280 
MINUTES OF PBOCEEDINGS OF 
AEMSTEONG’S (C) PEECUSSION FUZE, 
DYEE’S PATTEEN . 1 
BY CAPTAIN VIVIAN DEEING MAJENDIE, E.A. 
CAPTAIN INSTBUCTOB, EOTAL 1ABOEATOEY. 
Some little time back 2 1 furnished a description of a new time fuze which 
had been recently adopted for the higher natures of Armstrong shells, on the 
grounds that “the means of access to sections or specimens of this fuze, or 
other opportunities of becoming acquainted with its construction, being 
wanting to many officers in the Eegiment,” I thought such a description 
“ might be acceptable, and perhaps, in some cases, useful.” 
Eor the same reason, and because some officers have expressed a favour¬ 
able opinion as to the value of the paper, I am induced to give a description 
of a new percussion fuze, designed by Major Dyer, E.A., which has recently 
been adopted for the four lower natures of Armstrong segment shells. 
This fuze is a modification of Armstrong’s brass percussion fuze, pattern 
C—the object sought to be attained being greater security from accidental 
explosion. 3 
It consists of six principal parts, viz. Body, Bottom, Pellet, Detonator, 
two Suspending Pins, and four Washers. 
The Body (aaa) is made of an alloy similar in character and appearance to 
gun metal, but rather softer for convenience in working. 4 It is a hollow 
cylinder about an inch in length and the same in diameter. 5 The cylinder 
is closed at the top with the exception of four small “ flame holes” (66), equi¬ 
distant from one another, which are drilled vertically through the top, for the 
purpose of affording a passage to the flash of the time-fuze when the time 
and percussion fuzes are used conjointly. These holes are closed by means 
1 Approved 6th Sept., 1864. Sec. W. O. C. No. 3 (New Series), par. 955. 
2 See “Proceedings”, B. A. Institution, Yol. IV. p. 171. 
3 The security of this fuze against accidental explosion has been tested in the Boyal Gun 
Factories, by “jumping” several of the fuzes in a wooden box, which was raised two inches by 
means of a cam, and allowed to fa]l by its own weight 140 times in a minute. Fifty-five hours of 
this treatment had no effect upon the fuzes, (Extracts from .Reports and Proceedings O. S. C. 
Vol. II., p. 142), although sufficiently severe to wear some of the cases considerably. 
4 The alloy is—Copper 30 lbs., Tin 1^ lb.. Zinc 2 lbs., Lead 1^ lb.— Specification. 
5 The actual dimensions are— 
.{Sf g T:::::: 
Diameter C High gauge. 
(not over rim). (_Low „ . 
1-051 inches. 
1-039 „ 
1-067 „ 
1-047 „ 
Ibid. 
