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Pistol, Tail, No. 37 Mk 4, No. 37 Mk 4*, No. 37 Mk 4**, No. 37 Mk 5, No. 37 Mk 5*, No. 37 Mk 6 |
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Description
This is a chemical long delay pistol with a sensitive type striker. Delays are obtained by the action of acetone on celluloid. Alternative delays result when the number of celluloid discs is varied. The pistol is constructed in three main parts, the head, body, and anti-removal device. The head and body are screwed together and locked by a locking screw. A rubber insertion washer and a soft rubber washer are located between the head and the body when assembled. Into the head of the pistol is fitted an arming screw, on the spindle of which is placed a soft rubber washer and a steel washer. This seals the acetone in the fuze when the arming screw threads inward and breaks the ampoule.
The glass ampoule containing acetone fits into the pistol body and rests on a perforated zinc disc over the wedge-shaped seating. This seating is threaded into the body. The striker spring is held compressed by the head of the striker screw, which is engaged in a countersunk celluloid disc inserted at the top of the striker assembly. The striker sleeve is retained by 16 retaining balls which seat on the retaining sleeve. The compressed striker-sleeve spring is located between a shoulder in the bore of the pistol body and a shoulder on the striker sleeve.
The antiwithdrawal device is a soft rubber washer assembled over a retaining sleeve, which is screwed onto the bottom of the pistol body. This sleeve is smaller at the bottom to fit into the head of the detonator when in the bomb. The soft rubber washer locks the retaining sleeve into position in the detonator head. A step on the retaining sleeve is positioned against a corresponding step on a lock ring when in the bomb. A lock screw secures the lock ring to the pistol body. The pistol has a tab locking device.
The Pistol No. 37 is similar to Tail Pistols No. 28 and No. 30 externally, except for a V shaped notch around pistol in center of knurled exterior. Knurling is in form of cuts along the longitudinal axis of the pistol, instead of crosscuts as in the Nos. 28 and 30.
Mks I and II of the Pistol No. 37 are obsolete. Mk I had no antiwithdrawal device. Mk III incorporated an antiwithdrawal device, but the arming screw had left-hand threads. Mk IV has a right-hand thread arming screw. Mks IV* and V are similar to Mk IV, but have a white blotting paper ring to indicate a broken ampoule. These fuzes employ arming vanes which are painted red.
Mks IV**, V* and VI of the Pistol No. 37 have no anti-withdrawal device. The V shaped groove is painted white. The Mks IV** and V* are converted Pistols Mk IV* and Mk V. Mk VI is manufactured to a modified design. The arming vanes employed with these pistols are painted white.
Delays intended for this pistol are indicated by a letter after the number: No. 37, 6 hours: No. 37A, 12 hours: No. 37B, 36 hours; No. 37D, 72 hours; No. 37E, 144 hours.
Functioning
No information about functioning.
See Also
Source(s)
OP 1665, British Explosive Ordnance (1946)
