ALLIED BOMBS AND FUZES

DESIGNATION

PRINCIPAL MARKING

Pistol No. 44

CLASSIFICATION

Pistol, Nose, Aerial Burst

Mk I

TYPE OF MISSILE

No. 44 - G.P.;

Pistol No. 45

No. 45 F & G.P.

Mk I & II

MARKINGS:

Mark Number stamped

BOMBS USED IN:

von vane cap.

No. 44 - G.P. Bombs
No. 45 - 20 lb Frag. & 40 lb. G.P.

LEGEND

1

5

2

6

3

7

4

8

COLOR

Unpainted steel or Black.

OVERALL LENGTH

2.5 inches.

OVERALL WIDTH

Vanes - 4.0 inches; Body - 1.725 inches.

VISIBLE LENGTH

1.6 inches (with vane cap), 1.1 inches (w/o vane cap).

MATERIAL OF CONSTRUCTION

Steel and brass.

DESCRIPTION

The pistol consists of the arming vane cap (2) which screws onto the pistol body. A thin diaphragm (7) with a striker (4) attached is housed in the pistol body. A retaining ring (3) holds the diaphragm in place. A cotter pin (6) holds the vane cap (2) in the safe position.

OPERATION

The dropping of the bomb, or its release from the small bomb container, allows the vane cap (2) to unscrew and fall off, thus exposing the diaphragm (7). The bombs are drop-ped in sticks of four to six bombs. The first bomb to strike the target is detonated by action of its tail fuze. The blast wave then strikes the diaphragms of the other pistols which are following close behind, and causes the pistols to function in the air. If the blast wave fails to cause the pistol to function, the bomb is detonated on impact by action of the tail fuze.

It is reported that the pistol may be set off by its own "cushion" of air which is built up as the bomb gets down to serveral inches above the ground.

POSITION & METHOD OF FIXING IN BOMB

Screwed into nose of bomb and secured by the locking ring (5).

FUZES LIKELY TO BE FOUND WITH

Mechanical Impact Tail Pistols.

COMPONENTS OF EXPLOSIVE TRAIN

The pistol is to be used only in conjunction with sensitive type detonators.

ARMING TIME

Seven or eight revolutions.

BRITISH DESIGNATION

Pistol, Bomb, Nose, No. 44 Mk I
Pistol, Bomb, Nose, No. 45 Mk I or II