Q. How are fuses inserted to make a tight joint?
A. By putting a special preparation, supplied by the Ordnance Department, on the threads. Never use red lead.
Q. Describe the action of a percussion-fuse and name parts.
A. On firing, the plunger-sleeve is forced to the rear and remains in this position during flight. On striking, the plunger and plunger-sleeve are forced forward and the prick-point of the plunger strikes the fulminate of the fuse; this ignites the priming charge in the fuse, which ignites the charge in the shell (Fig. 39).
Note.—There is a new fuse now prescribed for our artillery called "The Detonating Fuse." No one is permitted to take this fuse apart and its construction is kept secret.
COMBINATION ELECTRIC-FRICTION PRIMER.
NOTE: Current comes from the contacts at "A" passes through the platinum wire (heating it) out at "B" and thence to the body at "C" thence to the ground.