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Japanese Fuse
- Thread starter Bigboom
- Start date
BOUGAINVILLE
Well-Known Member
This is a Type 3rd Year (Taisho) Combination Powder Time and Impact Fuze as used on 75mm shrapnel and old H.E projectiles. Your example was made in 1938 (Showa 13) in the month of November at the Tokyo Army Arsenal. Yours is in great condition with the added bonus of being able to be disassembled.
Here is a wee bit of information about the fuze;
This fuze compares very well with the British Time and Percussion No. 80 fuze. The details of construction will be clear from the drawing.
The fuze cover is made of tin and being soft fits snugly over the fuze. It is turned over at the skirt for securing to the fuze. A brass wire is wound round the grooves in the body of the fuze with one end secured in the body and the other end secured to the locating stud by two turns, with an extension forming a loop, This acts as a pull off wire.
The fuze has two time rings (9 & 11), one of which (9) is ungraduated and is locked to the body of the fuze by a dowel pin. The second time ring (11) is graduated 0 22, each division being further sub-divided into five equal parts. This ring is provided with two setting (vertical) slots positioned diametrically opposite. Both rings are each provided with an escape hole which is covered with a thin brass foil disc. The tension is obtained by screwing in the fuze cap (1) which presses against the dished ring shaped tensioning springs (7). The fuzes examined were found to be set to a tension as high as 500.in. ozs.
When the fuze is set "Safe", the scribe line on the body (12)) is in line with the scribe line on the movable time ring (11) and the red line on the fixed time ring. In this position, the flash hole loading to the lower time ring is masked by the bridge in the fixed time ring.
When the fuze is set to zero, the scribe line on the body comes in line with zero on the movable time ring (11) and the red scribe line on the fixed time ring (9). In this position, the flash holes in both rings lead the flash straight to the magazine.
The time detonator holder (3) is supported on a stirrup spring (5) which, according to small trial carried out, could be straightened with a pressure of 55 60 lbs. A double-ended striker (6) is secured centrally in the body by ringing in. Round the striker are six equally spaced flash holes to allow the flash to the fixed time ring.
The graze pellet (16) carrying the detonator it held in position by a retaining plug (17) which closes the percussion mechanism.
Safety Devices:
(a) When set to safe, the flash cannot reach the lower time ring although the top ring may continue to burn.
(b) The time detonator holder (3) is supported by a stirrup spring (5), in addition, the tensioning cap is provided with a hole for a safety pin which is intended to pass through an eye in the time detonator closing plug. All the plugs examined here, however, had a plain head with a screwdriver slot. It is probable that the stirrup spring was at one time weak and necessitated the use of an auxiliary device but this was later abandoned on account of a stronger stirrup spring being incorporated.
(c) Two spring loaded centrifugal belts (14A) which hold the graze pellet.
(d) A creep spring (13) which holds the graze pellet (16) off the striker
Action:
Time Mechanism: On acceleration in the gun, the time detonator pellet sets back onto the upper striker straightening out the arms of the stirrup spring in so doing.
The flash from the detonator passes through an opening in the stem and ignites the powder pellet and the composition in the fixed time ring, blowing out the escape hole disc.
The composition in the time rings then burns for the predetermined time when the flash from the lower ring passes through the perforated pellet to the magazine.
Percussion Mechanism: Centrifugal force causes the centrifugal bolt to fly out, thus freeing the inertia pellet which, on impact, is driven on to the lower striker. The flash passes through the pellet and fires the G. P. in the magazine.
Hope this is of help,
Cheers,
BOUGAINVILLE
Here is a wee bit of information about the fuze;
FUZE, TIME & PERCUSSION, TYPE TAISHO 3 (1914).
This fuze compares very well with the British Time and Percussion No. 80 fuze. The details of construction will be clear from the drawing.
The fuze cover is made of tin and being soft fits snugly over the fuze. It is turned over at the skirt for securing to the fuze. A brass wire is wound round the grooves in the body of the fuze with one end secured in the body and the other end secured to the locating stud by two turns, with an extension forming a loop, This acts as a pull off wire.
The fuze has two time rings (9 & 11), one of which (9) is ungraduated and is locked to the body of the fuze by a dowel pin. The second time ring (11) is graduated 0 22, each division being further sub-divided into five equal parts. This ring is provided with two setting (vertical) slots positioned diametrically opposite. Both rings are each provided with an escape hole which is covered with a thin brass foil disc. The tension is obtained by screwing in the fuze cap (1) which presses against the dished ring shaped tensioning springs (7). The fuzes examined were found to be set to a tension as high as 500.in. ozs.
When the fuze is set "Safe", the scribe line on the body (12)) is in line with the scribe line on the movable time ring (11) and the red line on the fixed time ring. In this position, the flash hole loading to the lower time ring is masked by the bridge in the fixed time ring.
When the fuze is set to zero, the scribe line on the body comes in line with zero on the movable time ring (11) and the red scribe line on the fixed time ring (9). In this position, the flash holes in both rings lead the flash straight to the magazine.
The time detonator holder (3) is supported on a stirrup spring (5) which, according to small trial carried out, could be straightened with a pressure of 55 60 lbs. A double-ended striker (6) is secured centrally in the body by ringing in. Round the striker are six equally spaced flash holes to allow the flash to the fixed time ring.
The graze pellet (16) carrying the detonator it held in position by a retaining plug (17) which closes the percussion mechanism.
Safety Devices:
(a) When set to safe, the flash cannot reach the lower time ring although the top ring may continue to burn.
(b) The time detonator holder (3) is supported by a stirrup spring (5), in addition, the tensioning cap is provided with a hole for a safety pin which is intended to pass through an eye in the time detonator closing plug. All the plugs examined here, however, had a plain head with a screwdriver slot. It is probable that the stirrup spring was at one time weak and necessitated the use of an auxiliary device but this was later abandoned on account of a stronger stirrup spring being incorporated.
(c) Two spring loaded centrifugal belts (14A) which hold the graze pellet.
(d) A creep spring (13) which holds the graze pellet (16) off the striker
Action:
Time Mechanism: On acceleration in the gun, the time detonator pellet sets back onto the upper striker straightening out the arms of the stirrup spring in so doing.
The flash from the detonator passes through an opening in the stem and ignites the powder pellet and the composition in the fixed time ring, blowing out the escape hole disc.
The composition in the time rings then burns for the predetermined time when the flash from the lower ring passes through the perforated pellet to the magazine.
Percussion Mechanism: Centrifugal force causes the centrifugal bolt to fly out, thus freeing the inertia pellet which, on impact, is driven on to the lower striker. The flash passes through the pellet and fires the G. P. in the magazine.
Hope this is of help,
Cheers,
BOUGAINVILLE
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Wow, thanks! Sounds like you have an interest in Japanese items, this is the only one I have in my collection
I have looked all over the place and couldn't find any info about this fuze until now. I had noticed it looked a lot like a British WWI era double effect fuze but with what I thought were Chinese or Japanese markings. I did not know the purpose of the #14 pins (or that they were spring loaded)...so obviously this fuze was intended for a rifled barrel, not a mortar type. Now I know what year and month it was made and where it came from, I can do a little research!
I have looked all over the place and couldn't find any info about this fuze until now. I had noticed it looked a lot like a British WWI era double effect fuze but with what I thought were Chinese or Japanese markings. I did not know the purpose of the #14 pins (or that they were spring loaded)...so obviously this fuze was intended for a rifled barrel, not a mortar type. Now I know what year and month it was made and where it came from, I can do a little research!
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This one got me started...it was my first find! I had no idea what it was when I bought it, neither did the guy who was selling it. I browsed through the pics you have uploaded to the site...nice collection! Would you happen to have any pics of a projectile with this fuze installed?
BOUGAINVILLE
Well-Known Member
For actual photos of a 75mm projectile sporting a 3rd Year fuze I think that Ogreve (Olafo) might have a some.
I have attached 3 diagrams of the projectiles concerned along with a wee bit of information.
FIRST PROJECTILE
Weight of projectile, filled: 6.46 kg. (14.2 pounds).
Weight of filling: 0.625 kg. (1.38 pound).
Filling: "ONA", a mixture of picric acid and dinitronapthalene, in two preformed blocks. Diameter at bourrelet: 75 mm (minus tol.).
Length over all (without fuze): No data.
Length protruding from case: No data.
Width of rotating band: No data.
Fuzing: Type 3rd year combination time and impact fuze.
Weapons in which used:
Type 41 mountain gun (regimental gun): Case, 7 1/4 inches.
Type 94 mountain gun: Case, 11 9/16 inches.
Type 38 field gun group: Case, 11 9/16 inches.
Remarks:
This is an old projectile and is now obsolete (WWII).
SECOND PROJECTILE
Weight of projectile: 6.83 kg. (15.0 pounds).
Bursting charge: 0.10 kg. (0.22 pound). Black powder contained in the base of the projectile and in a central brass tube.
Diameter at bourrelet: 75 mm (minus tolerance).
Length over all (without fuze): 250 mm (9 3/4 inches).
Length protruding from case (without fuze): 188 mm (7 3/8 inches).
Width of rotating band: No data.
Fuzing: Type 3rd year combination time and impact fuze.
Type 5th year combination time and impact fuze.
Weapons in which used: Type 41 mountain gun (regimental gun): Case, 7 1/4 inches.
Type 94 mountain gun: Case, 11 9/16 inches.
Type 38 field gun group: Case 11 9/16 inches.
Type 90 field gun: Case, 16 11/16 inches.
Remarks: All guns except type 90 field gun and type 94 mountain gun use the type 3rd year fuze in this projectile. Type 90 field gun uses type 5th year fuze only; type 94 mountain gun uses either fuze.
THIRD PROJECTILE
Weight of projectile, filled: No data.
Weight of bursting charge: No data.
Bursting charges: Black powder in base of projectile. Filling of central exploder tube is probably also black powder.
Chemical agent: White phosphorus in a sealed can which slips into the cavity of the projectile and through which passes the exploder tube.
Diameter at bourrelet: 75 mm (minus tolerance).
Length over all (without fuze): No data.
Length protruding from case (without fuze): No data.
Width of rotating band: No data.
Fuzing: Type 3rd year combination time and impact fuze.
Remarks: This projectile appears to be a converted type 90 shrapnel projectile.
Hope this is of help.
Cheers,
BOUGAINVILLE
I have attached 3 diagrams of the projectiles concerned along with a wee bit of information.
FIRST PROJECTILE
7 cm (75 mm) Design "A" High Explosive Projectile
Weight of projectile, filled: 6.46 kg. (14.2 pounds).
Weight of filling: 0.625 kg. (1.38 pound).
Filling: "ONA", a mixture of picric acid and dinitronapthalene, in two preformed blocks. Diameter at bourrelet: 75 mm (minus tol.).
Length over all (without fuze): No data.
Length protruding from case: No data.
Width of rotating band: No data.
Fuzing: Type 3rd year combination time and impact fuze.
Weapons in which used:
Type 41 mountain gun (regimental gun): Case, 7 1/4 inches.
Type 94 mountain gun: Case, 11 9/16 inches.
Type 38 field gun group: Case, 11 9/16 inches.
Remarks:
This is an old projectile and is now obsolete (WWII).
SECOND PROJECTILE
Type 38 7 cm (75 mm) Shrapnel Projectile
Weight of projectile: 6.83 kg. (15.0 pounds).
Bursting charge: 0.10 kg. (0.22 pound). Black powder contained in the base of the projectile and in a central brass tube.
Diameter at bourrelet: 75 mm (minus tolerance).
Length over all (without fuze): 250 mm (9 3/4 inches).
Length protruding from case (without fuze): 188 mm (7 3/8 inches).
Width of rotating band: No data.
Fuzing: Type 3rd year combination time and impact fuze.
Type 5th year combination time and impact fuze.
Weapons in which used: Type 41 mountain gun (regimental gun): Case, 7 1/4 inches.
Type 94 mountain gun: Case, 11 9/16 inches.
Type 38 field gun group: Case 11 9/16 inches.
Type 90 field gun: Case, 16 11/16 inches.
Remarks: All guns except type 90 field gun and type 94 mountain gun use the type 3rd year fuze in this projectile. Type 90 field gun uses type 5th year fuze only; type 94 mountain gun uses either fuze.
THIRD PROJECTILE
7 cm (75 mm) Smoke (W. P.) Projectile
Weight of projectile, filled: No data.
Weight of bursting charge: No data.
Bursting charges: Black powder in base of projectile. Filling of central exploder tube is probably also black powder.
Chemical agent: White phosphorus in a sealed can which slips into the cavity of the projectile and through which passes the exploder tube.
Diameter at bourrelet: 75 mm (minus tolerance).
Length over all (without fuze): No data.
Length protruding from case (without fuze): No data.
Width of rotating band: No data.
Fuzing: Type 3rd year combination time and impact fuze.
Remarks: This projectile appears to be a converted type 90 shrapnel projectile.
Hope this is of help.
Cheers,
BOUGAINVILLE
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BOUGAINVILLE
Well-Known Member
The first fuze on the left and the one next to the tin are both Japanese Navy 40mm Powder Time Fuzes. These were used on 40mm AA Projectiles.
The second fuze is a Japanese Army Type 88 Instantaneous (Gun or Howitzer) Fuze. The Gun type were used on HE projectiles for the 47mm AT Gun, 57mm Tank guns, 75mm guns and 105mm guns. The Howitzer type were used on HE projectiles for the 70mm Howitzer, 105mm guns and howitzers, 120mm howitzer, and 150mm howitzer.
The third (top) fuze is what looks to be a Japanese Navy 25mm Model 1 Fuze as used on all 25mm projectiles.
The fourth (top) is a Japanese Army Type 93 Small Instantaneous Fuse as used for 20mm aircraft, anti tank, and anti-aircraft guns and 37mm tank and anti-tank guns.
Lastly the two fuzes bottom centre are Japanese Army Type 88 Short-Delay (Gun or Howitzer) Fuze. The Gun type were used on HE projectiles for the 57mm Tank guns, 75mm guns and 105mm guns. The Howitzer type were used on HE projectiles for the 70mm,120mm and 150mm howitzers.
All of the fuzes look in good nick and the three Type 88 class of fuzes are complete with gaines. As for the fuze tin, I would need to have a close up of the label to try to ID it. It could be for the Type 88 Instantaneous Fuze as packed individually. These fuzes also came in tins of ten fuzes.
Hope this is of help.
Check your PM as have sent a guide to pricing.
Cheers,
BOUGAINVILLE
The second fuze is a Japanese Army Type 88 Instantaneous (Gun or Howitzer) Fuze. The Gun type were used on HE projectiles for the 47mm AT Gun, 57mm Tank guns, 75mm guns and 105mm guns. The Howitzer type were used on HE projectiles for the 70mm Howitzer, 105mm guns and howitzers, 120mm howitzer, and 150mm howitzer.
The third (top) fuze is what looks to be a Japanese Navy 25mm Model 1 Fuze as used on all 25mm projectiles.
The fourth (top) is a Japanese Army Type 93 Small Instantaneous Fuse as used for 20mm aircraft, anti tank, and anti-aircraft guns and 37mm tank and anti-tank guns.
Lastly the two fuzes bottom centre are Japanese Army Type 88 Short-Delay (Gun or Howitzer) Fuze. The Gun type were used on HE projectiles for the 57mm Tank guns, 75mm guns and 105mm guns. The Howitzer type were used on HE projectiles for the 70mm,120mm and 150mm howitzers.
All of the fuzes look in good nick and the three Type 88 class of fuzes are complete with gaines. As for the fuze tin, I would need to have a close up of the label to try to ID it. It could be for the Type 88 Instantaneous Fuze as packed individually. These fuzes also came in tins of ten fuzes.
Hope this is of help.
Check your PM as have sent a guide to pricing.
Cheers,
BOUGAINVILLE
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Aye... Sure do.
Check the 75x185R and 75x294R shrapnel projectiles in the attached pictures; as far as I can tell from the pictures (that is: without walking up to the actual rounds) all of those have the Type 3rd-Year fuze, this has a time scale that goes to 22 seconds. Same for the 105x243R HE-Substitute round; it too has such a fuze. Incidentally, you can see both it's predecessor and it's successor too in the pictures.The former being a much older kind, having a scale going to only 18 seconds. I don't know a Type number of it, but the earliest specimen I have is from 1901; well before the Type 3rd-Year fuze was accepted into service (3rd-year = Taisho year 3 = 1914). These smaller fuzes can be seen on the 'short' 75mm shrapnel projectiles. The successor of the Type 3rd-year fuze, being the Type 5th-year fuze (i.e. acceptance: 1916) has a time scale running up to 36.6 seconds. It is taller than the Type 3rd-year fuze and it can be seen on the two 105mm Shrapnel projectiles.
For all mentioned rounds/projectiles: check the legend below each image (and correlate that to the numbers in the pictures) for checking which item is what.
Cheers!
Olafo
Hehehe, hi there right back at ya Rick...
Yeah, you're quite right for telling me off... Man, work's been a b*tch lately, and you know what they say: "all work, and no play..." :S
Anyway; I see I missed some interesting discussions about Japanese ordnance, and it was only by chance that I noticed Robert's remark about me having such items. I'll try to better my live and tap in here more frequently again....
Cheers mate!
Olafo
Yeah, you're quite right for telling me off... Man, work's been a b*tch lately, and you know what they say: "all work, and no play..." :S
Anyway; I see I missed some interesting discussions about Japanese ordnance, and it was only by chance that I noticed Robert's remark about me having such items. I'll try to better my live and tap in here more frequently again....
Cheers mate!
Olafo
smokediver216
New Member
Thanks Bougainville for sending me to this Forum!! Smokediver216 from Gunboard Japanese
Regards,
Mark from Florida
Regards,
Mark from Florida
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