(Plate XV)

Fuzes are either issued unpainted, painted or rustproofed according to the material of which they are made. For example, fuzes made of aluminium, brass and plastic are not normally painted, whereas steel fuzes are painted, usually the same colour as the shell in which they are used, or rustproofed.

The nomenclature of nose fuzes is usually stamped on the body just above the edge which butts against the wall of the shell or adapter and includes the date of manufacture and trade mark of the manufacturer. Base fuzes are usually stamped in a similar manner on the exposed surface of the base of the fuze.

Percussion fuzes are generally designated by a serial number following letters which de-note the type of fuze, e.g. "A.Z. 23" meaning percussion fuze, type 23. If any variation from the original design has been made, appropriatle letters are added to the nomencla-ture; the original serial number remains unaltered. The same procedure is applied when the fuze has been modified for use in projectiles other than those for which it was origi-nally designed, or when redesigned for another weapon.

Fuzes designed to provide for optional delay action are stamped with figures denoting the time of delay in seconds, e.g. (0.25). These figures are either included in the nomen-clature or are stamped near the setting mechanism. In addition they are stamped with letters M V and O to indicate the setting for delay and non-delay action. The letters M and V are normally diametrically opposed, and the slot in the plug is brought into align-ment when delay action is required.

Some fuzes are designed with alternative delay settings in which case the fact is inclu-ded in the nomenclature stamped on the fuze, e.g. "A.Z. 23 umg. m. 2 V". This particular example has a safe position marked "+".

Percussion fuzes that are not numbered are designed for a specified equipment and the calibre is given in its nomenclature. Two examples are:–

3,7 cm Kpf.Z.Zerl.P (3.7 cm Flak).

5 cm Kpf.Z.Zerl.P. (5 cm Flak).

The letters "Zerl.P." signify a powder burning self-destroying element: "Kpf.Z." means nose fuze.

Base percussion fuzes have the prefix letters "Bd.Z." stamped on them, and if they are of naval origin, the letter "C" with an oblique includes the calibre of the equipment and the nature of the projectile in which it is to be used.

Bd.Z. f. 7,5 cm Pzgr. = Base fuze for 7.5 A.P. projectile.

Bd.Z. f. 15 cm Gr. 19 Be = Base fuze for 15 cm anti-concrete shell, model 19.

Bd.Z. C/38 = Naval origin base fuze type 38.

With these fuzes the M and V are usually stamped together as "MV" and the slot aligned with them to obtain delay action. If alternative delay is provided the stampings K V (short delay) and G V (long delay) will be found.

The presence of a delay unit in the older igniferous type of base fuze is not indicated by marking, but some of the oldest which are neither numbered nor designated by calibre are stamped with the letters "mV" on the underside indicating "with delay" i.e. a delay fitment not of the optional setting type.

German fuzes of this nature that have been captured are all of the mechanical type. (Fuzes of the combustion type that are in use have their origin in occupied countries.)

These fuzes do not belong to a numbered series. The number or numbers stamped on them refer to seconds of time.

In both types the nomenclature is followed by the letters "S" and an oblique stroked pre-ceding the number(s) reffered to above.

A single number denotes the maximum time interval from zero to which the fuze can be set. Two numbers, separated by an oblique, indicate a fuze in which the maximum time of running has been altered in the design, the first figure referring to the actual time of running; while two numbers separated by a hyphen denote the maximum and minimum time between which the fuze will function.

Fuze can be set to function from zero to 30 seconds.

Fuze will not function below 45 seconds. Maximum run-ning time = 125 sec.

Additional stampings, such as Fg., n.A., s, etc., are fully described in Appendix F.

Very little descriptive painting or stencilling is done on German fuzes, the only known marking of this nature being:–

Fuze for use in mountain guns. (This fuze is also stamped "Geb" in the fuze designation).

Red band or ring

On the 3,7 cm Kpf.Z.Zer.P., M.P. and M.A. fuzes to denote the self-destroying element does not func-tion.