Also known as: Schenkl combination fuse.
In the Half Shell Book: This subject is treated in Civil War Artillery Projectiles: The Half Shell Book, pp. 9-10, 21-23.
| Class | Combination (time plus percussion) |
|---|---|
| Designer | John P. Schenkl |
| Body | Zinc, with a time index on the top flange graduated 0 to 9 1/2 seconds |
| Time setting | Made by rotating the body to align two spiraling sets of holes |
Construction and setting
The Schenkl combination fuze had a zinc fuze stock whose top flange carried a time index graduated from zero to nine and one-half seconds. The fuze body was closed at the bottom and pierced by a series of small holes spiraling down from its middle to the end, while an inner metal case holding the combustible compound had holes spiraling the opposite way.
To arm the fuze the gunner removed the safety pin, lifted the spring clip, rotated the top to the correct time against a stamped arrow, and locked it, aligning the two sets of holes so the flame path was set for the chosen interval. A rotator at the top housed a plunger held by a soft-metal pin and an iron safety pin, providing the percussion element.
On this site
Sources & further reading
- Melton, Jack W., Jr. Civil War Artillery Projectiles: The Half Shell Book. Blue Ridge, GA: Historical Publications LLC, 2018.
- Benton, James G. A Course of Instruction in Ordnance and Gunnery. 2nd ed. New York: D. Van Nostrand, 1862.
- Hackley, Frank W. Civil War Explosive Ordnance. Revised November 10, 1960. U.S. Naval School, Explosive Ordnance Disposal.