EMPLOYMENT: Mechanical Impact Base Fuze used on German 8.8-cm A.P. projectiles. (See fig. 610.)

DATA:

Over-all length: 2.50 inches.

Maximum diameter: 2.563 inches.

Thread length: 0.75 inch.

Number of threads: 6 RH.

CONSTRUCTION: This fuze is similar in construction to the fuze used on the 7.5-cm A.P.C. shell. The centrifugal segments of the customary arming device are of light alloy rather than brass and a steel detonator holder replaces the brass type. A light creep spring is incorporated as an added safety feature between the detonator holder and the fixed firing pin. The flash is transmitted through four holes surrounding the striker to a compression chamber closed by a coned brass disk with a pin-point hole leading to the booster.

ACTION: Centrifugal force causes the centrifugal segments to expand the copper ring releasing the inertia pellet containing the primer. Upon impact, the primer overcomes the creep spring and impinges upon the fixed striker. The flash, after passing through the four holes below the striker, builds up a pressure in the compression chamber. When a great enough pressure is reached, it flashes through the pin-point hole in the coned disk firing the detonator.

REMARKS: The building up of pressure in the chamber apparently is what determines the delay in this fuze.

Figure 610 – Bd.Z. f. 8.8-cm Pzgr. (Large Cavity)