercussion fuze, the so-called T. P. fuze. Percussion andT. P. fuzes are used with the Q.F. 4-5-inch howitzer

equipment. In thefollowing notes the percussion fuzes, amidT. P. fuzes are treated separately.

Fuzes, when not fixed in the shell, are issued packed in tin

cylim iders. Time lid of the cylinder is sealed by a solderedstrip or by a sheilaced tape band ; and it is important, inorder to prevent deterioration and consequent blinds orprematuros, that the strip or band sIm ould not be removed

until the f i m z c is to be fitted in the shell.Fuzes are scrcw-t im rcaded externally for a part of tlm eir

length to engage t i m e screw thread of t i m e fuze socket. Afterscrewing into the shell the luremust be further secured,since

the vibration to wimich t i m e rem ind is subjectedwhen travelling,may cause the f m i z c to unscrew; also, a time fuze, if not held,

may rotate bodily in the lure socket whenan attem npt is madeto set it. For fixing t i m e fuze, eithera grub screw is providedor a lip turned o em time fuze is punched into recesses cut in t i m eluzesocket; or, in the case of cast-iron fuzes , a steel washeris fitted below t i m e flange of the lure, and punched into therecesses of t i m e lure socket andinto slots cut in t i m e fuze body

or, in exceptional cases, the metal of the shell is punched intothe slots cut in t i m e cast-iron lure body.* The last-mentionedmct lmod is applicable only at filling factories, as specialprecautiqns have to be taken.

All fuzcs arc stamped with their d i s t i r m g m m i s l m i n g number

andmark, the maker’s initials, date and lotnumber ; andthe

same information is given on a label on the lid of t i m e box.-Fuzes tnust not be b r o k e m m d o w m m or tampered with to sali~fy

curiosity as to their internal construction. Time descriptions j imt m notes which follow give all information that is necessary. To

fire a re-assembled fuze is most reprehensible; a prenmal-ure

burst will probably be the result.

* ‘.I. fuze~ob~o1ctefor future inanmmfaetmire.



49 -

PERCUSSION FUZES.

Percussion fuzes are of two main types, viz., direct-actionfuzes andgraze fuzes. Thelatter are further subdividedintodelay andnon-delay fuzes.

Direct-action fuzes and graze fuzes differ fundamentallyin their construction and in tim eir method of operatm on.These differences have an important influence on the effectobtained from t i m e shell.

Direct-action fuzes are instantaneous in their action, t i m e

burst taking place immediately on impact, and the effect iaentirely aboveground. These fuzes are thereforewith H.E.shell of primary use in those situations in which concussionandsplinter effect is desired—for example, against personnelin t i m e open and wire entanglements, and for defensivabarrages andcounter-battery work. Forsmoke andchemicalshell they arenow almost exclusivelyused, as the effect fromthese is entirely aboveground; a lure-which allowed theshell

to bury would rendei~heburst of little value.Toobtain this instantaneous action, the fuzo is . arranged

so that, when prepared for firing, an operative part is ex-posed, and t i m e fuze functions when this part makes violentimpact with t i m e ground, or with an obstruction offeringsufficient resistance. Witlm the No. 1 00 lure used with thepresent- equipment t i m e wire of -entanglements offers a resist-ance sufficient to cause thefuze to act.

With direct-action lures certainty of actiondepends on t i m e -angle of descent and on t i m e design of theoperative part oft i m e fuze, Thus, the No. 1 06 lurewill not act w i t i m certaintyat angles below 6°,and the No. 44 fuze at angles slmgimtlygreater. For angles belowthese a graze fuze may be used,because of t i m e greater certainty in its action; but it is stillpossible to use a- direct-action lure if a proportion’ o f - blindscan O e accepted.

In m m ~ ~razo lure the operative parts are entirely enclosed,and the fuze, instead o f . - rel~’ingon a blow delivered to anactual part of it, depends ~forits action on the check’ to t i m eforward velocity of the shell that occurs-on impact or graze.



50

For this purpose a pellet is mounted inside the fuze in sucha manner that on grazeor impact the pellet, owing to its

inertia, flies forward, causing a needleto strike a detonator.Special arrangementsareprovidedtoguardagainstprematureaction in transport, in handling andin loading; on discharge,while the shell is in the bore; andduring flight, before itstrikes or grazes.

Thepercussion mechanisms of T. P. luresareof thegrazetype.

A graze fure will act cm -rec tly at angles of impact much

smaller than those at whicha direct-action lurecan be usedwith certainty, and it is for this reason that at angles ofdescent belowabout 6°that a grazefuzepresentsadvantages,and fewer blinds are to be expected. But there is anotherand important advantage. The operative parts of the fuzeare entirely enclosed, and no manipulation of the fuzeis necessary to bring the fuze into a condition for loading.‘Uhesc features, on theonehand, facilitate the service of the

gun, and, on the other, give greater safety in handling andin loading.

As at present designed, graze fuzespresent this difficultyby themselves they are not capable of effecting the detona~tion of high-explosive bursting-charges, although adequatewith shells containing gunpowder bursters which require

- s im ply to be ignited. Therefore with H.E. and similar

~hclls a graze fuze must be used in conjunction withagame.In this the flash from the lure is converted into a suitable

initial detonation. With thedirect-action fuzesNos. 44 and1 06 a gameis unnecessary since t i m e lure contains a charge ofhigh explosive whichis arm -anged to be detonatedwhen thelure acts.

As has been explained previously, a direct-action fuze isinstantaneous in its action. A graze fuze is, however, dis-

tinctly slower; it takes an appreciable interval of time forthe pellet to moveforward and fire thedetonator. In somecases the delay is intentionally increased by a suitable filling

- 0 1 the lure or the game.



51 -

Graze fuzes with this added delay are known as “delay”fuzes; without thedelay, as “non.delay” fuzes. Time term“non-delay “ is used only by way of contrast with thedelay

given by “delay” fuzes. Even witim “non-delay” fuzesthere is, as explained above, an appreciable delay in theiraotion, certainly as comparedwith fuzes of thedirect-actiontype, the so-called “instantaneous “lures.

Theuseof a grazelure is largely determinedby the delay.Thus non-delay fuzes areused in high-explosive shells of t i m epresent equipments, for t i m e attackof barricades, walls, breast-

~ works,light

coverand other targets, against which

aburst

~ mmmed i a t e i y after penetration is most effective. The blast~ andsplinter effects are less than those obtainedwith instan- ~ taneous fuzes, andalthough these fuzes can be used for t i m e~ destruction ofwireentanglements, theiruse is wasteful.

-~ The effect from a delay fuze depends on the angle of~- descent, the nature of the ground andthe remaining velocity

~ of the shell. At angles less than 8°, im e shell ricochets, and

~ the burst takes place at a short distance from the point ofimpact; under these conditions shells so fuzedare suitable

~ for the attack of trenches known to be manned, and for~ barrage purposes. But t i m e main use of delay fuzes with~, im igim -explosive shells of t i m e present equipment is for below-

ground effect. If the striking velocity is high and theground suitable, theburst may takeplacesome feet from thepoint of impact ; such bursts are effective against deep over-

head cover, dug-outs and m agaz ines . But in other cases,especiallywhen thelower cim arges areused, theshell d oes notbury so deeply, but gives good crater effect, superior to tim at

obtainedwith anon-delay fure.

Since failure of the fuze has been found in some cases tobe the cause of a premature burst of t i m e shell while it istravelling along the bore, special provision is now made inthe fuze to guard against this; for example, the lure is fitted

with a shutter which blocks the passage between thedetonator andthemagazine andwhich is intended to remaincloseduntil the shell has left the bore. Thedelay used withdelay lures serves t i m e same purpose, since if the lure should





5 3

FUZE, PERCUSSION , DIRECT-ACTION , No. 44.

This fuze is now only issued with the smoko shells of the45-inch equipment, but earlier issues of chem ical and im igh-explosivo shells fittedwith this fuze may be met with.

When issued separately each fuzo is packed in a sealed tincylinder, which may be sufficiently large to take a 14 drs. orupper exploder andan adapter, to enable thefuze to be usedif necessary in a shell prepared to take a graze lure of the

No. 101 typo (p. 61) . The cylinders arc packed in woodboxes, which usually hold 50 f m m z c s , a-nd on each end of thebox is stencilled a symbol in red and resembling an inverted

truncated cone, and whicim is distinctive for this pattern ofthe lure. This symbol is also used on t i m e packages con-taining shells fitted with this fuze.

The body of t i m e fuzo is scrcw-threaded to the GS. gauge,and over tho head of t i m e fuze is fitted a cap. The cap iseither provided with two securing pins, and the safety-pin 15

secured to tho cap by a becket; or, as in later fuzes , a singlesecuring-pin is used, and t h m r o u g i m this the safety-pin isthreaded. Immediately before loading, the cap whicim pro-tects the operative part of the fuze is removed. The pro-cedure is slightly different in tho two cases. In the first casethe securing-pins are withdrawn, the cap turned slightly torelease it, then removed from thehead of the fuze and givena steady poll to withdraw tho safety-pin, t i m e pull being int i m e direction of the length of the pin. With the later designof cap, the securing-pin together with the safety-pin, areremoved by means of the becket attached to it; the cap m st i m e rm turned slightly, when it can be lifted off.

Immediately below the cap is the needle, supported by acopper discoverthedetonator,andbelow this is apassage filledwith O.E., leading to t i m e magazine. This passage is brokenin its length by apivoted shutterkept in position by aspring,

and, during transit, by the safety-pin. Before loading, thesafety-pin is withdrawn. On firing, t i m e spin of the shelltends to cause the shutter to move into the open position inwhichanopening in theshutterand filledwith C.E. is opposite



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the passage leading to themagazine; but while theshell isin the gun—that is, during the period of acceleration—the

shutter sets down on to its supporting platform and theresulting frictional resistance prevents any movement. The

shutter therefore does not open until the shell has left thebore, and consequently acts as a barrier to the detonating

impulse, should the detonator fail under the shock ofdischarge.

On impact the needle disc is driven in, the needle fires the

detonator, and the detonating impulse travels down the

C.E. in the passageand

theshutter

to tho C.E.pellet

whichconstitutes the niagasine; andthis is then detonated.For fixing the fuze in the shell, a slot or square recess is

provided in the cap, to be used in conjunction with the pro-jection at theside of theNo. 5 or No. 19 keys.* When fixing,care should be taken that the fuze is screwed right t1owi~withthebottom of the cap in line with the bush in the shell, andthat the seeuringpins do not foul the bush .

To remove the fuze, the same part of the key may beused. But if greater leverage is required the projection onthe small radius of the keys is inserted in the slot of the cap,the securing-pins, or, in the ease of the Mark V and laterfuzes, the securing.pin and safety.pin being first removed.

Thesecuring-pins, or the securing-pin and safety-pin, mustbe replaced after the fuze has been removed, or if theattempt to remove it is abandoned.

*According to the latest procedure the fuze must not be screwed

directly into the shell. The adapter, if fitted in the shell, is to be removed,the fuze screwed into it, and the combined fuze and adapter screwedIntothe shell.



56

F T J Z E , PERCUSSION, DIRECT ACTION, No. 106 .

T1mi~ fuzo is of the direct-action type. It is usedwith a proportion of the H.E. shells, and with the chemical

and smoke shells Its use i~determined by its ability tofunction immediately on impact, the maximum effect

from these shells being obtained if the bursts take place

entirely above ground. The scnsiti~eness of the fuzeis such that it will act on striking the wire of entanglements.

When issued separately, each fuze is packed in a sealed tincylinder, whichalso contains a trotyl exploder for fitting inthe space normally occupied by thc game. The cylindersarcpacked in wood boxes, which, in order to assist iderm tif ica-tion, have stencilled prominently on them a symbol in redand resembling an upright mushroom.

The Mark III pattern of fuzo is usually employed withthis ammunition; this f m m z e has a cast-iron body.* Otimer

patterns havebodies of brass.The lower part of the body is screw-tim read ed to the 2-ineim

gauge. The upper part continues the general lines of t i m eshell, and is provided on opposite sides with holes to takeeither a tommy-bar or keys, Nos. 16 or 5 3 when thefare Is to be fixed or removed from the shell. Above thescrew-threaded portion of t l m o body is formed a flange toengage t ime seating of the fuze-sooket, and in tho edge of t ime

flange, notches are e m i t if t i m e lure has a cast-iron bodyinto these notcim es the sccaring washer is punched when thefuze is to be fixed in the shell. If t i m e fuze has a brass body,a lip is formed immediately above the flange; by puncim iugthis lip into slots cut in the fuze-socket, t i m e fuze is securedin the sholl.

In the upper part of t i m e body is fitted the percussion-

mechanism, consisting of a hammer with its safety-devices,

namely, supporting collar, brass or copper tape, simearing wireand guide pin. W itim certain fuzes, these parts are carried

No more cast-iron bodies will be manufactnrod



1 —



58

by asteel holderwhichscrews into theupperpartof apassagebored throughthebody; in others im aving brass bodies, theyare fitted directly in the body.

The hammer is of mushroom shape with a rounded head,formed in some patterns by analuminiumpadwhichreceivesthe initial impact and obviates distortion of the hammerstem. The stem of the hammer enters a passage bored inthe bolder. A guide pin and a copper shearing wire arefitted in the holder and engage respectively the upper aridlower ends of a recess cut in t i m e stem. The guidepin pre-

ventsrotation of the hammer and consequent damageto theshearing wire; it also prevents withdrawal of the hammer.

The inner end of the hammer stem is pointed, and im-mediately below this and supported in a plug screwed intot i m e lower part of the steel holder is thedetonator. In somelater issues, a brass disc is, as a refinement for safety, inter-posedbetweenthe endof the stem andthe detonator * ; the

disc is ofastrengthsufficient tosupport t i m e stem andprevent

firing of the detonator, if t i m e former should fracture undert i m e shock of discharge. Below the detonator and coni-municating with it by a passage filled with loose C.E. is t i m emagazine consisting of a G.E. pellet which completely fihl~

the remainder of the passage in the body. The magazineis closed by a screw cap.

The devices w i m i c i m support the hammer are important.

The steel supporting collar split in halves fits between t i m eunderside of the hammer head and the upper face of thesteel holder , It is retained in position by a brass or coppertape passedunderneath one segment andwound three timesround the collar; at the end of t i m e tape is a brass or leadweight. Rotation of t i m e collar is prevented by a pin fittedto one segment andwhichenters a hole boredin the stem.

To protect the hammer, tape, c., during transport and

umitil t i m e moment of loading, acup-shapedsteel cap is screwed

* Fures with this brass disc have time letter “D” added after the mark

of t ime numeral, thue No. 106 MarkhID.





60

and therefore arming of the fuze by therelease of the tapsandsegments cannottake placeuntil accelerationhas ceased,that is, until the shell leaves thebore.

After discharge, thehammer releases itsgrip, and t i m e spinof the shell causes the tape and segments to fly off; thehammer is then supported only by its shearing wire.

On impact the hammer is driven in, shearing the copperwire; thedetonator is fired, detonating t i m e loose C:E. belowit andthis in turndetonates theC.E. magazine.

FUZE PERCUSSION, DIRECT ACTION, No. 106E.

This lure is analternative to theNo. 1 06 andwill eventuallyreplace it. It is identical with the latter fuze except that a

shutter similar to and having the same functions as thatused in theNo. 44 faze, is interposedin thepassageconnecting

thedetonator andmagazine.



61

FUZE, PERCUSSION, No. 101 B.

- This faze is used with a proportion of the [I.E. shells ofthe 4•5-inchequipment. It comprises a body, acap, and an

adapter in mvhich is fitted a shutter. The lower part of thebody is screw-threaded to the 2.inohgauge; the contour ofthe upper part continues the general lines of the shell. Thebody is bored out axially to provide a chamber for t i m e graze

~ pellet, which is prevented from moving forward by a centri-

n fugal bolt, itself locked by a detent pressed upwards by a~ spring.

~ Time simoek of discharge causCs the detent to set back,~,cOmprcssing its spring; and thedetent pin thrown outwards

•by the spin of the shell (see sketch on page 64) , catches under~the shoulder of its recess and prevents return of thedetentn~toits original position. The rotation of the shell then

~:eauses the centrifugal bolt to mo’ve outwards, clearing the

~graze pellet. The latter is restrained from moving forwardJ during flight by a creep spring interposed between t i m e ca~

~ and the pellet.

~ 0 m m graze or impact the pellet dies forward, compressing itscreep spring, and the needle in the cap fires the detonator.Th~flash passes through a passage provided in the graze

pellet, and fires the game which is screwed into t i m e adapter,

itself screwed into a recessin thebase of the fuze.

In the adapter is fittedthe shutter whichprevents t i m e fuzeacting should its detonator fail at the shock of discim arge.The shutter consists of a block fitted to slide in a slot in itsholder and normally held in a closed position masking the

flash-hole to thegame,by a coil spring andadetent, oppositelydisposed with respect to the shutter. Under the spin of theshell, the shutter, owing to its eccentric position, movesoutwards and unmasks the flash-hole; this movement is,

• however, resistedduring the time the shell is passing alongthe bore—that is, while the shell is accelerating—by t i m e

frictional resistance arising from the set-back of t i m e shutteron to its supporting platform.



H \ ).

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‘-I’~N IN NJ



• 63

It is therefore during flight that the shutter moves out-wards; andat the same time the tail of thedetent is releasedfrom its recess in the shutter, moves to one side andprevents

r e t m m r n movement.The fuze is of thedelay or non-delay type according as t i m e

game with which it is fitted, is provided or not with delay.Delay fazes have their caps painted blue.

To distinguishtheNo. 101 E fazes, theboxesin which theyare packed, are marlçed with a black skeleton diamond ifwithout delay, or with a blue diamond enclosing a blue disc,if with delay.

Fuze Graze No. 1 00 was the original fuze of this series.It hadno magazine or shutter, and its action was different.When thegraze pellet moved forward its tail was withdrawnfrom and released a cocked pellet arranged transversely inthe body, see sketch (p. 64) .

Fuze Percussion No. 101 is an earlier pattern of theNo.

101 B f m m z e . It is not provided -with a shutter, but in itsplace may be fittedamagazine in whichmay be incotporatedthe delay. Certain of these fuzes were fitted with a needleof a different pattern, andsubsequently these needles had tobe tested; if found to be satisfactory the caps of the lureswere painted green, or if with delay,partly green and partly

blue.

Fuze Percussion No. 1 02 is the No. i00 fuze converted to

the No. 101 pattern by rem noving the cocked pellet andfittingthedetonator in the graze pellet.



Hf (It\f}.. ~ II~ , If

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65

FUZE, PERCUSSION, No. 103 .

This fuze is used in a proportion of theHE. shells, alterna-tively with the No. 101 type fuzes. It is similar to theNos.101 and 102 fazes except that an adapter is not provided;and the screw-threaded portion of the body is reduced indepth; the game is then carried by an adapter which screwsinto fuze-socket below the fuze. For this purpose, adapterNos. 10 and 12 are used; the latter is provided with

a shutter similar to that used with the No. 101 E fuze.These fuzes may have either brass or cast-iron bodies .

The cast-iron bodies are given a suitable rust-proofingtreatment. This does not give an absolute protection,particularly if thesurfacehas been damaged by rough usage.Every care should therefore be taken that the fazes arekeptas dry as possible.



66

GAINES, Nos. 2 Aim 4.

When a fuzo of the No. 1 00 typ~or a time faze is usedin a shell containing a high-explosive bursting-charge, agame is necessary, see p. 67. The gahie converts theflash from the faze into a detonation necessary for t i m e

send-off of the high-explosive charge.The No. 2 game consists of a steel tube em - sleeve. Time

upper endis threaded to screw into a rm adapter, which in turn

screws into a recess in the base of the faze. When the fuzeis fixed in the shell, the game lies below it in t i m e cavity

formed in the filling (p. 27) ,In the No. 4 game, the adapter is formed in one piece witim

the gaine.body.*Perforated powder pellets in the upper part of the game

are ignited by theflash from the lure; and thestrengthened

flash thenpasses throughthe small opening in thediaphragm,

andignites theexplosive in the detonator. The fulminate ofmercury,when ignited, immediately detonates, and it is herethat the initial detonation is obtained, the change-over fromburning to~detonation being promoted by the conflnemen~given by the diaphragm. The detonating impulse then

passes to and is augmented by t i m e magazine, consisting ofC.E. or picric acid pellets in contact with the detonator.Detonation of the magazine detonates the exploder fitted

belowthegame, and this in tarn detonates thehigh-explosivecharge of the shell.Time differentpatterns of t i m e No. 2 game differ slightly in

details. In the later marks, themagazine is closed by a capinstead of a plug, so giving a smoother end to the game, andthepowderpellets are in part contained in acopper or paperholder.

A proportion of the graze-type fazes arearrangedfor delay

action. The uses of the delay have already been indicated,see p. 51 . The delay may be incorporated in t i m e game.For this purpose a pellet of compressed mealed gunposvder

* Obsolete future manufacture,



• fl. -

r ‘~~c •

m — i _ ~ ~I~J ~ltI I ~ ‘~

>‘ • • ~ ( (IJ ~ fI Si~Il ~•—• ‘~

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68

is fitted above theperforated powder pellets; t i m e pellet ispressed either directly in t i m e game as in the Mark I, or inthe holder for the perforated poliet as in the later marks.

The delay pellet is ignited by t i m e flash from the faze andhas to be burnt throughbefore theperforatedpowderpelletsare ignited, when the detonation of the game follows im-mediately. Thedelay is approximately 0.04 of a second.

Gaines provided with this delay are distingdlshed by ablue bandpainted roundtheirbodies. Othermarkings foundon earlier issues are a red band if the magazine is of C.E.,or a yellow band if of pici-ic acid; but as gaines arenot now

filled witlm t i m e hatter explosive, tim ese markings are nowomitted



60

TIME, AND TIME AND PERCUSSIONjFUZES.

Shrapnel, star and incendiary shells, and also H.E. shellsfor air-ranging, o.,are fitted with time or time and per-

cussion fazes. Such a laze provides for thebursting of theshell at any instant during its fligim t, at the expiration of a m m

interval of time which is regulated by the setting of the lure

previous to loading. According to the setting, a longer orshorter length of composition, ignited at discharge, isallowed to burn before exploding a small magazine of gun-

~powder, which communicates a flash to the opening charge~-ofthe shell. A time and percussion faze also includes aperc~m zsionmechanism of t i m e graze type (p. 50) , intended to

~;ensureaction on graze orimpact, should thetime portion fail•~or should it be set longer than the actual range either byaecident or by design.

m m the fuzes used with the present equipment the corn-‘~positions pressed into two rings, and setting is effected by:iadjusting the position of one of these with respect to theci faze body; the second ring is fixed. The rings are secured~ together and to the body by the cap of thefaze.

~ Fuzes of this type are of two kinds, “tensioned” fuzesand “clamping” luzes. With tensioned fazes, the cap isscrewed up during manufacture so as to exert s u f f i c i e m m tpressure on the rings, and then securely fixed; and to effect

a setting it is necessary only to manipulate the movabletime ring, the tension being sufficient to enable this to bedone with the key provided. But with clamping fazesthe cap is not fixed; and to set the faze it is necessaryto unscrewthe cap, give the necessarymovement to t i m e rmng,

and then screwup the cap tightly so as to clamp~he ringsecurely in position.

A clamping faze cannot therefore be set so quickly; but

on theother hand it provides greater security in the main-tenance of the setting as is explained below. It is necessary,however, after clamping that the ring should be held sotightly that it cannot be turnedwith the fingers; and in all



70

cases thesetting should be checked to see that no movement

of the ring has taken place.

With the ring type of fuzes, the pressure applied to therings prevents any accidental movement between t i m e actsof setting and loading; it seals the gases produced by theconihustioa of the composition, limiting the burning to its

endface, and at the same time giving the confinement neces-sary to ensurecorrect burning; it also prevents the entry ofany propellant gases that might pass over the shell. If,therefore, the proper pressure is not applied to the rings, apremature or a blindmay result.

It is foundwith fazes of the tensioned typo that there isin some cases, particularly after repeated re-setting, a h a m s oftension. Thepossible effects of such a loss havealready beensuggested. When correctly tensioned, it is impossible toturn the ring with the fingers; therefore if it can be turnedeasily it may be taken that thereis a loss of tension, and the

fuze should be rejected. No attempt should be mode by a

manipulation of the cap either to tighten a loose ring, or torelease a ring found to be immovable; it is impossible withthe keys provided to tighten the cap of a tensioned fazesatisfactorily.

The rate of burning of a time Iuze depends on thepressureprevailing at the burning surface, and this again dependson tho pressure at the outlets through which the gases pro-duced by the burning of the composition exhaust into the

atmosphere; according as this pressure is lower so the gasesexhaust more freely and by decreasing the accumulation ofheat at the burning surface, lower the rate of burning.During eight, thepressureat the outlets depends largely onthe rate of revolution of the shell, its translatory velocity,the shape of the faze, the position of the outlets with respectto the faze-body, and to a minorextem it on theheight to which

the shell is fired; in the result, the time of burning may be

distinctly longer than the nominal time of burning at rest.Again, as the angular and translatory velocities of the shelldepend on the piece from which it is fired andon thechargesused, the settings required to give thesame actual times of





72

FtJZE, TIME AND PERCUSSION, No. 82 (40 seconds).

This faze is used with t i m e incend.iary* shells of thisequipment.

The body is of aluminium, and the time rings of brass.The lower portion of the body is screw-threaded to the2-inch gauge up to the shoulder, which screws down on tothe seating of thefaze-socket. A platform is formedabove,on whichrests the lower time ring. Above timis is the uppertimering, secured against rotary movement, andretained bya cap which screws on to the upper part of t i m e stem of the

body. The cop is tightened so as to exert a pressure on t i m etime rings, thepressurebeingsuch timat thelower ringrequiresa standard “tension “tomoveit; the cap is then securedbyits set-screw.

To set the faze, the lower ring is turned with the keyprovided until the setting mark is opposite the desiredreadingon the scale engraved on the fazebody.

Each ring I m a s a groove on its underside, forming a circle,broken by a bridge of solid metal. The composition

is pressed into these grooves. When the faze is set atsafety—that is, with the setting mark opposite the red staron the body—thebridges of the upper andlower time ringsi m m a s k the flash holes to the lower ring andmagazine respec-tively. This provides a double safety; and fazes should bekept set in this position during transport, either in their

tins or when fitted to the shells.Both time rings are providedwith gas-escape holes closed

by brass discs. In the upper time ring a m m U the stem of thebody is fitted the mechanism for igniting the com npositionwhen the shell is dischargedfrom the gun. When the timesafety-pin is withdrawn the safcty.pellet is then only sup-ported by its shearing wire. Time wire is sheared at theshock of discharge, and the pellet sets back into a recess,

allowing three centrifugal bolts to fly out by centrifugal

Fuzes , T. and P., Non. 83 and 83R , mayb e used in incendiary m~he l1 i

a~an alternative tofuz~,T. and P., No. 82.



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74

action and so release the detonator pellet, which also ifiesoutwards, carrying thedetonator on to a needle fitted in theupper timering. The resulting flash firesa perforatedpowder

pellet, which in turn ignites the composition in the upper

ring. The composition burnsround in thedirection in whichthe shell is rotating until the flame. reaches the opening inthe upper faceof the lowerring at t i m e commencement of itscomposition. A powder pellet is fitted in this passage toensure more certain ignition. Thepellet is firedby the flashfrom the upper ring, igniting the composition in the lowerring, which burns round in the reverse direction until the

flame reachesa powderpellet in the upperpart of a diagonalchannel leading to themagazine.

The percussion safety.pin, which locks the ~pereussionpellet, is removedat thetime of loading. On rotation of tineshell the centrifugal bolts are spun out of their recesses inthe pellet, but any tendency to creep forward during flightis prevented by a spiral spring. On graze or impact t i m e

pellet is carriedforward, compressing the creep spring and

firing thedetonator, and the flash ignites tho magazine.For setting Key No. 36 is used. The peg on the key is

inserted in the recessin thelower time ring. When fixing or

removing the fuze, key No. 19 is used, t i m e peg at the endoftho curved portion being engaged in the slot in the fazebcdy; theinner face of tho curvedportion is bevelled so asto seat firmly on t i m e sloping part of the body. The key isdouble-ended, and the ends are markedIN and OUT, to be

used according as the faze is to be screwed into or removedfrom the shell.



75

FUZE, TIME AND PERCUSSION Ncs. 83 Ar~p83fl

30 seconds).

These fazes are used in H.E. shells for air-ranging, e.

They may also be used in incendiary shells; they arealterna-tive to faze, T. andP., No, 82 .

In this faze t i m e construction and arrangement of the timerings is similar to that ofNo. 82 fuzedescribed above, but t i m elighting and percussion mechanisms are different, and as t I m e

fazes are of the c l a m m m p i n g type~ p . 00 , t i m e procedure for

setting is different. The cap is not permanently secured tot i m e body, but is provided with a screwdriver slot to take

key No. 48. ‘W hen tine faze is to be sot, the cap is loosenedW it lm this key ; tito lower time ring is then turned to thedesired setting either witim the fingers or witim key No. 18;the cap screwed up tightly so tim at t i m e ring cannot be turned

t i m e setting checked. The time ofburningof t i m e fazeset fullis approxinm ately 30 seconds, but t i m e scale is graduated in

equal divisions from 0 to 22 . Faze lcngtlm s do not tlm ereforeapproximately agree with t i m e times of burning.

Thelighting m u c c i m a i m i s m i m is fitted in a passagebored in thethickened portion of the upper time ring, or in a recess atthe side or centre of t i m e stem of t i m e body. In t i m e earlier

patterns t i m e ligim ting pellet fitted with a detonator is sup-ported on a stirrup spring, and, in addition, a safety-pin tob~removed immediately before loading, is fitted below t i m epellet to prevent a r m y movement during transport; but inlater patterns the stirrup spring is replaced by a coil spring,a m m l the needle is moved fartim er from thedetonator, and t i m esafety-pin is omitted. But in both eases the action is t i m eSam e . At theshock of discharge t i m e pellet sets back, eitherStraightening out t i m e arms of the stirrup or com pressing thecoil spring, and the needle fires the dctom m ator; t i m e resulting

m aim tim en ignites a perforated powder pellet at the com-mencement of the composition of the upper time ring.

~ Some earlier j,,uea were of the tensioned type. Theac have not the~orewdriver1otin the cap.



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77

The No. 83 R fuzes correspondto theearliermarksof No. 83fuzes , except that the stirrup springs are weaker, so thatthe lighting mechanismwill arm with a lower acceleration of

the shell. The later patterns of the No. 83 fuze, in whichthe lighting pellet is supported by a coil spring, are designedto arm at theselower values of acceleration. TodistinguishtheNo. 83 It fuzes their caps arepainted black.

The percussion pellet fitted with a detonator occupies arecess in thelowerpart of the body. A stirrup spring, fittingover the top of the pellet, supports a ferrule, which acts asa distance-piece between the pellet and the body, and pre-

vents tho needle from touching the detonator; in addition,a metal ball is interposed between the pellet and the top ofthe recess, and acts as an additional safeguard. At theshock of discharge the ferrule sets back over the pellet,straightening out the arms of the stirrup spring, but thepellet is preventedfrom rebounding bytheballwhichremains

in position in front of the pellet. During flight the ball,owing to centrifugal action, moves outwards into a recess in

the body, arid the pellet is prevented from creeping forwardby a coil spring, which has a bearing on a flange formedround the base of the pellet. On impact, the pellet theaforward, compressing the creep spring, and carries thedetonator on to theneedle. Th~esulting flash passesthroughapassage in thepellet andfiresthemagazine of thefuze.

For fixing or removing the fuze, keys Nos. 17 or 32 araused.



78

FUZE, T. P., No. 88 48 seconds).

This faze is employed in H.E. shells for air-burst ranging.It is a variant of theNo. 83 fazewimich to give a longer timeof burning has the lower ring filled with slow-burning com-position. This ring is lacqueredred.

Adapter, 2-inch furs hole, No. Il—This adapter is used inconjunctionwith fuze T. P. No. 83 in higlm -explosive shellsintended for air-ranging ; it both supports t i m e game andprovides a safety-device for guarding t i m e filling simould thefuze act prematurely. The safety-device is a shutter. T im isis of the same type, a block moving in a slot, as thatof t i m e shutter of t i m e No. hOlE fuze, but it h m a s a r n u c h mgreater sealing area; and it is this whieim determines

its use, as the f l a s i m from t i m e No. 83 fuze is much morepowerful than timat of t i m e percussion fazes Nos. 1O1E and

103 , and couldnot be sealed by t i m e shutters i m s e d with thesefuzea.

Themeansfor retainingthe shutterin position aredifferent.

It is held in its closed position by a detent, the tail of whichprojects from t i m e bed across which tine shutter moves. Ont i m e shock of discharge the detent sets back, and t i m e spin of

t i m e shell causes its tail to move outwards so that, when theSpring re.asserts itself, tine tail engages a shoulder at t i m eupper part of the passage, and further movement is pro-veim ted . T lm ere is, therefore, no possibility that the detentwill regain its original position and hold the shutter closed.

The shutter is arranged so that, in t i m e closed position, itscentre Qf gravity is slightly displaced towards thedetent endof the slot, and the centrifugal action set up by the spin of

t i m e s i m e h l tends to cause the shutter to move further in thisdirection. But during the time the shell is accelerating U m e

shutter is pressed tightly on to its bed , and t i m e frictionalresistance which results from this pressure overcomes t i m e



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80

centrifugal effect, and the shutter remains stationary. It isonly when this pressure is released—that is, when the shellleaves the bore—that centrifugal action takes effect ; the8hutter then moves outwards, unmasking the flash-hole to

.the game.



81

PRESERVATION OF FLJZES.

As previouslymentioned, fuzes deteriorate if thedetonators~r fillings become damp. Time injury is permanent, andtends to increase with time, although theremaybe no furtherexposure. Damp acts on the detonators and also on thefaze composition; t i m e effect on t i m e lattor has already beenreferred to (p. 71) . If tho detonators aro affected, blinds orunsatisfactory bursts will be the result. Precautions havetherefore to be taken to protect t i m e fazes. Particularly is

this necessary with time fuzes. With t i m e percussion fuzesusedwith timeso equipments, it mnay be taken timat they have

been adequately sealed to meet all ordinary conditions.Fuzcs, when issim ed separate from the shells, are packed in

tin cylinders, the lids of w i m i e i m arc sealed by a tin stripsoldered on or by a tape band secured w i t i m shoilac cement.Time cylinder simould not be openedsooner than is necessary,~nd then, if possible, in a dry atm ospim ero.

When in tine shell, fuzes areprotectedby acarefulsealing oft i m e fuze-socketandof t i m e grub-screw holes; in addition, t i m etime fazes are protected by sealed covers, and tho joints oft i m e fuze-body arewaterproofed.

To waterproof a time fuze, waterproofing composition isrubbed into the joints of the t i m m m e rings and into t i m e gas-escape holes. Ifwaterproofing composition is not available,

unth~nnedMark III hating n m m a y be used ; but this tends todeteriorate and crumble wimcn in contact with tin. rubbercovers. When a faze is sot, t i m e waterproof seal is brokenif the fuze is not to ho used inuniediately the seal simouldbe re-made and acover fitted.

Covers areused only with tinme and T. P. fuzes. W ithpercussion fazes covers are unnecessary since all joints aresealed during manufacture; but t i m e caps of the No. 1 06

type fazes should be kept screwed down tightly on to thedermatine washers. With the fazed ammunition of thepresent equipment flexible indiarubber covers are used.These covers are mnoulded to the shape of the fuze, andare



82

of a length sufficient to pm-oject well on to the shell ; there-fore they seal t i m e fuze-soeket. Themethodof fitting thecoveris as fo llows :— A ll gm-ease, waterproofing composition and

luting aro wiped from t i m e faze and the nose of t i m e s i m e l lt i m e cover and thefaze, if wet, are carefully dried; acompletering of Pettnian’s cement is painted round the nose of theshell immediately below the flange of t i m e luze, care beingtaken that the cement does not spread on to tine scale so asto obliterate the markings; t i m e cover is then fittedwith itsprotecting washier opposite tho setting stud ; the cover issmoothed down by h m a n d until it is pressed well on to t~ho

fuze, pressure on t i m e studs being avoided sinco the coveris easily cut by their sharp edges ; t i m e lower edge is thenpressed on to the ring of l’ettm anm ’s cement, and the jointmade doubly secure by a coating of the same material.

T ndiar im bber covers harden and crack on storage; theyiuay also be torn or cut if the rounds arenot handled with

care. The covers must tim erefore be frequently inspected.If found to bo deteriorated or damaged, they should bereplacedimmediately.



83

GLoSsARY.Adjusted chcirgc.—A cim argeof propellant adjusted in weight

w i m e m i at a temperature of SO°F., so as to, give the n o n m m a lvelocity in anew gun.

Ballistite.—A propellant in t i m e form of square flakes, a m i dconsisting of a mixture of guncotton and nitro-glyeerine,gelatinisedby acetone; t i m e flakesmaybe graphited. For the4~~-ineiiowitzer bahhistite A is used—that is, bailistite oftine modified A composition. Its size, 71 , reprcsemmts t i m ethickness of tine flakes in thousandtlm s of an inch.

B.L. Anuimumitiom.—Aminiunjtion in w i m i c h i the s i m c i l andcartridge arc separate, a m i d t i m e cartridge consists of a.pro~

pellant cim arge in a fabric bag. The sealing devices for thebreeclm -opening are carried entirely by the g u n m .

Composition Exploding or O E — high-explosive whichis readily detonated; used in gaines, and certain fuzes andexploders.Cordite.—A propellant iii the form of cords, sticks, or

strands, anti consisting of a mixture of guncotton, im i tro-glycerine and mineral jelly, gelatinised by acetone; gives

im i g im temperatures i m i t i m e cimaimiber ; commonly termed Cor- hitO, Mark I. its size is detcrm niocd approximately by itsdiameter in hundredths ofan i n c i m .Cordite M.D.—Corditc (Mark I m nodified by a rcdim ction in

t i m e proportion of m iitro-glycerine so as to give lower tempera-tures in the eimamber , and less erosion.Cord its M.D.T.—A tubular form of Cordite M.D.Cordite it. D.B—----A cordite propellant giving t i m e samo

ballistics as Cordite M.D. , but made up with adifferent formof guncotton. R.D.B. is an abbreviation for Research

D epartnm en t “B” formula.Cordite R.DB. Square Flake—A flake form of Cordite

R.D.B. For the 4-5-inch howitzer, size 2 /50 is used. The

size is represented by t i m e thickness andthelength of thesidein hundredths of a im inch.• Detonatiomr.—Tho norm nal explosive action of l m i g h explo-

sives; results from a detonating wave moving with extremerapidity through the substance. Time action being so ex-tremely rapid, the resulting blow is correspondingly moreviolent andbrusque. Compare ExplosionDirect-Act ion or D.A. Euzes.—A percussion faze which

fum ictions o i m i y when a blow is actuallydelivered to theopera-tive part ; instantaneous in its action.



84

Exploder, Expldr. or Expr — small chargeof hm igh-explo-sive fitted into a cavity in high-explosive and other fillings,and the detonation of whicheffects tine send- oil of the maincharge, or t i m e burst of t i m e shell.

Explosion.—The normal explosive action withpropel1ants~

Tine action consists of progressive burning ; each layer israised to its ignition temperature by heat directly tunis-nutted from t i m e layer preceding it. CompareDetonation.Gram-Action Fuze.—A percussion faze which fauctions

wineni tim forward velocity of the shell is checked. There isaslight delay in n its action ; in some cases tine delay is inten-tionally increased.

0.8.—General service.0.8. G auge .— Ono of t i m e gauges of the screw-threaded

portion of faze holes ; one inch across, andslightly tapered.JJigh-explorive or 1LE.—An explosive w i t h m wimich the

normal explosive action is detommation ; usedfor filling shells,oxploders, fazes anddetonators. -

N.C.T. or Nitro-Celtulose T’mthular.—A propellant consisting

of gelatinised nitro-ceilulose. Contains no nitro-glycerine

Made up as short cylinders, pierced iom m gitud inah ly with one

or more holes. Tine diameterof t i m e cylinders oxpi-essed inhundredths of an ineim gives t i m e size of the propellant.

Quick-Firinq or Qf Am nm unilion .— Atm unun ition in which

tho propellant einarge is contained in a brass ease wimich isfittedwith t i m e nneans of ignitiom i, andwhich in t i m e gun actsas a scaling device for t i m e breecim -opening.

R.L.—The abbrcviatiom m or m nonogram markedon anununi-

tioni to denote that it hasbeen manmufactum-ed or filled at t i m eRoyal Laboratory, W oolwicln.

Time f f ’ Percussion, or T. ~C’1 ’ 1~m~es—Fuzeshat canalternatively bemade to function after a predeterminedtime

Documents

Notes on Ammunition for QF 4.5in Howitzer