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Depth charge pistol Mk.6 mod.2 , USA , WW2

pzgr40

Well-Known Member
Premium Member
Note : (P01) = picture 01. (P02,P05/3) = picture 02 & 03 / part No.3. (13)= Part No.13

Cutaway model of an US manufactured Mk.6 Mod.2 depth charge pistol (P01) from WW2 (10/1944).
This fuze is used in the US depth charges Mk6, Mk.7 and Mk.9

The Mk.6 and Mk.7 (P05) are cilinder shaped depth charges; the Mk.6 weighs 190,5 kg (420 lbs) and has a diameter of 447mm (17,62”), the Mk.7 weighs 347kg (765 pounds) and has a diameter of 631mm (24,87”).

The Mk.9 depth charge (P06) is drop shaped and has longitudal fins that guide the depth charge straight while sinking, also improving the sinking speed. The Mk.9 weighs 136 kg (300Lb). It has a steel ring at the top and bottom, so it has the outline of a cilinder and can be rolled of a deck into the sea, but it can also be fired by means of a launching installation towards the enemy submarine.

The depth charge pistol Mk.6 Mod.2 consists of a pressed steel fuze housing (P01/1) in which the pessure and fuze mechanism are housed. On top of the fuze housing the bronze mounting plate (P01,P03/2) is screwed, in which the setting mechanism for the different detonation depths is placed. On the bronze mounting plate the depths are stamped in a circular array. To the base of the flange a brass pipe is screwed (P01/3) to which a brass bellow (P01/4) is soldered. A brass flange (P01/5) is soldered to the base of the bellow. A small brass (P01/6) pipe is soldered to the underside of the brass flange. On top of the brass flange a shaft (P01/7) is placed to which a brass flange (P01/8) is screwed on top. On the base of the shaft a key (P01/9) is mounted in the longiudal direction.
The setting mechanism consists of a large pot (P01/10) with coarse square thread on the inside. On top of this pot an arrow indicator (P02/12) is placed to indicate the depth that has been set if the pot is rotated. In the large pot a small pot (P01/11) is placed with the same coarse square thread, but on the outside. The small pot is screwed in the large pot, but cannot rotate as the keyway in the small pot fits the key (P01/9) on the shaft. As soon as the large pot is rotated clockwise, the small pot moves straight upward, locking up and/or tensioning the spring (P01/13) between the inside of the small pot and the flange (P01/8).

There are two setting rings for detonation depth (P02) on top of the brass pot that has been placed in the Mounting flange (P01/2), the outer setting ring is for the 0 to 300 feet detonation depth (30, 50,75, 100, 150, 200, 250 en 300 feet), the inner -small- depth setting is for the deep detonation settings of 350 to 1000 feet (350, 400, 500, 600, 700, 800, 900 en 1000) and has a zero setting of ‘0 to 300 feet’ for when the outer setting ring is used. This setting is factory set and left unchanged when the outer setting ring is used. With this ‘0-300 feet ‘ setting the springloaded valve (P03/green) is opened, allowing the water to enter the inside of the fuze unrestricted along the lines of the red arrows drawn into the picture. The blue painted holes are the holes the water flows through inside the fuze.
The difference between using the outer- or the inner setting ring of the fuze is that by using the outer setting ring (30-300 feet), the fuze mainly funcions as a time fuze; the time required to fill the fuze housing with water and -partially- compress the main spring (P01/13) with the valve (green) in opened position descides the detonation depth.
When using the deep detonation setting, the valve (P03/green) is rotated so it moves downward (P03/ purple arrow) compressing the valve seat over the steel ball. This allows the valve to open only when the set depth is reached.

In the brass pipe (P01/6) a pressure spring (P01/14 is placed which presurizes the firing pin mechanism and wants to push it downward. The firing pin mechanism is locked in upper position by three steel balls (P04/15) which are forced outward by a steel bushing (P04/16 with a top part which has a reduced diameter (P04/17). On top of this reduced part a steel pin (P04/18 is placed). In the base of the bushing (P04/19) a pressure spring is placed which rests on the firing pin itself (P04/20), and forces the assembly (P04/16/17/18) in upward position, locking the three balls in outward position
As soon as pressure on the bellow (P01/4) forces the flange (P01/5) downward, two things happen; the pressure spring (P01/14) is tensioned and pressurizes the firing pin assembly, and the flange starts pushing the steel pin (P04/18) down (yellow arrow). This moves the reduced top part of the bushing in front of the balls which move inward , allowing the firing pin to move down into the firing cap (P04/21, missing). This will initiate the detonator, exploding the booster and the depth charge.

Complete length fuze : 318mm
Flange diameter : ø163mm

Regards, DJH
 

Attachments

  • Picture 01 - Depth charge pistol Mk6 Mod.2 with numbers.jpg
    Picture 01 - Depth charge pistol Mk6 Mod.2 with numbers.jpg
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  • Picture 02 - Depth setting dial DCP Mk.6  Mod.2.jpg
    Picture 02 - Depth setting dial DCP Mk.6 Mod.2.jpg
    243.7 KB · Views: 59
  • Picture 03 - Inlet valve and water inlet  DCP Mk.6  Mod.2.jpg
    Picture 03 - Inlet valve and water inlet DCP Mk.6 Mod.2.jpg
    253.8 KB · Views: 51
  • Picture 04 - Firing pin release mechanism  DCP Mk.6  Mod.2.jpg
    Picture 04 - Firing pin release mechanism DCP Mk.6 Mod.2.jpg
    193.8 KB · Views: 47
  • Picture 05 - Depth charge Mk.6 en Mk.7.jpg
    Picture 05 - Depth charge Mk.6 en Mk.7.jpg
    65.3 KB · Views: 48
  • Picture 06 - depthcharge Mk.9.jpg
    Picture 06 - depthcharge Mk.9.jpg
    97 KB · Views: 55
Hi Jason, more to follow in 2019. I'm allready bussy with some very interesting stuff.
Regards, DJH
 
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