Part 2 - Pistols, Fuzes, and Detonators; Chapter 2: Nose Pistol No. 38 Mks I, IM, II, IIM, III, and IVPart 2 - Pistols, Fuzes, and Detonators; Chapter 2: Nose Pistols No. 45 Mks I and II, and No. 52 Mks I and II (Service)
BRITISH EXPLOSIVE ORDNANCE
Part 2 - Chapter 2
Pistols

British Nose Pistols No. 44 Mks I, II, and III, and No. 55 Mk I (Service)

Data
Bombs used in G.P. 250-lb. Mk IV, G.P. 500-lb. Mk IV, G.P. 1,000-lb. Mks I and II, G.P. 1,900-lb., G.P. 4,000-lb., and all M.C. and H.C. bombs
Action Instantaneous on impact; diaphragm operated
Armed condition When vane cap is removed
Fuzes used with Tail Pistols No. 28 and 30
Vane span No. 44, 4 in.; No. 55, 7.5 in.
Body diameter 1.75 in.
Over-all length 3.8 in.
Color Brass

Description: The pistol consists of a vane cap, body, and body extension, all of which are made of brass. The vane cap of the Pistol No. 44 is cast and has five vanes. The No. 55 has four vanes. There are two small holes on opposite sides of the cap for the safety pin. There is a steel stop pin in the top of the vane cap, and a similar one on the pistol body to prevent the cap from being screwed down too tightly. A steel retain-ing disc is threaded in the upper pistol body  above the diaphragm. In this disc are drilled seven holes to allow air passage. Under the retaining disc is a 1¼-in. sheet-brass dia-phragm to which is soldered a 3 1/8-in. steel needle striker which passes down into the body extension. There are two air-pressure holes in the pistol body to equalize air pres-sure under the diaphragm, preventing firing due to air compression while the bomb is fall-ing. A brass locking ring is located around the pistol body.

Operation: The safety pin is removed manually when the bomb is loaded aboard the plane, and the vanes are freed to rotate upon release. The vane cap falls away after about 13 revolutions, leaving the steel disc and diaphragm exposed. Detonation occurs on impact, or by the blast wave of the preceding bomb. It has been reported that the diaphragm has also been reversed by the cushion of air built up beneath the bomb as it nears the ground.

Remarks: The Pistol No. 44 Mk II is similar to the Mk I, except that the two air vents in the side of the pistol are replaced by three air vents in the base of the pistol body.

The Pistol No. 44 Mk III differs from the Pistol Mk II in several respects. The vane cap is retained by a new-type safety clip, the hook end of which locates in a hole in one of the arming vanes, while the plain end passes through the single hole in the vane cap and engages a safety-pin groove in the pistol body. The two safety-pin holes in the vane cap and the four notches in the top edge of the body are omitted. The air-pressure re-lief groove is diametrically opposite the safety-pin groove, and extends from the top of the body to a point level with the top of the safety pin groove.

The Pistol No. 55 Mk I is identical to the No. 44 Mk III, except that four aneometer-type vanes are used. The pistol is used in the two off-center nose fuze pockets of H.C. bombs having three nose fuze pockets. These pistols are designed to replace the Pistol No. 27.

Figure 135 - Nose Pistol No. 44 Mk II

Part 2 - Pistols, Fuzes, and Detonators; Chapter 2: Nose Pistol No. 38 Mks I, IM, II, IIM, III, and IVPart 2 - Pistols, Fuzes, and Detonators; Chapter 2: Nose Pistols No. 45 Mks I and II, and No. 52 Mks I and II (Service)