Nose or Tail Pistol No. 35 Mk I (Service)

Description: This pistol is of the chemical long-delay type, and has a two-piece body. The upper body is truncated cone containing a plunger, which is spring-loaded downward. This spring is compressed when the safety fork is under the plunger cap. The upper body screws onto the flanged lower body, in which is carried the acetone ampoule, covered by a rubber disc to prevent the escape of acetone into the upper body. Beneath the acetone ampoule are celluloid discs, which hold up the striker retaining screw. The striker retaining screw is attached to the spring-loaded striker. The diameter of the lower end of the pistol body is reduced to fit into the detonator.

Operation: When the bomb is dropped, the safety fork is pulled, and the plunger is forced down by its spring onto the acetone ampoule. The ampoule is broken and the acetone allowed to flow down onto the celluloid discs, softening them enough to allow the spring-loaded striker to pull the striker retaining screw free, thus forcing the firing pin down onto the detonator.

Remarks: The chemical delay of the pistol is from 5 hours to 140 hours, with setting varied as in the Chemical Long-Delay Pistol No. 37. It must be assumed that the acetone ampoule is broken if the bomb has been dropped, even though the safety fork is still in place. No anti-withdrawal device is used with this pistol as yet.

Figure 131 - Nose or Tail Pistol No. 35 Mk I