The Works Of Messrs. Schneider And Co.

DETONATORS ; PROJECTILES. 325 establishes a communication with the lower part of the fuse. When the projectile is fired from the gun, the striker has a tendency to hold back, and its flange presses ont the branches of the catch-spring, which prevent the percutor from resuming its former position. The fuse is thus ready to act, and when tlie projectile strikes, the cup that contains the primer presses down its spring, and arrives in contact witli the percutor, and the fulminate tires the explosive charge. b. Fuses with time spirals are illustrated in Fig. 1045. This consista of the body of the fuse, the barrel, the concussion device, and the time-firing arrangement. The fuse body is of brass ; its lower part is threaded for fixing the fuse in the fuse-hole of the shell ; it is tïtted inside with the percussion device ; a screwed plug at top closes the socket, in which acts the concussion piece. The barrel is in the shape of a truncated cône, in which is eut a hélicoïdal groove that contains the powder for the time acting of the fuse. The whole is protected by a cover of the same shape as the barrel ; the cover is marked with a timing scale. The concussion device consista of a striker and a cylinder provided with the pi'iniing ; a spring keeps both apart. The percussion arrangement contains a primer cup fitted in tlie top part of the rear of the fuse, and a striker. A safety ring holds the striker back. Vents are provided for establishing communication between the top part of the fuse chamber and the inside of the projectile. For time firing, the barrel is drilled opposite the division which corresponds with thê distance at which the projectile is required to burst. When the projectile is fired from the gun, the striker, owing to its inertia, is driven against the primer; it Ares the fulminate, which, in its turn, fires a ring of compressed powder and the powder of the spiral, through the drilled opening above referred to. Combustion continues in the spiral, and reaebes the charge inside the projectile. For percussion firing, no préparation is necessary. When the projectile is fired from the gun, the safety ring presses down, by its inertia, the arms of the cock-spring, covers tho nipple, froein^ tlic striker. As soon as projectile strikes, the nipple is driven forward, the striker strikes the primer, and fires the explosive charge of the projectile. These three types of fuses undergo modifications as regards the shape of inside arrangements, according to the conditions to be fulfilled. For instance, the percussio'i device described with the pattern with movable ring, can form part of the serpentine fuse. DETONATORS. The Schneider-Canet detonators are used principally with projectiles charged with high explosives, and according to the section of the projectiles, are fired either in the head or in the base. Fig. 1046 shows the general arrangement for shells charged with “ Schneiderite.” The manufacture of Schneider-Canet primers is carried out in special shops (Fig. 1047), and the patterns are so designed that they can easily be substituted, one for tlie other. The varions parts of the tubes and fuses are made with précision tools ; the tubes and fuses when charged, put together and tested, are stored ready for use, or for the execution of Orders. PROJECTILES. Projectiles for Field, Mountain, Siege and Garrison Guns. — Messrs. Schneider and Co. have perfected the necessary plant to supply with their field, mountain, siege and garrison guns, projectiles of all calibres used in service. These are delivered by them completely finished and charged. The varions types are the following (see Fig. 1048): Oast-iron, common shell (a) Cast-iron, bail shell (b) Cast-iron, segment shell (h) Grape-shot shell (</)... Cast-iron shrapnel (e) Steel shrapnel (d) ... Fiat - headed grape - shot shell (/)................. High-explosive shell(c) Cast-iron body, central charge, copper band, percussion fuse. Cast iron body, cast iron halls imbedded in the walls, central charge, copper band, percussion fuse. Same as above, but with segments instead of halls. Wrought-Steel body, cast-iron rings and halls, hardened lead halls, charge in front, copper band, double-acting fuse. Cast-iron body and head, charge in the rear, lead balis held by means of sulphur or rosin, copper belt, per- cussion or double-acting fuse. Same as above, but with steel body, double-acting fuse, and containing a smoke- engendering powder. Zinc body, wood base, hardened lead balis, held with sulphur. Steel body, central charge, copper band, percussion fuse or special detonator. In the manufacture of these projectiles, cast-iron is being gradually superseded by steel, owing to tlie higher resisting properties of the latter metal ; and to this other great advantage that, for a given total weight, it allows the carrying of a heavier explosive charge. As, however steel projectiles are more expensive, oiily a comparatively small number of governments put them in their ammu- nition stores for war purposes, the greater number being satisfied, for the present, with cast-iron. The Schneider-Canet high-explosive shells are charged with “Schneiderite” and armed with a special detonator. Their inside section varies according to the calibre and the type of gun ; one tracirig is sliown in Fig. 1046. These varions projectiles are sufficiently known, and require no further description. Projectiles for Naval and Coast-defence Guns.— The above brief description of projectiles applies generally to those in use for naval and coast-defence guns, as regards: Cast-iron common shells, Steel shrapnel, High-explosive shells.