WW1 No 106 Mk 2 IMPACT FUZE (FUSE)

Impact fuze for Howitzer 4.5'' Projectile, The original fuze did not have a safety shutter, but the 106E type did. The shutter armed the fuze by revolving at speed. At the front is a plunger to trigger the device, which is further protected by a collar and weight, which is spun off in flight.
Its main use was in early Shrapnel shells when used for cutting barbed wire, but this was abandoned in favour of high explosive shells which were more effective, as the wire attached to pickets just bounced off. This fuse was in use in many variations almost up to the Second World War. Its most important feature was its speed of triggering (essential for wire breaking), but as more safety features were added this speed was lost and the fuze rendered obsolete.

A0469