75

Page 7 5.— Fuze, percussion, J).A., with cap, No. 17, Mk. I. \ L.\ has
lately been introduced for use with lyddite shell with
tield and siege guns and howitzers
The body of the fuze externally is similar to the fuze,
percussion, D.A., with cap No. 1. but longer. The con­
struction of the fuze is shown in the following diagram,

“ ........................ . are similar and resemble the D irect 10321,

Page 7 5 —
continued. Fuze, percussion, D.A., with cap, No. 17, Mk. T. \ L. \

Safety cap.
Screw collar for needle disc.
Needle disc with steel needle.
Escape hole.

Detonator plug with detonator.

Brass pellet, with collar and shearing

[wire.
Safety pin.

j-Two centrifugal U>lts with springs.

Brass shield.

Magazine plug.

F.G. powder.

Brass disc.

Action.— At the last moment of loading the safety pin

and safety cap are removed. On shock of discharge
nothing takes place, but on rotation the centrifugal motion
of the shell causes the two holts to spin outwards, com­
pressing' their spiral springs, and opening the lire channel
in the fuze body. On graze or impact, the needle disc is
crushed in, carrying its needle on to the detonator. The
explosion of the detonator forces the brass pellet through
the fire channel; it shears its suspending wire and pierces
the brass shield, and thus allows the Hash from the
detonator to fire the magazine of the fuze, which in turn
explodes the shell.
If the detonator is fired prematurely before the centri­
fugal bolts are spun out by the rotation of the shell, the brass
pellet would be unable to pass the small ends of the bolts.
The flash in this case would blow out the brass disc in
the small side hole in the upper part of the body, and so
would escape to the exterior. The result would be a blind
shell instead of a premature in the bore.

spiral spring, needle plug with stet

with spiral spring, and magazine.