DATA:

BOMBS USED IN

FUNCTIONING

ARMED CONDITION

FUZES USED WITH

ARMING TIME

MAX. BODY DIAMETER

OVERALL LENGTH

IDENTIFICATION

COLOR

Brass.

DESCRIPTION:

This pistol is a simple impact meachanism consisting of a brass body with a central channel to accommodate a heavy striker. The striker is retained by a small brass cross which is fastened to the top of the striker by a copper pin. In the normal condition, the four tabs of the brass cross extend outward over the top of the pistol body, preventing the striker from descending.

Two arming wire holes are drilled in separate planes at 90° to each other. The hole to be used is that which gives the more favorable angle of pull-off for the arming wire from the pistol to the fuzing unit. Parallel to one of these arming wire holes, and about 1/4" above it, is located a safety pin hole.

OPERATION:

When the bomb is released from the aircraft the arming wire is withdrawn from the pistol, leaving the striker supported only by the brass cross. On impact, the inertia of the striker bends the tabs of the brass cross, allowing the striker to move forward and pierces the detonator.

REMARKS:

1. The use of this pistol is restricted to high level bombing operations, as there is danger of non-functioning from low altitude.

2. Three of these pistols, located 120° apart in the base plate, are used with the G.P. 12,000 lb. bomb.

3. The striker used with this pistol is of the needly type, thus only sensitive type detonators can be used.

4. Early issues of the No. 58 Mk I pistol were conversions of No. 30 pistol bodies. A heavy brass plug was fitted into the top of the pistol body and held in place with four screws, while the later Mk I body is machined from one piece of brass. In addition, the early Mk I had a circumferential groove out around the knurling on the outside of the pistol body, resembling the No. 30 pistol, except that the groove was not painted green.