IMPROVEMENTS IN FUZES AND SHELLS FOR ORDNANCE
Year: 1863

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to Edward Mounier Boxer, of the Royal Arsenal,
Woolwich, in the County of Kent, Lieutenant-Colonel Royal Artillery,
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said Edward Mounier Boxer
at the Office of the Commissioners of Patents, with his Petition, on
the 1st December 1863.
1, EDWARD MOUNIER BOXER, of the Royal Arsenal, Woolwich, in the
County of Kent, Lieutenant-Colonel Royal Artillery, do hereby declare the
nature of the said Invention for "IMPROVEMENTS IN FUZES AND SHELLS FOR
ORDNANCE," to be as follows:-
One part of my Invention has reference to that description of fuzes known
as time fuzes; "such fuzes have been constructed of a wooden body, having,
firstly, a chamber or "bore" filled with pressed gunpowder or a slow-burning
composition not in immediate communication with the charge of the shell;
and, secondly, one or more passages or channels filled with gunpowder
communicating directly with the charge of the shell, and having a number of
These side
side holes formed from the outside of the fuze into the channel.
holes were plugged up with any suitable material, and when the fuze was to
be used a borer was inserted through one of the same, and was made to pierce
the portion of the body intervening between the channel and the composition
Price 8d.1

page_text: The
bore, thereby establishing a communication between them, through which
when the composition had burnt down to that point. it ignited the gunpowder
in the channel, which in its turn fired the bursting charge of the shell.
time that elapsed from the moment of igniting the fuze to the explosion of
the shell was dependent on the direction of the hole made by the borer in
continuation of the side hole into which it was introduced, and in effecting
this operation it sometimes occurred that the borer was held in a slanting
position, whereby the communication between the powder channel and compo-
sition bore was not made at the exact required point, and the shell was
consequently exploded earlier or later than was intended.
Now my present improvements upon this arrangement consist. firstly. in
providing the composition bore with a lining of paper or papier mache; and,
secondly, in partially or entirely boring through the intervening part
of the body of the fuze between the composition bore and the powder
channel, in the exact required positions corresponding with those of each of
the before-mentioned side holes, so that on inserting the borer for establishing
the before-mentioned communication it shall with certainty effect the same
in the exact required position by being guided into the apertures already
partly formed. The papier mache lining to the composition bore not only
serves to allow of the fuze being so prepared, but also protects and preserves
the composition more effectually than before, when it was contained in the
wood bore, and prevents the liability of a space being formed between the
composition and the bore by shrinkage of the wood, as was heretofore the case,
thereby causing the shell to be exploded prematurely.
Another improvement consists in closing the head of the fuze with a metal
plug or cap screwed into the enlarged end of the composition bore in order to
prevent the fuze from being extinguished when the shell strikes an object,
which frequently occurs in the arrangement at present employed, where the
end of the composition bore is open, owing to materials being forced into
the fuze when the shell strikes an object. The ignition of the composition is
effected through side apertures formed in the body of the fuze. The head of
the fuze is bound round with wire to prevent it from splitting when the plug
is screwed in.
Another part of my Invention consists in combining with the time fuze just
described an arrangement similar to that now employed in fuzes of different
construction, by which the ignition of the composition is effected by means of
the shock imparted to the projectile on the firing of the gun. For this
purpose I prefer an arrangement of the following description: A chamber
is formed in the before-mentioned metal plug in the head of the fuze, the

page_text: bottom of which chamber is pierced so as to communicate with the composi-
tion bore, and a small quantity of fulminating compound is filled into a recess
formed over this aperture. A "detonator." or moveable piece of gun metal
or brass, or similar hard alloy, is placed in the upper part of the chamber,
resting against the top of the same, and is held there by means of a thin wire
of copper or brass, or similar alloy, passing through it and through the sides
of the plug. On the discharge of the gan the shock imparted to the pro-
jectile causes the piece of wire to be broken, and the "detonator," in striking
against the fulminating composition, ignites the same and fires the fuse. By
making the securing wire of a hard and tongh metal instead of a soft and
weak material. as heretofore employed in such detonators. the liability to
accidental explosion is greatly diminished. This arrangement is particularly
applicable to guns that have no windage, where the fuze cannot be ignited by
the flame of the charge of the gun. It may, however. be employed for
security in combination with the other arrangement for igniting the fuze.
Another part of my Invention consists in the employment of the before-
described wooden time fuze, with or without a detonator as a percussion fuze,
to shells fired from rified ordnance, and in the formation of the fuze holes of.
such shells for that purpose. This is effected by simply forming a hole of a
certain length or taper in the head of shell to receive the wooden fuze, the
degree of taper and the length of the hole being so regulated as to permit of
the fuze being driven into the interior of the shell by the blow which it
receives on coming in contact with the object against which the shell is fired,
the ignition of the bursting charge of the shell being thus effected by the
burning fuze at the moment of impact.
Another part of my Invention relates to metal percussion fuzes for exploding
the projectile on its striking an object. These have heretofore been generally
made with a moveable hammer, the inertia of which upon the shell striking an
object causes it to move forward and ignite the detonating composition; or they
consist of a loose projecting plug temporarily secured in various ways, which
is directly driven upon the detonating composition by the object struck, or of
a percussion cap placed upon a nipple. In all these cases, however, the
ignition of the bursting charge is effected at the moment of striking.
Now one of my improvements consists in substituting for the moveable
hammer, plug, or cap. a disc of metal with a projecting pin, which is securely
fixed into the head of the fuze, being made flush with the body of the same.
This disc is made of such a thickness, that upon striking, the object fired at.
it is bent in. thereby bringing the pin against the fulminating compound and
firing the same. This arrangement altogether prevents premature explosions

page_text: of the shell in or at the muzzle of the gun. and reduces the liability to
explode from accidental causes.
Another improvement consists in so arranging the fuze that it may be
made to ignite the bursting charge of the shell either immediately upon its
striking the object, or at any required short interval afterwards. For this
purpose form two chambers in the body of the fuze, communicating with
each other by means of one or more small apertures. The front chamber
contains the arrangement above described, or any other known arrangement
for igniting the detonating composition on striking, and communicates by
means of one or more small apertures with the back chamber of the fuze, in
which is placed a fuze composition, enclosed in a paper, papier mache, or
wood covering. open at the ends, so that at one end it communicates with
the bursting charge of the shell, whilst at the other end it is capable of being
ignited by the fulminating compound in the front chamber through the before-
mentioned aperture. The back chamber is also closed by means of a cap,
having one or more apertures to allow of the communication with the bursting
charge of the shell. If the fuze, be required to ignite the bursting charge
immediately upon striking. as heretofore, a borer is inserted through the
aperture in the cap covering the back chamber. and a hole is made right
through the composition, so that on striking, the flame from the fulminating
compound ignites the composition of the fuze, the flame from which instan-
taneously ignites the bursting charge of the shell.
fuze be required to ignite the bursting charge a
the hole in the composition is only made of such a depth as to leave a
thickness of solid composition corresponding with the time that it is required
to burn before igniting the bursting charge.
If, on the other hand, the
certain time after striking.
Another part of my Invention relates to that description of fuzes known as
"concussion fuzes," in which a hammer held by a temporary fastening is
liberated on the discharge of the projectile, and on the latter experiencing the
slightest resistance to its motion by coming in contact with an obstacle, this
hammer is thrown against a fulminating composition, which in exploding
ignites the bursting charge of the gun. Amorphous phosphorus has been
made use of in these fuzes in combination with other materials in such a
manner as to make a composition of a very sensitive nature.
Now, one of my improvements consists in priming one part of the fuze with
amorphous phosphorus, only protected from damp by the admixture of varnish
or gum, whilst another part of the fuze is primed with any known composition
that in itself is not of a very detonating character, but which ignites with
very great facility when coming in contact with amorphous phosphorus, the

page_text: one substance (whether the amorphous phosphorus or the compound) being
placed upon the pin, whilst the other is placed upon the hammer of the fuze.
Another of my improvements consists in arranging such concussion fuzes in
the following manner-One part of the fuze consists of a hammer of copper,
gun metal, or brass, or similar alloy, securely fixed to a hollow cylinder by
means of a copper. gun metal, or brass wire passing through both, they being
so. arranged that. the hollow cylinder on the breaking of the wire can move
along the hammer and fix itself to the same by means of a pointed projection
on the one fitting into a corresponding recess in the other. The hammer and
cylinder so fixed together are placed in the chamber of the fuze, and a cap
with a projecting pin is screwed into the head of the latter down upon the
cylinder, thereby preventing any motion of either cylinder or hammer whilst
the wire that connects them remains intact. When thus placed, the end of
the hämmer is situated at a certain distance from the pin. and they are either
primed with the separate substances, as described in the first of these improve-
ments, or the one or the other is primed with any of the explosive compounds
heretofore employed. Upon receiving the 'shock in the gun, the inertia of
the before-mentioned cylinder causes the wire to break, and effects the fixing
together of the hammer and cylinder. Upon the projectile striking the
ground, or any object, the head of the hammer is brought in contact with the
pin, and the priming situated upon the one or the other, or upon both, thereby
becomes ignited and effects the firing of the powder in the shell through an
aperture in the end of the body of the fuze.
SPECIFICATION in pursuance of the conditions of the Letters Patent, filed
by the said Edward Mounier Boxer in the Great Seal Patent Office on
the 31st May 1864.
TO ALL TO WHOM THESE PRESENTS SHALL COME, I, EDWARD'
MOUNIER BOXER, of the Royal Arsenal, Woolwich, in the County of Kent,
Lieutenant-Colonel Royal Artillery, send greeting.
WHEREAS Her most Excellent Majesty Queen Victoria, by Her Letters
Patent, bearing date the First day of December, in the year of our Lord
One thousand eight hundred and sixty-three, in the twenty-seventh year of Her
reign, did, for Herself, Her heirs and successors, give and grant unto me,
the said Edward Mounier Boxer, Her special licence that I, the said Edward
Mounier Boxer, my executors, administrators, and assigns, or such others as
1, the said Edward Mounier Boxer, my executors, administrators, and assigns,

page_text: should at any time agree with, and no others, from time to time and at
all times thereafter during the term therein expressed, should and lawfully
might make, use, exercise, and vend, within the United Kingdom of Great
Britain and Ireland, the Channel Islands, and Isle of Man, an Invention
for "IMPROVEMENTS IN FUZES AND SHELLS FOR ORDNANCE," upon the condition
(amongst others) that I, the said Edward Mounier Boxer, my executors, or
administrators, by an instrument in writing under my. or their, or one of their
hands and seals, should particularly describe and ascertain the nature of the
said Invention, and in what manner the same was to be performed, and cause
the same to be filed in the Great Seal Patent Office within six calendar
months next and immediately after the date of the said Letters Patent.
NOW KNOW YE, that I, the said Edward Mounier Boxer, do hereby
declare the nature of the said Invention, and in what manner the same
is to be performed, to be particularly described and ascertained in and by the
following statement thereof, reference being had to the accompanying Drawing,
and to the figures and letters marked thereon, that is to say:
One part of my Invention has reference to that description of fuzes known
as "time fuzes." Such fuzes have been constructed of a wooden body, having,
firstly, a chamber or "bore" filled with pressed gunpowder or a slow-burning
composition not in immediate communication with the charge of the shell;
and, secondly, one or more passages or channels filled with gunpowder,
communicating directly with the charge of the shell, and having a number
of side holes formed from the outside of the fuze into the channel. These
side holes were plugged up with any suitable material, and when the
fuze was to be used a borer was inserted through one of the same, and was
made to pierce the portion of the body intervening between the channel and
the composition bore, thereby establishing a communication between them,
through which when the composition had burnt down to that point, it ignited
the gunpowder in the channel, which, in its turn, fired the bursting charge of
the shell. The time that elapsed from the moment of igniting the fuze to the
explosion of the shell was dependent on the direction of the hole made by the
borer in continuation of the side hole into which it was introduced, and in
effecting this operation it sometimes occurred that the borer was held in a
slanting position, whereby the communication between the powder channel
and composition bore was not made at the exact required point, and the shell
was consequently exploded earlier or later than was intended.
Now my present improvements upon this arrangement consist, firstly, in
providing the composition bore with a lining of paper or papier mache; and,
secondly, in partially or entirely boring through the intervening part of the

page_text: body of the fuze, between the composition bore and the powder channel. in the
exact required positions corresponding with those of each of the before-
mentioned side holes, so that on inserting the borer for establishing the
before-mentioned communication it shall with certainty effect the same in the
exact required position by being guided into the apertures already partly
formed. The papier mache lining to the composition bore not only serves to
allow of the fuze being so prepared, but also protects and preserves the com-
position more effectually than before, when it was contained in the wood bore,
and prevents the liability of a space being formed between the composition.
and the bore by shrinkage of the wood, as was heretofore the case, thereby
causing the shell to be exploded prematurely.
Another improvement consists in closing the head of the fuze with a metal
plug or cap screwed into the enlarged end of the composition bore in order to
prevent the fuze from being extinguished when the shell strikes an object,
which frequently occurs in the arrangement at present employed, where the
end of the composition bore is open, owing to materials being formed into the
fuze when the shell strikes an object. The ignition of the composition is
effected through side apertures formed in the body of the fuze. The head of
the fuze is bound round with wire to prevent it from splitting when the plug
is screwed in.
Figures 1 and 2 on the accompanying Drawing show a wooden time fuze
constructed according to this part of my Invention. Figure shows an
elevation of the fuze, and Figure 2 shows a longitudinal section through the
same. is the body of the fuze, b is the paper or papier mache lining to the
composition bore, containing compressed gunpowder and fuze composition
d; e is the powder channel, and f. f. f. are the side holes partially bored
through the part of the body of the fuze intervening between the composition
bore and the powder channel, in order that when the borer is inserted through
any one of these holes for establishing the communication between the com-
position bore and the powder channel, the borer shall be guided into the exact.
position in which the communication is required to be made. In the arrange-
ment shewn there are two such powder channels and sets of side holes, but a
greater or less number may be used according to the degree of subdivision
required for the time that elapses between the firing of the fuze and the
bursting of the shell. 9. g. are the escape holes communicating with the
composition bore, in which a quick match is placed. serving to ignite the
composition on the firing of the gun. The openings to these passages are
protected by means of copper and papier mache discs . which are removed
when the fuze is about to be used. m is the metal cap screwed into the cularged

page_text: end of the composition bore, and p is the metal wire bound round the
head of the fuze in order to prevent its being split by the screwing in of
the metal cap.
Another part of my Invention consists in combining with the time fuze just.
described an arrangement similar to that now employed in fuzes of different
construction; by which the ignition of the composition is effected by means of
the shock imparted to the projectile on the firing of the gun. For this
purpose I prefer an arrangement of the following description:-A chamber or
"detonator" is formed in the before-mentioned plug in the head of the fuże.
the bottom of which chamber is pierced so as to communicate with the com-
position bore, and a small quantity of fulminating compound is filled into a
recess formed over this aperture. A hammer or moveable piece of gun metal,
or brass, or similar hard alloy, is placed in the upper part of the chamber
resting against the top of the same, and is held there by means of a thin wire
of copper or brass, or similar alloy, passing through it and througli the sides
of the plug. On the discharge of the gun, the shock imported to the projectile
causes the piece of wire to be broken, and the hammer, in striking against
the fulminating composition, ignites the same and fires the fuze. By making
the securing wire of a hard and tough metal instead of a soft and weak
material, as heretofore employed in such detonators, the liability to accidental
explosion is greatly diminished. This arrangement is particularly applicable
to guns that have no windage, where the fuze cannot be ignited by the flame
of the charge of the gun. It may, however, be employed for security in
combination with the other arrangement for igniting the fuze. Figure 3 shows
an elevation, and Figure 4 shows a longitudinal section of a wooden percussion
time fuze constructed according to this part of my Invention. Those parts of
the fuze that are similar to the arrangement already described in Figures 1
and 2 are indicated by similar letters of reference, and need therefore not be
against described. m, m, is the chamber or detonator screwed into the head
of the fuze, and containing the hammer n, held in the position indicated by
the wire o, passing through the hammer and through the sides of the chamber
m. The upper end of the hammer is close against the cap m' that is screwed
into and closes the top of the chamber or detonator m. The hammer n is
provided at its lower end with a projection n', which, on the firing of the gun,
and the consequent breaking of the wire o, strikes against the small quantity
of fulminating compound q, placed in a cavity in the bottom of the chamber
or detonator, and ignites the same, and the resulting flame, passing through
the small aperture r in the bottom of the chamber or detonator, ignites the
fuze composition or compressed gunpowder in the composition bore. s is a

page_text: protecting cap of felt. cemented on.
Figure 5 shows an elevation of the
chamber or detonator m detached, and Figure 6 shows a detached view
of the hammer . Figure shews an clevation. and Figure 8 shows a
longitudinal section of a percussion time fuze of the same construction as
that before described, but having the side holes f. f, entirely bored through
the body of the fuze u, so that only the papier mache lining b has to be
pierced to establish the communication between the powder channel and
composition bore.
Another part of my Invention consists in the employment of the before-
described wooden time fuze, with or without a detonator, as a percussion fuze
to shells fired from rifled ordnance, and in the formation of the fuze holes of
such shells for that purpose. This is effected by simply forming a hole of a
certain length or taper in the head of the shell to receive the wooden fuze,
the degree of taper and the length of the hole being so regulated as to permit
of the fuze being driven into the interior of the shell by the blow which it
receives on coming in contact with the object against which the shell is fired,
the ignition of the bursting charge of the shell being thus effected by the
burning fuze at the moment of impact.
Figure 9 shows a vertical section of the head of a shell for rifled ordnance
A, into the open end of which is screwed a gun metal bouche B for receiving
the wooden percussion time fuze C, which is of the same construction as that
described with reference to Figures 3 and 4. The length and taper of the
fuse hole here shown are those requisite for full charges in the gun; with
reduced charges the length of the hole must be reduced accordingly. A fine
screw thread is cut upon the fuze hole in order to allow of the fuze being
securely fixed in it. Upon striking the object fired at, the ignited fuse is
driven right into the shell and immediately fires the bursting charge.
Another part of my Invention relates to metal percussion fuzes for exploding
the projectile on its striking an object. These have heretofore been generally
made with a moveable hammer, the inertia of which, upon the shell striking
an object, causes it to move forward and ignite the detonating composition;
or they consist of a loose projecting plug, temporarily secured in various ways,
which is directly driven upon the detonating composition by the object struck,
or of a percussion cap placed upon a nipple; in all these cases, however, the
ignition of the bursting charge is effected at the moment of striking.
Now one of my improvements consists in substituting for the moveable
hammer, plug, or cap a disc of metal with a projecting pin, which is securely
fixed into the head of the fuze, being made flush with the body of the same.
The disc is made of such a thickness that, upon striking the object fired at,

page_text: it is bent in, thereby bringing the pin against the fulminating compound and
firing the same. This arrangement altogether prevents premature explosions
of the shell in or at the muzzle of the gun, and reduces the liability to explode
from accidental causes.
Another improvement consists in so arranging the fuze that it may be made
to ignite the bursting charge of the shell either immediately upon its striking
the object, or at any required short interval afterwards. For this purpose I
form two chambers in the body of the fuze. communicating with each other
by means of one or more small apertures. The front chamber contains the
arrangement above described, or any other known arrangement for igniting
the detonating composition on striking, and communicates by means of one or
more small apertures with the back chamber of the fuze. in which is placed a
fuze composition enclosed in a paper or papier mache or wood covering, open
at the ends. so that at one end it communicates with the bursting charge of
the shell, whilst at the other end it is capable of being ignited by the fulmi-
nating compound in the front chamber through the before-mentioned aperture.
The back chamber is also closed by means of a cap. having one or more
apertures to allow of the communication with the bursting charge of the
shell. If the fuze be required to ignite the bursting charge immediately upon
striking, as heretofore, a borer is inserted. through the aperture in the cap
covering the back chamber, and a hole is made right through the composition,
so that on striking. the flame from the fulminating compound ignites the
composition of the fuze. the flame from which instantaneously ignites the
bursting charge of the shell. If, on the other hand, the fuze be required to
ignite the bursting charge a certain time after striking, the hole in the com-
position is only made of such a depth as to leave a thickness of solid compo-
sition corresponding with the time that it is required to burn before igniting
the bursting charge.
Figure 10 shows an elevation. and Figure 1 shows a longitudinal section
of a percussion fuze constructed according to this part of my Invention. a is
the metal body of the fuze. upon the outer surface of which a screw thread is
formed for screwing it into the shell; is the front chamber, containing the
fulminating compound c. and closed by means of the metal cap d. This cap
has a projecting ring d', and the metal of the cap surrounding the same is
made very thin, as shown, as that when the head of the fuze strikes the object
against which it is fired, the cap is bent in and the pin is thereby driven
against the fulminating compound and caused to ignite the same: is the
back chamber, communicating with the front chamber by means of the aper-
tures, f. and containing the fnze composition 7 enclosed in the paper. papier

page_text: mache, or wood covering h. The back chamber is closed by the cap i, having
a small aperture i'. through which the borer is inserted in order to perforate
the fuze composition to an extent determined by the time that is required to
elapse between the impact of the shell and the bursting of the same. Figure
12 shows a longitudinal section through a fuze of the same construction as
that just described, with the fuze composition entirely perforated, so that the
bursting charge of the shell is ignited at the moment of impact. Figure 13
shows a side view of the metal cap and pin detached, and Figure 14 shows a
plan of the same from beneath.
Another part of my Invention relates to that description of fuzes known as
"concussion fuzes." in which a hammer held by a temporary fastening is
liberated on the discharge of the projectile, and on the latter experiencing the
slightest resistance to its motion by coming in contact with an obstacle, the
hammer is thrown against a fulminating composition, which in exploding
ignites the bursting charge of the gun. Amorphous phosphorus has been
made use of in theşe fuzes, in combination with other materials, in such a
manner as to make a composition of a very sensitive nature. Now one of my
improvements consists in priming one part of the fuze with amorphous phos-
phorus only. protected from damp by the admixture of varnish or gum, whilst
another part of the fuze is primed with any known composition that in itself
is not of a very detonating character, but which ignites with very great
facility when coming in contact with amorphous phosphorus, the one substance
(whether the amorphous phosphorus or the compound) being placed upon the
pin whilst the other is placed upon the hammer of the fuze.
Another of my improvements consists in arranging such concussion fuzes in
the following manner:--One part of the fuze consists of a hammer of copper,
gun metal, or brass, or similar alloy, securely fixed to a hollow cylinder by
means of a copper, gun metal, or brass wire passing through both, they being
so arranged that the hollow cylinder, on the breaking of the wire, can move
along the hammer and fix itself to the same by means of a pointed projection
on the one fitting into a corresponding recess in the other. The hammer and
cylinder so fixed together are placed in the chamber of the fuze, and a cap
with a projecting pin is screwed into the head of the latter down upon the
cylinder, thereby preventing any motion of either cylinder or hammer whilst
the wire that connects them remains intact. When thus placed the end of
the hammer is situated at a certain distance from the pin, and they are either
primed with the separate substances, as described in the first of these improve-
ments, or the one or the other is primed with any of the explosive compounds
beretofore employed. Upon receiving the shock in the gun, the inertia of

page_text: the before-mentioned cylinder causes the wire to break and effects the fixing
together of the hammer and cylinder. Upon the projectile striking the
ground, or any object, the head of the hammer is brought in contact with the
pin, and the priming situated upon the one or the other, or upon both,
thereby becomes ignited and effects the firing of the powder in the shell
through an aperture in the end of the body of the fuze.
Figures 15 and 16 shew respectively an elevation and longitudinal section
of a concussion fuze for screwing into the fuze hole of any ordinary shell
constructed according to this part of my Invention. a is the body of the fuze,
the head of which is closed by a cap b. having a pin b' primed with amorphous
phosphorus; c is the hammer, to which is secured the cylinder d. in the
position indicated by the wire e passing through both the two parts are held
stationary in this position in the chamber of the fuze by the cap b pressing
upon the front end of the cylinder d. The back end of this cylinder has a
projecting portion d', which, upon the firing, of the gun and the consequent
approaching of the cylinder and hammer, fixes itself into the notch e' in the
back part of the hammer, thereby uniting the two parts and rendering them
loose in the chamber. The hammer c is formed hollow, and is charged at the
front end with any explosive compound that ignites readily when brought
in contact with the amorphous phosphorus upon the pin of the cap; the back
part of the hammer is filled in with fuze composition or pressed gunpowder g,
perforated as shown, in order that the flame may at once ignite the powder h
in the back of the fuze, which in its turn fires the bursting charge of the shell.
Figures 17, 18, and 19 show detached views respectively of the cap b, the
cylinder, and hammer c.
Figures 20 and 21 show respectively an elevation and longitudinal section
of a concussion fuze similar in construction to that just described, adapted for
a shrapnell shell of my construction. The various parts fulfilling the same
functions as those of the previous arrangement are designated by the same
letters of reference, and do not require to be further described.
The cap b,
as also the hammer c and cylinder which are larger in diameter than those
in the before-described arrangement, are shown detached respectively in
Figures 22, 23, and 24.
Having now described the nature of my Invention, and the best means I
am acquainted with of performing the same, I wish it to be understood that
1 do not claim generally the combination of a time fuze with a "detonator"
for igniting the fuze by the action of a hammer upon a detonating substance
on the firing of the gun, as I am well aware that such arrangements have
already been employed, nor do I limit myself to the precise combinations of

page_text: my. improvements as herein-before described with reference to the accom-
panying Drawing, but what I claim under the before in part recited Letters
Patent is,
First, enclosing the fuze composition of wooden time fuzes in a casing of
paper or papier.mache.
Second, partially or entirely boring through the part of the wooden fuze
between the composition bore and the powder channel or channels in positions
corresponding with those of the side holes.
Third, closing the end of the wooden fuze before described with a metal
plug or cap, and binding the head of the fuze round with metal wire to prevent
its splitting; also forming side passages in the fuze for igniting the composi-
tion and for the escape of the gases.
Fourth, combining with wooden time fuzes, such as before described, a
"detonator" for igniting the fuze by a detonating compound acted upon by a
weight or hammer that is liberated by the shock imparted to the shell on the
firing of the gun.
Fifth, constructing shells to explode on coming in contact with the object.
fired at, by forming a hole in the head of the shell and fixing into the same a
wooden fuze that is ignited on the firing of the gun, and is driven into and
ignites the bursting charge of the shell on striking the object fired at.
Sixth, constructing percussion fuzes in which a fixed disc or cap having a
pin or projecting portion is bent in on coming in contact with the object fired
at, thereby causing the pin or projecting portion to strike against and ignite a
detonating composition.
Seventh, combining with a percussion fuze, that is ignited on coming in
contact with the object fired at, a time fuze for igniting the bursting charge of
the shell at any required short interval after striking the object.
Eighth, priming the one part of concussion fuzes, whether the hammer or
the pin, with amorphous phosphorus, and the other part with any known
composition that in itself is not of a very detonating character, but that
ignites very readily when brought in contact with amorphous phosphorus.
Ninth, constructing the hammer of concussion fuzes of two parts so con-
nected by a wire or other means that, hefore the projectile receives the shock
from the firing of the gun, only one such part can act upon the detonating
composition if the connecting wire or other means be accidentally broken,
whilst by means of the shock imparted to the projectile upon the firing of the
gun the two parts become so joined together. that when the projectile strikes
an object both parts are made to act upon and ignite the detonating compo-

page_text: sition, as herein-before described with reference to Figures 15 to 24 on the
accompanying Drawing.
In witness whereof, 1. the said Edward Mounier Boxer, have hereunto
set my hand and seal, this Twenty-eighth day of May. in the year of
our Lord One thousand eight hundred and sixty-four.
Witness,
C. D. ABEL,
20, Southampton Buildings,
Chancery Lane.
E. M. BOXER. (L.S.)