Notes on German fuzes and typical French and Belgian fuzes

24
Designation. — K.Z. 14 n.A.— Eanonen-Zunder, 1914, never Art
(new design of 1914 pattern gun fuze).
—
Used with.
Maximum
G-un. Pattern of Shell. range,
percussion.
yards.
(77 cm.) fieldgun (96 n/A.) '14 H.E. 9,186*
'15 H.E. and long gas 9,186
shell (green cross)
(7"62 cm.) infantry gun H.E. shell... 1,968
(converted Kussian field
gun)
%
Nature. — Percussion: non-delay action only.
Material.— Zinc body and steel cap. The original X.Z. 14 fuze
{see Bemarks) is made of brass, aluminium, or zinc, with either a
brass or a steel cap.
Remarks.
—
This fuze has largely replaced the originalK.Z.14
fuze (non-delay percussion), which was introduced towards the end
of 1914 at the same time as the 1914 pattern field gun shell, and
was liable to cause prematures in the bore. The K.Z. 14 fuze is,
however, still used for long gas shell (green cross). The K.Z.14
n.A. fuze differs internally from the K.Z. 14 fuze in that the
safety powder pellet is in a brass sleeve ; externally, it differs
only in the marking and in the shape of the cap, which is more
pointed.
Another variation of the K.Z. 14 fuze, marked K.Z. 14 m.V.,
was formerly used with the 7*7 cm. long shell, but has been
replaced by the pointed fuze L.K.Z.16 m.V. It was a delay
action percussion fuze designed for ricochet fire.
K.Z. 14 fuzes were often found marked K.Z.14 Z v K.Z. 14 Zl.,
K.Z.14 Zp., and K.Z.14 Zw., and a K.Z. 14 n.A. Zl.is also found.
The abbreviations Z., Zl., Zp. and Zw. probably refer to the zinc
alloy{ZinMegierung, &c.) of which these fuzes are made, but this is
not certain.
0 or stamped on the head of a K.Z. 14 fuze indicates
a detonator of superior quality.
* . With normal charge ; the maximum range with reduced charge is
6,562 yards.