DESCRIPTION: This fuze can be used in place of fuze A.Z. 23 v. and appears to be an attempt to overcomes some of the difficulties that have been encountered with the lat-ter.

Externally, it is similar to A.Z. 23 v. and as in the case of the latter, it is fitted with an optional delay which is operated externally in a similar manner.

The fuze is constructed largely of steel.

Internally it is similar to A.Z. 23 v, except for some modifications.

The wooden hammer extension is longer and that part of the fuze body containing it is hollow.

As in the A.Z. 23 v there is a steel striker and a detonator pellet which are kept apart by centrifugal segments which are kept closed by a split spring. The holder for the detona-tor pellet is made of plastic. There are 6 aluminum centrifugal segments. In this fuze, however, there is in addition a detent which  prevents the "opening" segment from open-ing until after firing, i.e., the detent sets back on firing and so permits the segments to open out through centrifugal force during deceleration. A creep spring is present. (See fig. 587.)

The lower part of the fuze shows some modification. Below the detonator pellet is an aluminum plate containing a central flash hole and a flash hole to the side which contains a delay element. The latter joins the central flash hole at its base. There is no gunpow-der magazine. The central flash hole is covered by a plate which is kept in place by a se-micircular spring. This plate can move outwards or remain fixed, depending on the setting of the index peg.

OPERATION:

Before Firing. The striker is separated from the detonator by the centrifugal segments which are retained in the closed position by their spring. The shutter of the delay me-chanism closes the central fire channel by the pressure of its spring.

To set the fuze nondelay action, the slot in the index plug is turned to a position parallel to the axis of the fuze thereby permitting the shutter to slide out under centrifugal ac-tion when in flight. For delay action the plug is turned until the slot is positioned at right angles to the fuze axis and in alignement with the stampings M and V 0,5 on the ballsitic cap; in this position the plug retains the shutter in the closed position.

On Firing: The detent locking the centrifugal segments sets back, the spring surrounding the segments expands, and the segments swing outwards one after the other under centrifugal action thus allowing the striker and inertia pellet free movement towards each other. The creep spring however prevents creep action. If the fuze is set for delay ac-tion, the setting plug retains the shutter which masks the central flash channel. If the fuze is set for nondelay action, the position of the setting plug permits the shutter to slide outwards and unmask the central flash channel.

On Impact. The striker is forced on to the detonator by direct action. On graze the inertia pellet carries the detonator on to the striker. The flash from the detonator passes either through the central flash channel or the delay channel according to the setting of the fuze.

Figure 587 – A.Z. 1