Fig. 8

This fuze has only been found in 15 cm shells. It is generally similar to the AZ. 23 Rh.S. (0.25) previously described – the only difference being in its dimension and in the delay mechanism.

It consists chiefly of a brass body, a fixed lower ring and an upper setting ring which can be turned by means of notches, using a special key. The lines at O.V. and M.V. can thus be brought to coincide with the lines marked on the body and lower fixed ring.

The fixed lower ring is screwed and pinned to the body. It bears on a shoulder on the setting ring an thus scures it in position. The setting ring on the underside is formed with three distinct bearing planes by means of which the delay mechanism is actuated.

Delay mechanism.

This differs from the AZ. 23 (0.25) fuze, in the control mechanism. In this case the cop-per plate instead of being free in relation to the centrifugal bolt is attached to it by a small pin. Displacement of the centrifugal bolt and consequently the copper plate under the effects of centrifugal force can be prevented by the stem of a detent which is ac-tuated by a spring.

The position of this detent is controlled by the bearing planes of the setting ring. When Part 1 of the bearing planes is over the detent (setting M.V.) as shown is section in Fig. 8, the stem of the latter protudes into the space in which the centrifugal bolt is positio-ned and prevents its movement. The central channel is thus closed and the fuze can only function on delay.

When Part 2 or 3 of the setting planes (setting O.V.) is brought over the detent, the latter is free to move slightly longitudinally and, under pressure from its spring, its tip is withdrawn from behind the centrifugal bolt. The bolt can then move outwards and com-press its spring thus withdrawn the copper plate and  leaving the central channel of the fuze clear.

It will be observed that the setting cap has three bearing planes, althrough only two are required in this fuze. The reason for this is that the setting cap is identical with that used with the AZ. 23 umg. M.2.V. (which is similar to the AZ. 23 (0.8) umg.) in which the three settings (no delay, 0.2 delay, 0.8 delay) are used. In this case, the three planes are necessary. It is, thereforce, probably with a view to securing standardisation that the fuze described here has three planes as in the corresponding setting cap of the AZ. 23 umg. M.2.V.

Fig. 8