529 
SELF-ADJUSTING FIRING LANYARD FOR FIELD 
ARTILLERY. 
(WITH FUZE KEY ATTACHED.) 
BY 
LIEUT. C. B. SIMOMDS, R.H.A. 
Ever since tlie present system of ranging a battery, in which fire dis¬ 
cipline (in its present sense) plays such an important part, was first 
adopted, improvements have been made yearly in the effect o£ fire 
and also in control of it. Those interested in the results obtained after 
each season’s practice eagerly look forward to the official reports which 
are duly published, both at home and abroad. These official reports 
record, not only the results of the past season’s practice, but also sug¬ 
gestions of improvements and requirements for the ensuing season. 
After reading the “ Annual Report on Horse and Field Artillery 
Practice at Home, 1892/’ from which the following paragraphs are 
taken:— 
(1.) Page 37, para. 5 (Miscellaneous). 
“ The service of the lanyard and tube is one for which it is diffi¬ 
cult to suggest a less clumsy method, but some of the 
batteries tried a bandolier on the belt of the tube pocket 
to hold a few tubes, which could be filled and refilled dur¬ 
ing moments of leisure. The lanyard is hooked to a tube 
in the belt and a motion is saved. I think this slight 
change would increase the rate of service of the gun and 
should be tried.” 
(2.) also Page 32, paras. 7-8 (Fuze keys.) 
“ These are constantly breaking, owing to the studs giving way 
when fuzes are being fixed. Some batteries had their fuze 
keys attached to the carriage instead of to the number who 
has to use them. This seemed a good plan. I think that 
a fuze key should be attached with a lanyard to the near 
side of each gun carriage, and to the back of each limber 
and' wagon.” 
the writer considered a plan for facilitating the duties in the service of 
the gun as regards both setting the fuze and firing. 
The self-adjusting firing lanyard, with fuze key attached, is a simple 
addition to the gun, and seems to admirably fulfil both these require¬ 
ments. 
10. VOL. XX. 
