Description
This pistol employs three basic principles of operation. They are mechanical impact., chemical action, and anti-withdrawal action. The principal parts consist of the arming vanes, retaining balls, safety strips, sleeve, striker, ampoule, firing pin, and locking balls.
The delays which may be incorporated in this pistol, and the identifying color of the groove in the lower body extension housing the firing pin head, are as follows:
▪No. 17 Mk I - 30 min. - Top red, bottom green
▪No. 17A Mk I - 1 hr. - Top red, bottom black
▪No. 17B Mk I - 2 hr. - Top red, bottom yellow
▪No. 17D Mk I - 3 hr. - Top red, bottom blue
▪No. 17E Mk 1 - 6 hr. - White
▪No. 17F Mk 1 - 8 hr. - Yellow
▪No. 17G Mk 1 - 12 hr - Green
▪No. 17H Mk 1 - 18 hr. - Red
▪No. 17J Mk 1 - 24 hr - Black
▪No. 17K Mk 1 - 36 hr - Light blue
The delay is engraved in the pistol body just above the colored groove. The letter added to the fuze designation also indicates the delay. The Fuze Mk II has the same letter and time designations as the Mk I, but the anti-withdrawal device is not present on the latter. The Mk III is similar to the Mk II, except that it has a lighter spider, and the safety pin hole is increased in diameter. The fins of bombs using this pistol and the arming vanes are usually painted red. Early fuzes had a lead anti-withdrawal lug instead of locking balls.
This pistol should never be withdrawn from a bomb that has been dropped from an aircraft.
Functioning
No information about functioning.
See Also
Nothing else to see.
Source(s)
OP 1665, British Explosive Ordnance (1946)
