CHAPTER 4

Ammunition comes in a great range of sizes and types and is often designed
to work only in specific weapons systems. However, there are internationally
recognized standards for certain ammunition types (e.g., 5.56×45mm NATO) that
enable their use across different weapons and by different users. There are also
specific types of ammunition that are designed to have a specialized effect on a
target, such as armor-piercing shells and tracer ammunition, used only in certain
circumstances. Ammunition is commonly labeled or colored in a specific manner to
assist in the identification and to prevent the wrong ammunition types from being
used accidentally or inappropriately.

LESSON

Ammunition

Legal Definition

Ammunition refers to the loaded shell for rifles, muskets, carbines,

shotguns, revolvers, and pistols from which a ball, shotshell, or other missiles may be
fired by means of gunpowder or other explosives. The term also includes
ammunition for air rifles, as mentioned in the code. (Chapter VII, Sec.290 of NIRC
as well as Sec 877 RAC)

Technical Definition

Ammunition refers to a group of cartridges or to a single cartridge. A

cartridge is a completely unfired unit consisting of the bullet (ball), primer (cap),
cartridge case (shell), and gunpowder (propellant).

Origin:

The word cartridge was derived from the Latin word “Charta” meaning —
“paper” and also from the French word “Cartouche” meaning —rolled paper. This
only indicates that the first type of cartridge was made up of rolled paper. It was
about the turn of the 16th century that the term “cartridge” came to use.
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Figure 31. Various cartridges from left to right: .50 BMG, 300 Win Mag, .308
Winchester, 7.62 Soviet, 5.56 NATO, .22LR types of cartridges.

A. General types of Ammunition

1. Dummy (fake) model = a type of ammunition that merely resembles the

genuine one. It is a carefully made replica of a cartridge, usually of tool steel and
dimensioned, to be used by weapons instructors, inspectors, and repairmen when
checking the functioning of the weapon.

2. Drill Ammunition (w/o gun powder) = It is a type of ammunition that is

completely inert, without an explosive, and is used in mill training to practice loading
and manipulation of the gun. It is sometimes called “dummy” although in the strict ~
since there is a difference.

Figure 32. Drill Ammo.

3. Blank Ammunition (w/o bullet) = ammunition without a bullet, containing

gunpowder that is designed to generate a loud noise to indicate firing. This type of
ammunition is used for theatrical performances or filmmaking, training dogs, and
military training.

4. Live Ammunition = is the term applied for a complete unit of the unfired
cartridge.

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Figure 33. Yugoslavian 7.9 mm Blank Cartridge

Figure 34. The component Parts of a Cartridge

B. Classification of Cartridges
1. According to the location of the primer

a. Pin-fire = is a type of cartridge in which the ignition cap (primer) is

concealed inside the cartridge case and has a pin resting upon it. The pin
protrudes radially through the side and the gun chamber has a notch for the
pin to stand when loaded and it will be struck by a falling hammer. This type
of cartridge is said to have been used by the French in the 1830s in shotgun
ammunition and later in revolver and pisto| ammunition. At present. there
are still some traces of this kind although it is no longer being used or
manufactured.
b. Rim-fire = is a type of cartridge in which the priming mixture is located at
the hollow rim of the case and can be fired if the cartridge is tucked by the
firing pin on the rim of the case (cavity rim). It may be identified easily by the
smooth base of the cartridge and which may or may not have a headstamp
imprinted on it (1860-1880). At present, this type of cartridge is entirely
confined to the caliber .22 short, long, or magnum.
c. Center-fire = refers to a cartridge in which the primer cap (ignition cap) is
centrally placed in the base of the cartridge case and the priming mixture is
exploded by the impact of the firing pin and with the support of the anvil. The
flame produced by the ignition of the priming mixture will pass through the
vent or flash hole and will ignite and combust the gunpowder.

Head stamp is frequently used and it consists of the design or later imprinting
on the shell head. It sometimes contains the manufacturer or maker, as well as
the date of manufacture.

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(a) (b) (c)

Figure 35. (a) Pinfire, (b) Rimfire, and (c) Center Fire Cartridges

2. According to Rim Diameter

a. Rimmed case type = a type of cartridge in which the case has a well-defined
upstanding rim around the base or simply a cartridge with a rim diameter greater
than the diameter of the body of the shell. A common example of this is caliber 22
and .38 used in revolvers.

b. Semi-rimmed type = a cartridge with a case slightly rimmed. At first glance, a

cartridge is a rimless form but with a closer look, the rim is slightly greater than the
diameter of the body. This was invented by John Browning for an automatic pistol in
1903 for greater fit to the chamber. It is commonly seen in 6.35 mm, 7.65 mm, and
9mm, and Browning long automatic pistol cartridges.

c. Rimless type = a type of cartridge with a case having a rim diameter equal to the
diameter of the body, with an “extraction groove” cut around the base. Its advantage
is that it allows the cartridge to slide into the magazine. This is commonly used in
9mm and caliber .45 pistols.

d. Rebated type = refers to the cartridge with a rimless pattern, but which has a
rim diameter smaller than the body of the case. It is seen in some Oerlikon 20 mm
cannon cartridges and later on some custom-built sporting rifles of unusual calibers.

e. Belted type = a cartridge with a prominent raise belt around its body just in front
of the extraction groove. This is used for two basic purposes: (1) to position the case
and the projectile accurately in the chamber and (2) to strengthen the rear of the case
for use with high-powered propelling chargers.

Caliber designation and its interpretation are difficult factors to explain to a layman
for their inconsistencies and varieties.

In English-speaking countries, the caliber of the gun or cartridge used is expressed in

one-hundredth (0.01”) or one-thousandths (.001”) of an inch. Thus, we have
caliber .22 inch, .25 cal, .38 cal, .45 cal, etc.

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In countries using the metric system of measurements, the caliber is

expressed in millimeters, thus we have 6.35 mm, 7.62mm, 9mm, and 11mm. In
cartridges, the caliber is generally referred to as the base diameter of the bullet. This
is measured with the use of a caliber.

Calibers in cartridges in inches and their appropriate equivalent in mm and use:

Inches MM Use

Cal .22 about 5.59mm used in revolvers, pistols

Cal .25 about 6.35mm used in pistols and rifles
Cal .30 about 7.63mm used in carbines and
Cal .30 about 7.63mm (luger) rifles
Cal .32 about 7.65mm for automatic pistols and
revolvers
Cal .380 about 9mm used for pistols
Cal .38 about 9mm used for revolver
Cal .357 about 9mm used (magnum) .357
revolver
Cal .44 about 11mm used in magnum .44
revolver
Cal .45 about 11mm used in automatic pistols
Cal .50 used in .50 cal machine
gun

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Figure 36. From left to right: .50 Action Express, .44 Magnum, .357 Magnum, .45
ACP, .40 Sew, 9 mm Luger Parabellum,.22 Long Rifle.

Shotgun Cartridge

Shotgun Cartridge

It refers to a complete unit of unfired Cartridge consisting of pellets, primer,

case, wads, and gunpowder.

Figure 37. Shotgun Cartridge

Parts of the Shotgun Cartridge:

1. Case or casing = usually made from plastic or paper rolled which houses the
powder, pellets, and wads.

2. Primer = a battery-type primer containing the igniter.

3. Pellets = a number of lead shots contained in the case.

4. Wad = a paper designed to separate the pellets from the powder charge.

5. Powder charge = also known as the propellant or gunpowder.

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Figure 38. Parts of a Shotgun Cartridge

Gauge of Shotgun

Compared with other types of firearms, the shotgun has very unique
characteristics in terms of its diameter designation both for its firearm and cartridge
use. The unit of measurement used in a shotgun is expressed in Gauge. This is
determined by the number of solid lead balls of pure lead, each with a diameter of the
barrel that can be prepared from one pound of lead. If for instance we have 12 balls
that can be made out of one pound of lead and each bail exactly fitted to the inside of
the barrel of a shotgun, the gun is called a 12-gauge or 12-bore shotgun. Each lead
ball for a 12-gauge should therefore weigh 1/12 of a pound. Such is applied in almost
all types of shotguns in which the diameter is expressed in a thousandth of an inch.
At present, the 10-gauge shotgun is considered with the biggest diameter while
the .410 is the smallest one. Listed below are the equivalents of diameter from gauge
to inch.

Gauge Inch

10 .775 inch

12 .729 inch

16 .670 inch

20 .615 inch

28 .550 inch

410 .410 inch

Types of Shots

1. Soft or Drop Shots - made by pure or nearly pure lead, to which a small amount
of arsenic has been added to make it take on the form of a spherical drop as it falls
down the shot tower. This type gets easily deformed or flattened, and they lose their
velocity quicker, and it has low penetrating power and tends to string out more.

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2. Chilled or Hard Shot - a type of shot with a small amount of antimony mixed
with lead to increase hardness. It does not deform easily, has better patterns, less
string, and has more uniform velocity and penetration.

3. Coated or Plated Shot - also called a “lubaloy” shot. It is a chilled shot coated
with thin copper through an electroplating design for greater strength and elasticity,
great resistance to deformation, and a leading and better pattern.

4. Buck Shot = a large-size lead shot for use in shotguns.

Module No. 5
Introduction

A projectile is a missile propelled by the exertion of a force which is allowed

to move free under the influence of gravity and air resistance.[1][2] Although any
objects in motion through space are projectiles, they are commonly found
in warfare and sports (for example, a thrown baseball, kicked football, fired bullet,
shot arrow, stone released from catapult).
In ballistics mathematical equations of motion are used to analyze
projectile trajectories through launch, flight, and impact.

CHAPTER 4

PROJECTILE

LESSON

Learning Outcomes:

At the end of the lesson, you can:

1. Understand the definition and parts of a bullet;
2. Differentiate and understand the general and miscellaneous types of
bullets; and
3. answer the given exercises in the lesson.

Time Allotment: 2 hours

Discussion:
Projectile

Definition

The word projectile is a generic term used when referring to any metallic
or non-metallic ball that is propelled from a firearm. It may also be referred to as
bullet, slug, shot, or missile.

The word “Bullet” was derived from the French word “Boullette” which
means a small Ball. This term is generally used when we are referring to a projectile

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fired from any small arms, which has a variety of form, especially during the earlier
history. In a more technical sense, ‘Bullet refers to a metallic or non-metallic
cylindrical ball propelled from a firearm. And it is sometimes called as shots or
slugs.

General Types of Bullets

Bullets have various types depending upon their specific nature and
purpose. In general, bullet can be classified as either Lead or Jacketed.

 Lead Type - is a type of a bullet  Jacketed Type - is a type of

that is basically composed of bullet consisting of the regular
lead metal. It is primarily for its lead core, coated ; with a
density; having a good weight copper alloy in order Core to
in a small size and easy for prevent lead fouling of the
casting. barrel and is generally used in
pistols and other high powered
guns.

Figure 39. Lead Type Bullets with

Cannelure

Figure 40. Jacketed Type Bullet

and its Composition

Types of Bullets According to their Maximum Effect on their targets:

1. Ball Type — This is a type of bullet that is intended for antipersonnel and general
use.

2. Armor Piercing — It is a type of military bullet designed to penetrate light steel

armor. Its mechanical construction makes it capable of penetrating through some
light vehicles. It is formed by a hard metal steel core covered with a jacket, thus,
giving its core the optimum power of piercing while its shape has the optimum shape
for accurate flight. It was first patented in about 1903 by Roth of Vienna; although, it
was largely introduced for snipers countering the small armor shields in the First
World War in 1914-1918.

3. Explosive Bullet ~ It is a small bullet containing a charge of explosives that

detonates on impact.

4. Incendiary Bullet -Type of military bullet used to cause fire in a target, generally
designed for use by aircraft armament in order for the fuel tanks to ignite. (Blue Tip)

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5. Tracer Bullet - a type of military bullet capable of leaving visible marks or traces
while in flight giving the gunner the chance to observe the striké of the shot or make
adjustments in the event of a miss. It resembles a ball type, although the rare portion
of the core is removed and the space is filled with a mixture of magnesium powder,
barium nitrate and metallic salts to give the desired color of the flame or smoke (red-
tip).

(a) (b)
Figure 41. (a) A tracer bullet and (b) tracer bullet fired by the military personnel

Figure 42. From top left clock wise: Hallow Point, Wad Cutter, Black Talon,
Hydrashock

Miscellaneous Types of Bullets

1. Baton Round = is the proper name used when referring to a “rubber bullet”. This
type of bullet was first developed for the Hong Kong Police and was made of wood,

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due to its ability to split on impact with the ground thus, possible of inflicting
wounds. It was later replaced by rubber. This is generally a plain cylindrical rubber
or plastic used in 12bore, 26mm or 37mm riot gun and fired by a low powered
charge.

2. Compound bullet = a type of a bullet that has a dense metal core covered with a
jacket of lighter metal which does not bring lead into contact with the rifling of the
weapon. This was designed by Major Rubin of the Swiss Army in the 1880's.

3. Discarding Sabot = a type of bullet designed for greater velocity. It has a ball
covered with light metal which separates when fired. The Remington Arms has its
own version called the accelerator bullet.

4. Dum-Dum = is a type of bullet that was designed in India in the 1890’s by Captain
Bertie Clay. It consists of a service ball that has an exposed nose due to a trimmed
jacket at the back. At present, the term is loosely used in describing any expanding
bullet.

5. Frangible ball type = is a type of bullet designed for training purposes especially
for aerial targets. It does not cause any damage to the target rather it leaves a paint
mark for the purpose of assessing the gunners.

6. Flechette = a dark-like solid projectile, stabilized in flight by fins. It was in used as

early as 1914 and at present the cartridge for 12 gauge is loaded with 20 steel
flechettes.

7. Heel bullet = is a type of bullet commonly used in pistol having its rear portion
reduced in diameter in order to fit into the mouth of the shell, thus making the rest of
its part appear flushed with the mouth of the shell.

g. Hallow point = is a type of bullet in which the nose is drilled out to the certain
depth leaving a hole, the purpose is to be able for the bullet to deform upon impact
making a “mushroom bullet”. ’

9. Lethal Ball = British term used when referring to a single shot; this was issued to
the members of the Home guard anti-personnel use during World War Two.

10. Multiple bullet = is a term applied to a number of two or three bullets forming a
cartridge; it was patented in the early 1990s by George Luger.

11. Soft point = refers to any type of bullet with a jacket short that has its nose
exposed thus, capable of deforming upon the impact and it is common for hunting
purposes.

12. Spitzer bullet = is the term used by the American and British Sportsmen when
referring to a pointed bullet.

13. Streamlined bullet = is a type of a bullet that has front section tapered to a point
and its rear section tapered to a Smaller diameter, thus, reducing the base drag.

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(a) (b) (c)

(d) (d-1) (e)

(f) (g
Figure 43. (a) Baton Round, (b) Compound Bullet, | (c) Crude Type of Dum-Dum
Bullet, (d) Discarding Sabot (d-1) Accelerator Bullet, (e) Flechette Bullet, (f) Spitzer
and Boat-tailed Bullet, (g) Multiple Bullet.

Module No. 6
Introduction

Cartridge cases are most commonly made of brass, although steel is also
widely used, and cases for shotgun pellets are made of brass and cardboard. The
cases of most military rifles and machine guns have a bottleneck shape, allowing a
small-calibre bullet to be fitted…
In the earliest days of small arms, cartridges began to evolve as an
alternative to the slower process of handling a powder flask for charging each
shot. In a rudimentary cartridge, a charge of black powder was measured into
a thin paper or linen tube that was slightly smaller than the bore.  A ball was
then placed on top of the powder in the tube and secured with glue or a string.
Early breechloaders incorporated a sharpened cutter blade atop the
breechblock. A paper cartridge was loaded, but when properly seated, stood

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slightly out of the barrel. When the shooter closed the action, the cutter
sheared off the rear of the cartridge, exposing propellant to the flash hole. This
eliminated misfires caused by excess paper blocking the flame from the
percussion cap.
The Burnside rifle used an unusual brass cartridge that was largely
supported by the breech rather than the barrel. A small covered hole in the
base of the cartridge received the blast from the percussion cap; the seal
burned through, igniting the powder charge. The Burnside cartridge walls
were stiff and did not expand sufficiently to seal the bore.
The true modern cartridge is flexible enough to expand under pressure
and completely seal the rear of the barrel, yet strong enough to remain intact
at peak operating pressure. Its diameter must be slightly smaller than that of
the chamber to keep the cartridge case wall expansion to a minimum. The
length dimensions have to match the chamber’s corresponding support
surfaces so that the case can withstand the blow of the gun’s firing pin.

CHAPTER 4

CARTRIDGE CASE

LESSON

Learning Outcomes:

At the end of the lesson, you can:

1. Understand the definition of cartridge case;
2. Differentiate and understand the functions, parts and types of cartridge;
and
3. answer the given exercises in the lesson.

Time Allotment: 2 hours

Discussion:
Cartridge Case

Definition

Cartridge Case - is the metallic or non-metallic tabular container usually

made of brass (70% copper and 30%zinc); it is designed to unite the bullet, primer
and the gunpowder into one unit. It is also known as a shell or casing.

Traditionally, a cartridge case is made of brass although there are many

present day cartridges that are made of plastic, varnish steel, zinc-coated or even
chemically coated are t use.

Functions of the Cartridge Case

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1. It properly locates the bullet relative to the bore of the firearm.

2. It is used to carry the means of ignnion.

3. It provides gas seals at the nieech against an unwanted escape of propellant gas
upon firing.

4. Serves as the waterproof container for the propellant or powder charge.

5. Acts as the insulator between the propellant and the hot walls of the chamber in a
rapid firing of firearms.

Figure 44. Various Types of Cartridge Cases

Parts of the Cartridge Case

1. Base - the bottom portion of the cartridge case which contains the head stamp
marking on the base of the shell containing the caliber, manufacturer and in some
cases including the date, trade name, and batch number.

2. Rim - is that part of the cartridge case designed to limit the forward movement of
the cartridge to the chamber.

3. Extracting grooves - is the circular groove near the rim of the shell designed for
automatic withdrawal of the case from the chamber.

4. Primer Pocket - is that part of the shell which provides the means for the primer
to be put in the central position. Its function is extended to: (a) hold the primer in
place; (b) to provide means to prevent the escape of gas; (c) to provide solid support
for primer anvil.

5. Body - is the cylindrical part of the shell which houses the gunpowder.

6. Shoulder - that part of the cartridge case which supports the neck of the
cartridge which is evident in a bottleneck type.

7. Cannelure - is the cylindrical groove in the outer surface of the cartridge case
designed to secure the shell to the chamber as well as to prevent the bullet from
being pushed down to the powder charge. In some instance it is even being utilized
for identification.

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8. Neck - is that part of the shell which is actually occupied by the bullet. This is
obvious in a bottleneck type of shell but not with the straight type.

9. Crimp - is the cylindrical groove on the mouth of the shell designed for two
purposes: One (1) is to hold the bullet and prevent it from being pulled out from the
shell and Two (2) to offer resistance to the bullet out of the neck to ensure the
burning of the gun powder.

10. Vent or Flash hole - is the hole at the bottom of the primer pocket that serves
as the passage way for the priming mixture to impart an ignition to the propellant
charge.

Figure 45. Parts of the Cartridge Case

Types of Cartridge Case

1. Straight type = a type of a cartridge case or shell which has a straight shell body
usually found on cartridge used in an automatic weapon.

2. Tapered type = a type of a cartridge case similar to a flower base. It is found in

caliber .22 magnum-jet.

3. Bottle-neck = a type of cartridge commonly found in am-munitions for rifles.

Module No. 7
Introduction

In firearms and artillery, the primer (/ˈpraɪmər/) is the chemical and/or

device responsible for initiating the propellant combustion that will push
the projectiles out of the gun barrel.
In early black powder guns such as muzzleloaders, the primer was
essentially the same chemical as the main propellant (albeit usually in a finer-
powdered form), but poured into an external flash pan, where it could be
ignited by an ignition source such as a slow match or a flintlock though some
muzzleloaders have primers like cap gun caps. This external powder was

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connected through a small opening at the rear of the gun barrel that led to the
main charge within the barrel. As gunpowder will not burn when wet, this
made it difficult (or even impossible) to fire these types of weapons in rainy or
humid conditions.

CHAPTER 4

PRIMER

LESSON

Learning Outcomes:

At the end of the lesson, you can:

1. Understand the definition, parts and functions of primer;
2. Differentiate and understand the kinds and types of primer; and
3. answer the given exercises in the lesson.

Time Allotment: 2 hours

Discussion:
Primer

Definition

Primer (also called CAP) is the ignition system of the used in a center fire
type, containing a highly sensitive chemical compound that would easily ignite or
burst into flame when struck by the firing pin. It may either be Berdan, Boxer type or
battery type. These are the three kinds of primer according to t is also known as the
percussion cup.

Figure 46. Primer of a cartridge fired from: Pistol (left, fired, as indicated by the
dimple from a firing pin) and shotgun (right) primers against an inch and mm scale.

The Berdan is a type of primer construction, which was designed in the

1860s by Colonel Hiram S. Berdan of the U.S Army Ordinance Department. Its
distinction over the boxer is that, its anvil forms part of the cartridge case and a
number of flash holes to serve as the passage of ignition usually two (2). This is
common in almost all military ammunition.

The Boxer on the other hand, was developed by Col. Edward M. Boxer of
the Royal Laboratory at Woolwich Arsenal in the year 1866. This type of anvil was
formed separately from the shell and became a part of the ignition cap making a
single flash hole to serve as the passage of ignition. Despite the difficulty in
manufacturing, it has become popular because of its adaptability for reloading.

Origin of Ignition System

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The term ‘lock’ has been used since the ancient times to refer to the ignition
system. Many kinds of ignition system were used in ancient weapons such as the
muskets. The earliest of these is the “match lock” also referred to as refined
“serpentine lock” with a s-shaped piece of metal pivoted on the stave, the forward
end holding the hump fiber treated with saltpeter, twisted and tied by a thread to
retain the twists to make it slow burning. It burns at about 3 to 5 inches per hour.

The match lock was later superseded by a “wheel lock” in the early years of
the 16" century. This ignition system is comparable to - the modern principle of our
cigarette lighters. A roughened wheel, driven by a spring that needs to be first would
up or spanned: producing sparks igniting the priming powder and passed through a
touch hole burning the powder charge.

Fifty years later, the “flint lock” ignition system was developed (also Known
as “snap-lock”). In this system a simple mechanical fire striking lick called
“snaphaunce” replace the wheel mechanism and an iron right-angle pan cover hinged
over the priming pan, constituted the flint lock. The hinged will be stricken by the
cock upon release of the trigger, causing the hinged cover to be thrown back,
exposing and igniting the priming powder by the sparks produced by the scraping
flint along the iron. This system was used until the start of the 19" century when the
percussion system was finally been developed.

Alexander John Forsyth, a minister of Belhelvie in Scotland, known as

the father of percussion system developed a better system of ignition in the year
1805. He devised a formula composing of mercury fulminate that would easily ignite
upon a single struck. The percussion system was spread and almost totally replaced
the flint lock in the year 1840. This led to the making of the famous percussion cap of
Joshua Shaw in 1814 and finally adopted py the British Army in the year 1838 and by
the American in the year 1842.

Parts of the Primer

1. Primer Cup - is the brass gilding metal cup which contains the priming mixture,
the disc and the anvil.

2. Priming Mixture - is the highly sensitive chemical compound which ignites by the
mechanical blow of the firing pin. It is also called as percussion powder.

3. Anvil - is the portion of the primer which provides solid support and absorbs the
blow of the firing pin causing friction that would initiates ignition.

4. Disc - is a thin paper or foil which is pressed over the priming mixture in order to
protect it from moisture attack.

Types of Priming Mixture Compound

1. Corrosive = one containing potassium chlorate which when ignited produce

moisture causing the formation of rust in the bore of the firearm. Other components
are antimony sulfide and mercury fulminate.

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2. Non-Corrosive = one which is designed for less chances of rusting by replacing the
potassium chlorate with barium nitrate.

Gunpowder, also commonly known as black powder to distinguish it from

modern smokeless powder, is the earliest known chemical explosive. It consists of a
mixture of sulfur, carbon, and potassium nitrate. The sulfur and carbon act as fuels
while the saltpeter is an oxidizer.
CHAPTER 8

PROPELLANT (GUNPOWDER)

LESSON

Learning Outcomes:

At the end of the lesson, you can:

4. Understand the definition, of gunpowder;
5. Understand the definition and classification of explosives; and
6. answer the given exercises in the lesson.

Time Allotment: 2 hours

Discussion:
Propellant (Gunpowder)

Definition

Gunpowder (also called propellant or Power Charge) is a mixture of

chemicals of various compositions designed to propel the projectile by means of its
expansive force of gas when bummed.

The Development of Gun Powder

If there are much of literary works on firearm identification, the History of

Gunpowder is the most controversial of all topics incorporated in their field of study.
Powders and explosives are at most times credited to the Chinese and the Arabs; they
have had a pyrotechnic composition of sorts --fireworks long before anything of the
kind was known in Europe, but there is no warrant for considering that they had
invented guns and gun powder. On the other hand, according to Prof. J.K.
Partington, a British Chemist, at about 1000 A.D., the Chinese knew about saltpeter-
based gunpowder.

The question of where it was discovered, who first used it for guns, and who
invented it is still a mystery. Maybe this is caused by a lack of proof beyond doubt as
to the claim of various writers as to who invented the gunpowder and realized its
capabilities. Two of the most popular individual whose name is always attached to
gunpowder discovery were Roger Bacon and Berthold Schwarz. Let’s take a short
description of how their names are always mentioned in history.

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Roger Bacon, (1242 A.D.) a Franciscan monk, wrote the ---" De Mirabili
Potestate Artis et Naturae” (On the Marvelous Power of Art and Nature), including
an anagram. This anagram was only re-arranged and properly punctuated by a
British Artillery Officer named Colonel Hime, and it read —" but of saltpeter taken
seven-part, five of young hazel twig and five of sulfur, and so they wilt call up
thunder and destruction of thou know the art’. This is practically a working
gunpowder formula.

Bacon did not make any claim of its discovery but suggested that by 1266 the
gunpowder was already common knowledge and he was merely reporting it as a fact.
Maybe another reason why he never made any claim is due to the prohibition
existing during his time that no form of an article involving explosives should be
made. If he was to directly print the same it might even cost him his life.

Berthold Schwartz(whose real name was Constantin Anklitzen), a

mysterious monk of Freiburg, who according to. The legend is supported by an
engraving dated 1643, while experimenting on some powder in a cast iron vessel he
ignited a charge and thus view off the lid, and from this deduced the principle of
containing a charge in a tube and propelling a shot (Encyclopedia of ammunition).
The engraver dated the scene 1380, and it was evident that well before that date,
cannons were already in use.

Another person in the year 1325 A.D. wrote his own literary work entitled
“De Offices Regnum’, which illustrated the firing of a cannon. There is no
explanation of the picture but it is clearly shown a bulbous tube, with an arrow
protruding from the muzzle, being ignited by a man with a hot iron.

Explosives

Definition

An explosive is any substance that may cause an explosion by its sudden

decomposition or combustion. It is material either a pure single substance or a
mixture of substances which is capable of producing an explosion by its energy.

Classification of Explosives

1. Propellants or low explosives= burns but do not explode and function by

producing gas that produces an explosion. E.g. black powder and smokeless
powder.

2. Primary explosive or initiators = explodes or detonate when they are heated or

subjected to shock. They do not burn; sometimes they do not even contain the
elements necessary for combustion. The material themselves explodes, and
the explosion results whether they are confined or not e.g. mercury fulminate,
lead oxide, lead salts, or picric acid.

3. High explosives = detonate under the influence of the shock of the explosion
of a primary explosive. They do not function by burning; in fact, not all of
them are combustible, but most of them can be ignited by a flame and in a

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small amount generally burn tranquility and can extinguish easily e.g TNT,
dynamite, nitroglycerine, picric acid.

Other forms of Explosives

Nitroglycerine (NG)= a high explosive substance widely used in industrial

explosives. It has been the main component of many dynamites. It is an oily liquid
made of nitric acid, sulfuric acid, and glycerine.

Trinitrotoluene (TNT) = is the most widely used explosive usually used in

military explosives.

RDX = also. called hexogen or cyclonite o, cyclotrimethylenetrinitramine. It

is the most important military explosive used today.

Nitrocellulose (NC) = or cellulose nitrate or nitro-cotton, is the nitrate ester

of cellulose that serves as the main ingredient of many smokeless powders.

Bomb = is poorly defined as a hollow projectile of iron generally spherical,

containing an explosive material that is fired by the concussion of by time fuse.
Modern bombs are no longer constructed on the such pattern.

The Black Powder

Black Powder - the oldest known explosive, was initially made from
saltpeter (75%), charcoal (15%), and sulfur (10%). This formula varies in percentage
and even in composition in different countries throughout the world. This mixture is
ground into fine dust, called “Serpentine” which was said to have been used until the
middle of the 16" century. After such form, a “corned powder was used to replace
serpentine, for being more stable. But due to its high sensitivity leading to accidents
modifications had been made to develop other forms. Some used potassium nitrate
while others used sodium nitrate. But whatever forms or composition of black
powders there is generally a great disadvantage of this powder. (T creates a dark
smoke and causes fouling. This creates a problem not only for the gunner but also for
the gun itself.

These problems in the use of black powder were later remedied with the
introduction of smokeless powder. According to Harrison, Captain E. Schultze of the
Prussian Army made the 1st successful use of smokeless powder in the shotgun in the
year 1864.

Although historically nitroglycerine compound was first discovered in 1846.

The basic ingredient used for smokeless powder is nitrocellulose which was first
produced by adding nitric acid to cellulose fiber.

Later, M. Vieille of French developed the first smokeless powder for riffle in
the year 1884 and named it “Poudre B” taken after Gen. Boulanger’s name.

In 1887, Alfred Nobel invented a smokeless powder with nitroglycerine

(40% and nitrocellulose (60%) as the main composition

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and called it “Ballistite”’. In Great Britain, they utilized picric acid in addition to
cellulose powder which they called ‘Lyddite’ while in Germany TNT (Tri-
nitrololeune) was used. The latter is more powerful than picric acid but much more
difficult to detonate. Also In the year 1889, Prof. Abel, a British War dept. Chemists
developed “Cordite” a smokeless powder with the same composition as Nobel in the
form of cords or sticks. And in the early 1890s smokeless powder had replaced black
powder and became uniformly used worldwide by the year 1900.

Figure 47. Gun Powders (Propellants)

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