Projectile.

Application filed January 15, 1906. Serial No. 296,143.

disk which has been tamped, into an undercut circular groove on the base of the projectile surrounding the fuse, (ana the base plug Avhen used), but this has proved to be unsatisfactory in -use because of the aifii- B0 culty of removal and replacement. · ,

Conditions of service have demanded the frequent removal of the fuse to inspect and replace its fulminate cap or other percussion ... device, as well as the operating mechanism bo therefor,'and for the inspection and occasional removal of the bursting, charge, ouch projectiles are usually .'stored for a considerable length of time in the various maga- . zines and arsenals, and it has been round 7 that the bursting charge, at least in part, soon becomes reduced to a, fine powder which adheres to the interior of the projectile, and . finds its wav between the screw threads ot the fuse and base plug and projectile body. 75 It has also been found that the meta± forming these parts is especially liable to corrosion on the interior of the projectile so that . the fuse and plug not infrequently becomes· so rusted in place as to require considerate force to iinscrew them. The friction engendered in removing these parts has in many cases generated’ sufficient heat to' ignite the particles of powder around them ana explode the bursting'charge, and many serious'accidents have resulted from this cause.

• Mv invention aims to provide an explosive'projectile in which all of the orainary service operations may be periormect wito perfect safety. _£

According to the preferred form. o.x my invention I provide a. means which is.ai . ranged between the detachaole base portion of the projectile ana the projectile oody, , which is. adapted to.prevent the passage of. gases of the firing charge into the interior Of 'the projectile.· ,. .

In i'S preferred form my invention provides a. detachable, base portion having a forwardlv extending flange, which; surrounds the rear of the projectile, and a ^oftmetal rotating band encircling the latter «t the exterior joint between the base apd projectile body, and compressed between such parts. Preferably I utilize for this pur- impose the usual soft metal rotating band now employed for engaging the. rifling of thegun to turn the projectile. In this case I· ablv so proportion the parts that· die jqmt _ between the detachable base and tne proie .To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that. I, Michael W. Gilmar- , tin, a citizen of the United States, residing· in the borough of Manhattan, city, county, and State of New York, have invented certain new and useful Improvements m Projectiles, of which the following is a specification. - · . ,,, j

This invention relates to' projectiles ana aims to provide certain improvements therein. .,, , . „

My invention, while applicable' generally to projectiles which are designed to explode· after leaving the gun, is especially directed to armor-piercing and other projectiles for heavv rifled ordnance. This general type . of projectile.is formed with a bore or chamber in which is carried a bursting charge, oi ffun-powder or other high explosive which 20 is designed to be fired-by a smtame tuse io-nitect by the shock of the impact of the • projectile against the target or otherwise.

In this type of. projectile.it is necessary to provide a passage for the introduction of the 2¾ bursting charge and for the insertion vt the percussion or other fuse, and in the smal ei calibers principally .used in the United States and other navies, a screw-threaded passage for this purpose has been provided 90 in the wall of the projectile, the fuse being constructed to screw into such passage and * form a closure·therefor. In the larger ca,'n-. bers such screw-threaded passage has been formed in a' detachable base, which is usu25 ally constructed as a. screw-threaded plug of a. diameter approximating that of the interior of the shell. This construction.has been adopted to provide a large passage for the introduction of the bursting charge. ·.

40' For constructional reasons the fuse has ordinarily been placed in the circular rear wall or base portion of the shell, and in this ' position the joints between the fuse, base phio- and shell have been exposed to the din;

rec? effect. of the firing charge. It has been; found in practice that the gases under the extremely heavy pressure developed .at the moment of explosion have found their Avay through such joint into the interior of the 50 shell and ignited the. bursting charge, lhe effect has been that the projectile, has exploded within' the gun, disrupting t.tie latter and causing in some cases considerable loss of life. An effort has been made to prevent 55 such accidents by the use of a soft metal

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990,403 tile body is located in advance of the soft metal rotating band, so that as the latter is forcea by the firing charge into the rifling of the gun at the rear of stich joint, it shall 5* constitute a gas check- to. prevent the. passage.of the hot- gases through such joint to the interior of the projectile. Preferably such soft metal band is secured to the detachable base by. screw threads or otherwise,' 10 so that when adjusted in position, it will be non-rotatively connected thereto in the· direction in which the rifling of the gun tends to relatively , rotate such parts.

My invention also provides means between 15 the detachable base (or other detachable part) and the projectile by which the entrance of powder between such detachable base and the projectile body is prevented, so that such base may be removed without 20 danger of exploding the bursting charge.

Ireferably I provide an intercepting plate extending completely across the base im ivaidly of the latter, such plate being in effect imperforate so as to constitute a com25 plet.e closure for the interior chamber of the projectile, whereby to prevent communication with the passage to the exterior of the projectile.

My invention also provides a projectile 30 having a fuse which is removable therefrom without undue friction so that premature explosion from- this cause is impossible. 1 cetera jly the fuse, or the part which caror ^by preference each) is forked to fit closely against the wall of the. projectile, so as to exclude the entrance of powder dust between them, and the contacting surfaces are so disposed relatively to the direction of movement of the fu^e upon with0 urawal, that they separate without moving upon each other to any appreciable extent.

„ My invention also provides certain other matures of improvement which will be hereinafter referred to.

⁴⁵ Referring to the drawings which illustrate several modifications of my invention Figure 1 is a longitudinal section partly in elevation oi one form of my invention- Fi» 9 is a fragmentary view on an enlarged scale 50 of thy rear portion of the projectile shown ¹¹¹ rT U^the P^{arts bein}ff ^{shown a}s separated. Fig. 3 is a rear elevation of the intercepting plate detached; Fig 4 i_{s an en}. urged fragmentary cross-section on the lines ™ T 4_rin Fig. 1; Fig. 5 is a longitudinal section of the rear portion of an armor-niercmg projectile of the general proportions now jn use; Fig. 6 is a similar view of a -usual type of explosive projectile; Fig. 7 is «0 a front elevation of. the base shown in Fig. , t-etached; Fig.. 8 is a longitudinal section or the rear portion of a modified form of armor-piercing projectile; Figs. 9 and 10 are sum ar sections showing my invention' as a.p^6t> plied to small caliber projectiles a cross-section of Fig.,10 on the line 11, 11; F ig-. 12 is a longitudinal section of the fear portion of a modified form of projectile.

Referring to the drawings, let- A indicate the body of the projectile, which is formed 70 with a bore or chamber B designed to con- ’ tain, the bursting charge, which, in the present instance is introduced through a passage G at the rear of the projectile designed to be closed by a detachable base D. The fuse 75 which is indicated by the letter E is mounted with its inner end projecting into the chamber -B, and is as to its mechanism of any well known construction.

According to the preferred form of my in- _SQ vention I provide between the detachable base D and the projectile, body, a means for preventing the passage of the hot gases of the firing charge through the joint between the base and the body. Preferably I utilize 85 tor this purpose, the. usual soft metal rotating band F, which is designed to enter the grooves of the rifling and form a gas tight packing, between the projectile and the inrerior of the gun barrel. For this purpose I 90 so form the base that its joint with the projectile body is in advance of the band F so that the-latter m effect forms, a check or shield to prevent the gas from entering such joint. To this end the detachable base D is 95 formed with an imperforate head portion' a ot approximately the full diameter of the projectile, which head portion is formed with a circumferential flangd b extending forwardly and surrounding the rear portion 100 of the projectile body. Preferably the head and flange are formed with a curved front wall b which is adapted to fit a similar wall c formed on the projectile body, this construction affording the maximum strength 105 for a.given thickness of metal. This construct!on also accomplishes the very important result of securing a positive fragmentation of the. projectile after the bursting charge within the shell has ignited. Many HO of the shells now _ln service fail to explode, notwithstanding the ignition of the bursting charge. The probable cause of this is that the metal of the shell expands under the great pressure of the bursting charge until U5 the grip of the screw threads, on the fuse is so reduced that the fuse is blown out of the' „ ,™⁵ affording a comparatively large gases. In the present construction while, the shell expands, its rear end is confined by the over-hanging walls of the base, so that the latter cannot be blown out of the body, the screw threads of the body retaining their secure hold on the base. As the charge cannot be relieved by blowingout the base.its! forces must be exerted against the walls of the body of the shell, so that the latter must be disrupted. Preferably = Fm ιΓΐ« J !^bn!,T ^{F 18} carried on the flange b, with --, Fig. 11 is | at least a.portion of its body at the rear

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of the exterior joint. c between the flange and projectile body A, and preferably’ also with its forward edge at such joint.

Preferably the flange and projectile body 5 are formed with oppositely arranged shoulders d, e between which the band is pressed. By this construction the band is utilized to form a packing between the base and body which aids in preventing the ingress of gases 10 to the explosion chamber of the projectile. The base may be united to the projectile in any. suitable manner. Tn the. construction shown in Figs. 1 and 2 the base is provided with a plug portion f which is designed to 15 screw into the screw - threaded passage C formed at the rear of the body A.

As heretofore constructed the projectile has been formed with a circumferential groove cut in its cylindrical wall, and the 20 soft metal band has either been formed as a.

cut ring and closed into such groove, or it has been formed as a continuous ring of sufficient diameter to pass over the projectile body and has been compressed into such ²⁵ groove. In both of these constructions great difficulty has been experienced in making a rigid connection between the band and projectile body. In some instances the body of the projectile has been roughened Or struck ³⁰ up at the bottom of the: groove and the band has been forced inwardly upon such projections by hydraulic pressure. In none of these constructions has there resulted a perfectly rigid connection, and many shots ³⁵ have.been lost for this reason.

When any slipping takes place between the band and body, the projectile fails to receive the proper rotary movement and “tumbles,¹’ after it leaves the gun. By my invention I obviate this difficulty and provide, a‘perfectly rigid connection between these two parts. Preferably...the band is made as a continuous or uncut ring of the same diameter as the external diameter of the part of the projectile body which is to carry it, and is applied thereto axially thereof with or without a rotative movement and without any diminution' of diameter in the act of applying it. By this means I am enabled to previously form the band and body with co-acting abutments which prevent relative rotation of the parts. Preferably I provide a band which is adapted to screw upon the projectile body, with means for preventing the unscrewing of the band during firing.

In the construction shown in Figs. 1 and 2 the band F is provided with an internal screw-thread which engages a circumferential thread formed on the flange δ. The shoulders d and ’ e. constitute in this case abutments which prevent rotation of the band in either direction thus making a rigid connection between the band and projectile ⁶⁵ body. Any other suitable construction may be adopted which will prevent relative rotation of the band and body during firing.

The direction of the threa®'&fH4ie-plug portion f of the base D should be such that’ the rifling of the gun acting through the soft 70 metal band F tends to screw the base farther into the projectile body. With a right-hand rifling, the plug portion should be formed with a right-hand thre'ad. Preferably the band F should be formed with a thread 75 which'tends to force it against the shoulder e of the projectile body, that is to'say, a right-hand thread for a right-hand rifling. It is, of course, within my invention to provide set screws ortD-theq. devices of sufficient 80 strength to resist- the tendency to relative rotation of these several parts, but I prefer for simplicity' and economy to so construct' the latter that such devices will be unnecessary. I prefer, however to make use of a 85 single small set screw g to prevent possible relative rotation in handling, etc., such screw being tapped into the projectile body close to the meeting joint of the flange δ, the band F and body A, as shown in Fig. 2. As there is ⁹⁰a possibility of such screw working out of its socket and projecting beyond the band F. I prefer to provide a soft metal plug or screw h which is screwed in upon the top of; the screw g as best shown in Fig. 4. In case the ⁹⁵screw plug h accidentally stands in a protruding position during firing it will have no effect on the gun barrel or rifling, while with a steel screw there would be danger of injury to these parts. My invention also in- ¹⁰⁰eludes a' certain improvement in the construction of the soft metal rotating band itself. At present such bands for a breechloading projectile are made of a diameter to fit the grooves of “the rifling of the gun, the ¹⁰⁵soft metal being displaced during firing so as to admit the lands of the rifling. In use, however, the rifling of the gun frequently wears unequally with the result that during a part of the passage of the projectile ¹¹⁰through the gun the explosion gases leak past the projectile, thereby reducing the range of the flatter. This wearing, of the rifling of the gun is partly due to friction of the projectile passing along it, but is also ¹¹⁵due to the fact that the rotating bands now in use are of such character that they permit the explosive gases of the firing charge to leak past the projectile, thus causing an erosion with a cutting and wearing effect on the ¹²⁰rifling. By my invention I give to this type of band a capability of expansion so that it will be forced outwardly by the firing charge and hug closely the surface of the barrel irrespective of the differences in di- ¹²⁵ameter of the latter. This construction thus prevents any possible leak of the gases and not. only maintains the maximum pressure of the firing charge, but prevents to a large degree the wear upon the rifling of the gun. ¹³⁰

996,403

One form of my improved construction is shown m Figs. 2 and 4 wherein I have shown the band as.provided at its rear with a series ot recesses i which are adapted to, admit the 5 powder gases to expand the entire rear portion of the band outwardly into contact with barrel. Such recesses are arranged sufficiently close together to produce the required effect, and may, if desired, be joined 10 to form an annular groove extending around the rear face of the flange, as will be described with reference to Figs. 10 and 11.

While it is desirable to provide a large passage to the interior of the projectile foils the purpose of charging and recharging the latter, it. has been found in practice that this has involved a considerable element of danger, owing to the difficulty of formin'o· a closure therefor of sufficient tightness to 20 prevent the entrance of powder between the parts. As before stated considerable fric⁴¹ θ¹? . engendered in unscrewing the base, which is sometimes sufficient, if powder be present, to ignite the latter and explode the 25 charge. By my invention I avoid this disadvantage by providing a means for preventing the powder from finding its. way between the base and the projectile body, «Α ^ar7 W^efera^bly ^b.y providing an intercepting 30 plate G which extends completely across the passage C so as to entirely separate the latter from the chamber B. The plate G and projectile body are formed with opposite shoulders k, m, which fit closely against 35 each other, and the parts are so proportioned tnat as the base D is screwed home upon the projectile body it will press the plate G so himly to its seat as to prevent the powder .. iff 1 ^burs41xlg charge from working past 40 the plate. It is particularly important that the plate G shall be prevented from rotative movement during unscrewing of the head, and. to this end I provide a suitable lug n fitting a recess n’ in the projectile 45 body as shown in Fig. 2. If it is found necessary m some cases to make the plate G and its seat a ground fit, the lug n may be rep laced by any suitable device adapted to __n « ^adJ^l’^stedin P^ce after the grinding of 50 the parts. Preferably I form a tapering or conical surface on the projectile body and plate as indicated at o in Fig. 2, thus providing an extremely clbse fit between the pints, when it is desired to remove or re55 place the bursting charge, the detachable base I) may be unscrewed with perfect safety, and the intercepting plate G lifted by an apjiropriate tool without rotary movement, and hence without danger of prema60 tine explosion. Suitable undercut-sockets ® are preferably provided in the plate for engagement with· the withdrawing tool.

It is preferable that the screw-threaded engagement of the base D and projectile 65 body shall be as extensive as is practical in order to provide a strong connection between these parts.. Service conditions, however in some cases demand a maximum capacity tor the bursting chamber B. To conform to these conditions the intercepting plate G 70 and the inner end of the base are preferably made concave or cup-shaped as shown, thereby considerably increasing the capacity ot the chamber without materially weakening the connection. ' ₇₅

Aly invention provides an important improvement in the construction and mounting of the fuse E. The standard fuse now used in service is so constructed that its operative parts are accessible only from the inner 80 end ot the fuse, and this has necessitated the removal of the fuse from the-projectile whenever ibis necessary to inspect or replace such operative parts. As the fulminate of the fuse is liable to rapid deterioration, fre- 85 quent removal and inspection of the fuse is a practical necessity. With all projectiles having removable fuses with which I am acquainted, the walls of the projectile and fuse are so formed as to produce a grinding' 90 action between such walls during the removal of the fuse. As the parts can be thoroughly cleaned before insertion, such action is not of special importance at that time. After insertion, however, the dustlike grains tn P?^wderf^r0]n ^tbe bursting charge adhere to the walls-of the fuse and work in beliable tn ^{and the pro}-!^ef4^ile body and are liable to cause an explosion of the projecdurmg unfusing. According to my invention I overcome this difficulty by so forming the walls of the projectile and fuse ^tlOn i^to -^{the di}F^{ection of} movement oft he fuse during withdrawal that they separate without friction. While this end may be attained in various ways, Γ prefer it’s Sdn ^{he f}T ^{With at leasfc a} Portion of Dart ofth^{Pered ϊη}Λ^αΓ<1^’ ^{and to form that}pait of the projectile which carries the fuse ^k ^{a c}orrespondmgly tapered ^seat portion’ adapted to closely receive the tapered portion of the fuse and to exclude as far as possible the entrance of powder dust between them With such construction, the tapered wall of the fuse will, upon with- 115 drawa!, separate from the seat without moym£ upon the latter to any appreciable eltent, and will not generate sufficient friction to ignite the powder should there be tow lT ^the®^urfaces. This is 120 wfh’pi\ though the surfaces be rusted together to a considerable extent which is frequently the case in practice. With a cylinrical or other fuse fitting a corresponding

Sd w Th ^{ke C0}?^dltT^{s fc}?^le friction genet” 125 ated by the continued grinding action of the surfaces during, withdrawal of the fuse is often sufficient to ignite the charge. Preferably the. fuse is tapered practically throughout its entire length and fits within 130

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996,403 3 a: correspondingly tapered seat, as shown at <[ in Fig. 2. In this figure the fuse is shown as formed with a flanged head τ which.rests in an annular depression-formed around the 5 seat.

The fuse provided by my invention may be carried in any suitable part , of the projectile, but I prefer to utilize, the intercepting plate G for this purpose. By forming 10 the fuse and its seat in the manner indicated; there is little or no liability of powder working up between the fuse and its seat, but if necessary a second intercepting plate may be provided between the detachable base D and 16 the head of the fuse so as to prevent access of the powder to the inner surface of the rotatively removable base, such a plate being shown at L in Fig. 5.

It is important that the fuse E shalFbe 20 prevented from rotating during its removal, and with this form of fuse the tendency to rotate during withdrawal is reduced to the minimum. 1 may, however, form a lug s on the fuse which is received in a corre²⁵ sponding recess in the plate G. The fuse is also provided, with undercut recesses if for engagement -with any suitable withdrawing tool. For inspection purposes the base D may be unscrewed by any suitable spanner ³⁰ wrench engaging faces 2 formed on the head a and if it is desired to inspect the fuse only, the withdrawing tool is applied against the plate G and the fuse withdrawn. For gaining access to the charge of the projectile, ³⁵ the intercepting plate G is removed, carrying with it the fuse and leaving the passage C free for withdrawal of the charge or other purpose. Either of these operations may be accomplished without danger to the op⁴⁰ erator, as may also those of replacing the various': parts.

In Fig. 5 I have? shown my invention as applied to the regular armor-piercing shell or the United States service, the propor⁴⁶ l ions being substantially those used in practice. In this type of projectile the walls are relatively thick to obtain the maximum penetrating power and the bursting chamber is _k correspondingly small? as only a moderate bursting effect’ is required in this type of shell. In this construction the intercepter G is formed as a flat plate, and the base D' has its rear end formed as a plane surface instead of being cupped as in Fig; 2.

Γη Fig. 6 I have illustrated my invention as applied to the ordinary explosive shell of large caliber now in use. In this type of shell the maximum bursting effect is desired and to this end the capacity of the chamber Bis made as great us is practical. The intercepting plate G² in this construction is designed to increase the capacity of the chamber B as much as possible, the plate being concave, and preferably of funnel ⁶ ’. shape as shown. In this construction the base D² is formed with a central screwthreaded passage for the insertion and removal of the fuse, such passage being closed by a screw-threaded plug D³ as shown. In this construction there is danger of the 70 passage of the hot gases of the firing charge into the chamber B between the plug D³ and the remainder of the base. To prevent this, I provide a soft metal ring H' between the plate G² and the plug D³. which prevents 75 such gases from passing between the fuse and its seat, and also a ring H², which pre-¹vents their*passage along the outer wall of the intercepting plate and past the inner edge thereof to the bursting chamber. The 80 soft metal rotating band F² encircling the base D^! prevents, as before, the ingress of gases to the bursting chamber through, the exterior joint between the base and the projectile. In this figure I have illustrated, a ⁸⁵modified mode of preventing rotation of the soft metal band F² relatively to the base D². In this construction the band is formed with a series of lugs v which fit recesses w formed in the base as best seen in Fig. 7. ⁹⁰

In Fig. 8 I have illustrated a construction of an armor-piercing shell which is somewhat different from that shown in Fig. 5. In this figure the detachable base D* instead of being provided with a screw- ⁹5 threaded plug, has its flange Z>⁴ screw-threaded on its interior face to engage exterior threads formed at the rear of the projectile body. In this figure to obtain the desired weight of metal at the rear of the projectile, ¹⁰⁰I form the intercepting plate G³ of a thickness nearly equal to the length of the fuse. In .this construction I have shown a soft metal ring x held in an annular recess on the top of the plate to assist in seating the ¹⁰⁵latter and to relieve the friction between the base and the plate in unscrewing the : base. In this construction I have also shown the. soft metal rotating band F as located considerably at the rear of the external joint ¹¹⁰c between the base and projectile body, so .. that it acts only as a gas check in the rear of such joint, and has no additional function as a packing device as in the previous fig- . ures. The band F is held in place in this ¹¹⁶construction by a steel ring J of the same diameter as the projectile. Obviously the band may be screwed onto the projectile from the rear thereof, and. held in place by the ring J applied behind the band: or by providing suitable means for preventing relative rotation of the projectile and band during firing, the ring J may be omitted, such construction being illustrated in a sueceeding figure. . ·

In Fig. 9 1 have illustrated by invention as applied to a projectile of small caliber. In tliis type of projectile the charging passage is relatively small, usually but little larger than the ’diameter of the fuse. In ·'

996,403 this construction the intercepting plate G⁴is formed as a gasket with its inner wall tapered to receive the fuse. It is obvious that instead of supporting the fuse upon the 5 intercepting plate as in the previous figures, it may be mounted in any other part of the projectile.

In Fig. 10 I have illustrated the fuse as carried upon the detachable base plug IF of 10 the Usual type of projectile. In this construction to prevent the gases from the firing charge from reaching the bursting chamber, I have provided soft metal rings H³, II⁴ interposed between the base and the pro15 jectile body, and the base and removable plug D^e, respectively. In this figure and in Fig. 111 have shown the plug and projectile body as formed with interrupted screwthreads so as to permit attachment and de20 tachment of the base plug with comparatively slight rotation of the latter. This construction also illustrates a novel form of soft metal band F³ which instead of being formed with recesses i, is provided, with an 25 annular recess or groove i'. The gases from the firing charge enter this recess and expand the band against the rifling, as before described with reference to Fig. 2. These figures also illustrate the application of my 30 improved soft metal rotating band to ordinary service projectiles now in; use. This is accomplished by .turning down the rear of the projectile to slightly less than its original diameter and screw-threading the con35 tiguous wall of the projectile-fo a sufficient extent to receive the band. The wall of the projectile may be sufficiently reduced to leave a shoulder e' against which the band may be screwed, as shown in Fig. 10. In this 40 figure I have also' illustrated one modification of the fuse provided by my invention. In this construction the fuse E' is formed with a cylindrical wall q’, and a tapered end portion q² which fits in a seat q² formed 4 5 upon the inner part of. the detachable base P⁵. Preferably in this construction the base is formed with a cylindrical socket of slightly larger diameter than the fuse as shown. It is obvious that the tapered por50 tion g² of the fuse may be omitted and the cylindrical end of the fuse contact directly with the seat g²; it is also obvious that such seat may be flat instead of tapered as shown.

In Fig. 12 I have shown the base D⁷ as 55 constructed in the form of a cap and in this construction the soft metal rotating band F⁴is screwed directly on the cylindrical wall of the projectile itself, instead of being carried by the base. By screwing the base 60 firmly against the band, the joint between the base and projectile is sufficiently packed for most purposes to prevent entrance of the gases from the firing charge into the bursting chamber, even though the exteri* r joint of the base and projectile body is in this in- 65 stance located at the rear of the band F. In this figure I have shown a further modification of fuse which, in this instance is carried in the wall of the projectile. The fuse E² in this figure is formed with a ta- 70 pered portion y⁴ near the flange thereof,' while the body of the fuse is formed with a taper q·¹ of loss inclination. The projectile is formed with correspondingly tapered portions as shown. ₇₅

In the projectile shown in Figs. 1, 2, 5. 8, 9 and 12. it will be seen that the fuse is mounted in the interior of the projectile with an imperforate base extending entirely across the head of the fuse, and that in 80 Figs. 2 and 5 such base is of substantially the full diameter of the projectile and is formed with a plug portion of substantiallv the diameter of the bore of the projectile. By these constructions there is no liability 85 of the fuse being blown out of the projectile when the fuse explodes. In many instances it has been found that with the ordinary construction the fuse itself has been blown out of . the projectile without igniting the 90 bursting charge, the projectile failing to explode because the hot gases have not been able to reach the bursting charge when the fuse was forced out. This is particularly liable to happen in the case of fuses which 95 carry magazines at their inner ends for the purpose of intensifying the firing action of the fuse. My invention avoids this difficulty -in the manner just stated.

I do not herein claim the construction of ioo fuse and fuse socket herein described, such construction forming the subject matter of Patent No. 890,900, granted to menu the/ 16th day of June, 1908.

Though I have described herein several 105 modifications of my invention, I do not wish to be limited thereto, as many changes may be made therein without departing from my invention. N '