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| ITALIAN AND FRENCH EXPLOSIVE ORDNANCE |
| Chapter 4 |
| ITALIAN PROJECTILE FUZES |
| Percussion Nose Fuzes I. M38 and I. M32/38 |
| Data |
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Projectiles used in |
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I. M38 Type I |
Small Caliber H.E. Shells |
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I. M38 Type II |
Medium Caliber H.E. Shells |
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I. M32/38 |
Unknown |
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Over-all length |
Unknown |
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Maximum diameter |
Unknown |
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Thread diameter |
Unknown |
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Markings |
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I. M38 Type I |
Stamped I-38-p.c. |
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I. M38 Type II |
Stamped I-38-m.c. |
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I. M32/38 |
Stamped 32-I-38 |
| Description |
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These fuzes are very similar to Percussion Nose Fuze I. M35. The main difference is that the fuzes incorporate a safety device, involving a ball which blocks the flash channel, and also that they are made of aluminum instead of brass. The striker is held in position by three lugs resting in grooves at the nose. The arming tube, which holds the ball in the flash-hole, is itself kept in position by two balls which press against an inertia ring. |
| Operation |
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On firing, the setback forces the inertia ring to rear against its spring. The two balls then fly out by centrifugal force, and jam the inertia ring in the rear position. The spring, as a result, is made inactive so that during flight the arming tube can creep forward. The ball blocking the flash-hole then moves outward due to centrifugal force. On impact, the shear wire and lugs are sheared, the striker is forced onto the detonator. |
| Remarks |
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These fuzes are similar, except for their markings and dimensions. |
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Figure 204 |
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Figure 205 |
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