Textbook of Ammunition, 1936

395 Pages·2007·36.32 MB·English

Notified in Army Orders for February, 1936
Crown Copyright Reserved
FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY
This Document is the Property of
H.B.M. Government
26 NOTE
Manuals
1543 The information given in this document is
not to be communicated, either directly or
indirectly, to the Press or to any person not
holding an official position in His Majesty's
Service.
TEXT BOOK
OF
AMMUNITION
1936
LONDON
PUBLISHED BY HIS MAJESTY'S STATIONERY OFFICE
1936
4
TABLE OF CONTENTS-continued
PAGE
CHAPTER .--continued.
§1.39 Metals ... 45
§1.40 Textile goods ••• ... 47
§1.41 Paper goods ... 50
CHAPTER II.-CARTRIDGES.
§2.01 Definitions 52
§2.02 The comparative advantages of the B.L.. and Q.F. cartridge
systems from the point of view of ammunition 53
§2.03 Determination of charge weight 54
§2.04 Adjusted charges 54
§2.05 Ballistic grouping of Lots 54
§2.06 Propellants in use ... 55
§2.07 Arrangement of the propellant 56
§2.08 Composite charges ... 56
§2.09 N.C.T. charges 57
§2.10 Flash-reducing charges 58
§2.11 Super-charges ... 59
§2.12 Charges for the prevention of coppering 59
§2.13 General functions of igniters ... 59
§2.14 Standardized igniters 60
§2.15 Auxiliary igniters 61
§2.16 Igniter covers 61
§2.17 Q.F. igniters ... 61
§2.18 B.L. cartridges. Construction 62
§2.19 Materials ... 63
1,
§2.20 Diameter and length 64
§2.21 Cartridges for B.L. guns in the field 64
§2.22 Cartridges for B.L. guns in the coast defence 64
§2.23 Cartridges for star shell 64
§2.24 Drill cartridges ... ••• 64
§2.25 Design of B.L. howitzer cartridges ... 64
§2.26 Arrangement of howitzer cartridges ... 66
§2.27 Markings on B.L. cartridges ... 67
§2.28 Q.F. cartridges. Introduction 69
§2.29 Construction 69
§2.30 Quality of materials 70
§2.3 1 The manufacture of brass cartridge cases 70
§2.32 Testing of cases... ••• 72
§2.33 Cleaning of cases 72
§2.34 Life of a Q.F. case ••• 72
§2.35 Typical Q.F. cartridges ••• 73
§2.36 Markings on Q.F. cartridge cases 74
§2.37 Packing of cartridges ... 79
5
TABLE OF CONTENTS-continued
PAGE
CHAPTER III.-TUBES.
§3.01 Definition 81
§3.02 Tubes general ... 81
§3.03 Initial ignition of the charge 81
§3.04 Packing of tubes 82
§3.05 Nature of tubes... ... 82
§3.06 Tube friction Mark IV 82
§3.07 Tube percussion " T " ••• 83
§3.08 Tube percussion S.A. cartridge, Mark II 84
§3.09 Tubes, vent percussion and electric ... 84
§3.10 Tube vent percussion -4-inch, Mark VIII 85
§3.11 Tubes, vent electric ... ... 86
§3.12 Tube vent electric -4-inch, Mark X ... 86
§3.13 Tube vent electric -5-inch, Mark VIII 87
§3.14 Drill tubes ... 87
§3.15 Markings of tubes ..• 88
§3.16 Defects in tubes ••• 88
§3.17 Employment of tubes 89
CHAPTER IV.-PRIMERS.
§4.01 Definition 91
§4.02 Electric primers 91
§4.03 Percussion primers ••• 91
41
-4404 Markings on primers ... 92
§4.05 Primer, percussion Q.F. cartridge, No. 1, Mark II 92
§4.06 Primers, percussion Q.F. cartridge, No. 2 ... 93
§4.07 Primer, percussion Q.F. cartridge, No. 11, Mark I 93
•
CHAPTER V.-PROJECTILES.
§5.01 Types of projectiles ... 95
§5.02 Design of Projectiles-Introduction 95
§5.03 Forces of projection ... 96
§5.04 Ballistic qualities in flight 99
§5.05 Weight 100
§5.06 Shape of projectile-external 100
§5.07 Steadiness during flight 103
§5.08 Length of projectile ... ••• 104
§5.09 Diameter of projectile ... 106
§5.10 Driving bands 106
§5.11 Shape of projectile-internal ... 114
§5.12 Capped shell ... 115
§5.13 Shell for use in guns and howitzers 116
§5.14 Manufacture of shell ... 116
§5.15 Practice shot ... ••• 118
6
TABLE OF CONTENTS-continued
PAGE
CHAPTER V.-continued.
§5.16 Proof shot 118
§5.17 Paper shot 118
A
§5.18 etie shot 118
§5.19 Common pointed (C.P.) and common pointed capped
(C.P.C.) shell ... -•• ••• 118
§5.20 Armour-piercing (A. P.) and armour-piercing capped
(A.P.C.) shell ... 120
§5.21 Semi-armour-piercing (S.A.P. and S.A.P.C.) shell H.E. 122
§5.22 High explosive (H.E.) shell 122
§5.23 Filling of H.E. shell ... 123
§5.24 Development of the modern exploder system 125
§5.25 Efficiency of H.E. shell 130
§5.26 Smoke shell ... 132
§5.27 Shrapnel shell ... 133
§5.28 Star shell 135
§5.29 Practice projectile ess 136
§5.30 Tracer shell 137
§5.31 Drill shell 137
§5.32 Mortar ammunition 137
§5.33 3-inch mortar bomb 10-1b. 138
§5.34 Insertion of plugs and fuzes 138
§5.35 Causes of blinds and prematures 139
§5.36 Markings on projectiles 140
§5.37 Weight markings on projectiles 145
CHAPTER VI.-FUZES AND GAINES.
§6.01 General remarks 147
§6.02 Metals used in manufacture of fuzes 147
§6.03 Safety arrangements ... 150
§6.04 Dynamical factors governing design 151
§6.05 Detonators for fuzes and gaines 158
§6.06 Gauge of fuzes ... 159
§6.07 Nomenclature of fuzes 159
§6.08 Blinds and prematures 160
§6.09 Markings of fuzes 162
§6.10 Percussion fuzes-direct action (D.A.) fuzes 163
§6.11 Fuze, percussion, D.A., No. 44, Mark X ... 165
§6.12 Fuze, percussion, D.A., No. 106E, Mark VIIIZ 166
§6.13 Fuze, percussion, D.A., No. 117, Mark IIIZ 169
§6.14 Fuze, percussion-direct action impact (D.A.I.), No. 45,
Mark IXZ 170
§6.15 Graze action fuzes 171
§6.16 Graze, percussion, nose fuzes ... 172
TABLE OF CONTENTS-continued
PAGE
CHAPTER VI.-continued.
§6.17 Fuze, percussion, No. 101E, Mark JIM, and gaine, No. .2.., 173
Mark IV, with delay ...
§6.18 Graze, base, percussion fuzes ... 175
§6.19 Fuze, percussion, base, Hotchkiss, Mark X 176
§6.20 Fuze, percussion, base, large No. 16, Mark IV 176
§6.21 New base fuzes ... ... ... ... 178
§6.22 Time, and time and percussion fuzes-Introduction 178
§6.23 Influences affecting rate of burning ... 180
§6.24 Burning or composition fuze mechanisms 183
§6.25 Fuze, time and percussion, No. 80, Mark X1 187
§6.26 Fuze, time and percussion, No. 88, Mark VI 189
§6.26 (a) Fuze, time and percussion, No. 220, Mark I 190
§6.27 Fuze, time, No. 199, Mark HI 190
§6.28 Mechanical fuzes ... 191
§6.29 Mechanical time fuzes ... 192
§6.30 Fuze, time, No. 203, Mark I ... 192
§6.31 Fuze, time, No. 200 ... 195
§6.32 Mechanical distance fuzes ... 196
§6.33 Preservation of fuzes-effect of climate 197
§6.34 Fuze cylinders ... ... ... 197
§6.35 Waterproofing and sealing of fuzes 197
16.36 Fuze covers 198
§6.37 Mortar fuzes ... ... 198
§6.38 Fuze, percussion, D.A., No. 138, Mark I ... 199
§6.39 Fuzes, percussion, D.A., Nos. 139 and 139P 200
§6.40 Rust-proofing ... ... ... 200
§6.41 Table of fuzes for land service 201
CHAPTER VII.-IMPLEMENTS FOR SETTING TIME FUZES.
§7.01 Introduction ... 209
§7.02 Theory of the corrector ... 209
§7.03 Height-fuze indicators for high-angle fire 213
§7.04 Fuze-setting instruments 213
§7.05 Fuze keys ••• 213
§7.06 Fuze-setting machines 214
CHAPTER VIII.-SMALL ARM AMMUNITION.
§8.01 Introduction ... 215
§8.02 -303-inch Service ball cartridge 217
§8.03 -303-inch armour-piercing cartridge 218
§8.04 -303-inch tracer cartridge ... ... 218
§8.04 (a) •303-inch observing cartridge ... 219
§8.05 Special ammunition for the Royal Air Force 220
8
TABLE OF CONTENTS continued
PAGE
CHAPTER VIII.-continued.
§8.06 -303-inch blank cartridge 221
§8.07 -303-inch drill ammunition ... •.• 222
§8.08 -303-inch dummy ammunition 222
§8.09 Packing of •303-inch ammunition 223
§8.10 Revolver and pistol ammunition 224
§8.11 Cartridge, S.A., ball, revolver, -455-inch, Mark II ... 225
§8.12 Cartridge, S.A., ball, pistol, self-loading, -455-inch, Mark I 225
§8.13 Cartridge, S.A., blank, revolver, •455-inch, L Mark IIT 225
§8.14 Cartridge, S.A., drill, revolver, -455-inch, D Mark I 225
§8.15 Cartridge, S.A., ball, revolver, •380-inch, Mark I 226
§8.16 Cartridge, S.A., ball, •5-inch, Mark IIZ 228
§8.17 Miniature rifle ammunition ... 229
§8.17 (a) Note regarding packing and labelling of S.A.A. 231
§8.18 Inspection and proof of small-arm ammunition 231
§8.19 Defects in small arm ammunition ... 232
CHAPTER IX.-1-INCH AIMING RIFLE AMMUNITION.
§9.01 Introduction ... 233
CHAPTER X.-GRENADES.
§ 10.01 Introduction ... 235
§10.02 Hand grenades .. 235
§10.03 Rifle grenades ... 236
§ 10.04 Grenade, -303-inch rifle, No. 36M, Mark I 237
§ 10.05 Signal grenades 239
§10.06 Signal grenades, 22-inch 240
§ 10.07 Grenade No. 54, Mark I 240
§ 10.08 Grenade No. 63, smoke, 2.5-inch, Mark I 243
§ 10.09 Rifle grenade cartridges 244
§10.10 Discharger, grenade, rifle, 2-inch, No. 1, Mark I 245
§ 10.11 Markings on grenades (other than signal) ... 246
CHAPTER XI.-DEMOLITION AND BLASTING EXPLOSIVES, AND STORES
CONNECTED THEREWITH.
§11.01 Introduction 248
§11.02 Guncotton 248
§11.03 Ammonal 250
§11.04 Nitroglycerine explosives 250
§11.05 Methods of firing... ... 251
§11.06 Fuze, safety, No. 16, Mark I ... 252
§ 11.07 Quick-match, 4 thread and 6 thread 252
§11.08 Fuze, instantaneous, Mark IV 252
§11.09 Fuze, instantaneous, detonating (Cordeau Detonant) 252
9
TABLE OF CONTENTS—continued
PAGE
CHAPTER XI.—continued.
§11.10 Detonator, No. 8, Mark VII ... ... 253
§11.11 Detonator, No. 27, Mark I ... ... 253
§11.12 Detonator, electric, No. 9, Mark IV ... ... 253
§11.13 Fuze, electric, No. 14, Mark IV ... ... 254
CHAPTER XII.—PYROTECHNIC STORES.
§ 12.01 Introduction ••• 255,
§12.02 Rockets ... 255
§12.03 Rockets, signal ... 256
§12.04 Rocket, light, parachute, 1-lb., Mark II 256
§ 12.05 Lights ... 257
§12.06 Port-fires 257
§12.07 Slow-match, Mark I 258
§12.08 Signal cartridges 258
§ 12.09 Illuminating cartridges 258
§ 12.10 Ground flares ... 258
§12.11 Smoke producers 259
§12.12 Signal vertical light ray 260
§12.13 Thunderflash, Mark I ... 260
TABLES
Table 1.07 Composition and explosion constants of different
propellants 19
Table 1.08 Properties of high explosives 21
Table 1.30 Initiating agents ... 38
Table 3.17 Employment of tubes ... 89
Table 5.24 Future standard methods of filling for the land service 129
Table 6.41 Table of fuzes for land service ... 201
LIST OF FIGURES
CHAPTER I.
Fig. 1.14.—Pictorial representations of cordite 26
Fig. 1.19.—Pictorial representations of cordite S.C. 28
CHAPTER II.
Fig. 2.08.—Cartridge B.L. 12-inch howitzer ... ••• 57
Fig. 2.14.—Igniters, old and standardized types 60
Fig. 2.17.—Q.F. metal igniter with Mark VI adapter... 62
Fig. 2.18.—Cartridge B.L. 6-inch gun ... 64
Fig. 2.20.—Cartridge B.L. 6-inch gun dumb-bell shape ••• 64
10
LIST OF FIGURES—continued
PAGE
CHAPTER II.—continued.
Fig. 2.22.—Cartridge B.L. 9.2-inch gun, cordite ... 64
Fig. 2.25.—Cartridge B.L. 9.2-inch howitzer ... ... 64
Fig. 2.35(a).—Cartridge Q.F. 4.7-inch Marks III-IV* guns
Fig. 2.35(b).—Cartridges Q.F. fixed ammunition. Typical for fu-ll. 73
charge ... ... ... ... 74
Fig. 2.35(c).—Cartridge for Q.F. 3.7-inch howitzer 73
F Fig. 2.36(a).—Typical sketch of stampings on base, repaired cases 76
Fig. 2.36(b).—Stencillings on the side and base of Q.F. cartridges,
separate ammunition (typical)... ... ... ... 76
CHAPTER III. •
Fig. 3.07.—Tube, Percussion " T " Mark I ... 83
Fig. 3.08.—Tube, percussion S.A. cartridge, Mark II ... 84
Fig. 3.10.—Tube, vent, percussion -4-inch, Mark VIII 86
Fig. 3.12.—Tube, vent, electric, -4-inch, Mark X ... 87
CHAPTER IV.
Fig. 4.05.—Primer, percussion, Q.F. cartridges, No. 1, Mark II 92
Fig. 4.05(a).—Primer, percussion, 6 and 3 prs.. blank, Mark III 92
Fig. 4.06.—Primer, percussion, Q.F. cartridges No. 2, Marks III,
IV and VII... 93
Fig. 4.07.—Primer, Percussion, Q.F. cartridges, No. 11, Mark I 94
CHAPTER V. PROJECTILES.
Fig. 5.06 (a) .—Shape of head 102
Fig. 5.08 (a) .-6-inch, C.P.B.C. 105
Fig. 5.08(b).-6-inch, A.P.C. 105
Fig. 5.10(a).—Method of attachment of driving band (ribs triangular
in section) 108
Fig. 5.10(b).—Method of attachment of driving band (knurled groove) 108
Fig. 5.10(c).—Types of driving bands for guns 112
Fig. 5.10(d).—Types of driving bands for howitzers ... 113
Fig. 5.10(e).—Economy driving bands-6-inch 26-cwt. howitzer and
60-pr. gun • • • • 113
Fig. 5.10(f).—Double driving bands 113
Fig. 5.10(g).—Augmenting strip 114
Fig. 5.11.—Shell B.L. with cap, 9.2-inch gun, Mark XIIB 115
Fig. 5.17.—Paper shot ... . 119
Fig. 5.19(a).---Method of filling shell, Q.F. common pointed 12-pr.
non-burster bag type ... 118
Fig. 5.19(b).—Common pointed shell with cap filled powder 119
Fig. 5.19(c).—Method of filling shell, B.L. (C.P.) typical for 6-inch
guns and 6-inch howitzers and above field service ••• 120
1 1
LIST OF FIGURES—continued
PA GE
CHAPTER V.—continued.
Fig. 5.20(a).—Armour-piercing shell filled powder ... 121
Fig. 5.20(b).—Armour-piercing shell with cap filled H.E. 122
Fig. 5.20(c).—Armour-piercing shell with cap filled H.E. trotyl bees-
wax... ••- 121
Fig. 5.24(a).—Method of filling shell, B.L. or Q.F., H.E. for coast
defence, 12-pr. and above ...
•-• 124
Fig. 5.24(b).—Method of filling, shell B.L.H.E., 6-inch gun, Mark
XXVI/XXB., coast defence ... ... 126
Fig. 5.24 (c). —Shell, B.L. or Q.F., H.E. (typical) for separate loading
ammunition, poured fillings ... ••• ... 127
Fig. 5.24(d).—Method of filling—H.E. shell, 3.7-inch to 9.2-inch,
amatol 80/20, hot mixed ... 128
Fig. 5.24(e).—Method of filling, 13- and 18-pr. (typical) ... 128
Fig. 5.24(f).—Method of filling shell, Q.F.H.E., 3-inch, 20-cwt. 16-1b.
Mark IIB ••• 130
Fig. 5.24(g).—Method of filling shell, B.L.H.E. streamline, 6-inch
howitzer, amatol 80/20, hot mixed . 130
Fig. 5.26.—Smoke shell (typical) ••• 132
Fig. 5.27.—Method of filling, shrapnel shell ... 134
Fig. 5.28.—Method of filling, shell, B.L. or Q.F. star (typical) 136
vFig. 5.33 (a) .—Bomb, M.L.H.E., 3-inch mortar, 10-1b., Mark II 138
Fig. 5.33(b).—Cartridges, M.L. 3-inch mortar, augmenting 100 grains
N.C.(Y.) and 95 grs. Ballistite 138
Fig. 5.36.—Distinguishing markings for gun and howitzer projectiles 146
`PTER VI.—FuzEs.
'Fig. 6.11.—Fuze, percussion, D.A. with cap, No. 44, Mark XZ 166
Fig. 6.12.—Fuze, percussion, D.A., No. 106E, Mark VIIIZ 168
Fig. 6.13.—Fuze, percussion, D.A., No. 117, Mark IIIZ 169
Fig. 6.14.—Fuze, percussion, D.A. Impact, No. 45, Mark IXZ 170
Fig. 6.16.—Game No. 9, Marks II and IIZ 173
Fig. 6.17.—Fuze, percussion, No. 101E, Mark TIM (with Gaine
No. 2, Mark IV with delay) ... 174
Fig. 6.19.—Fuze, percussion, base, Hotchkiss, Mark X ... 176
Fig. 6.20.—Fuze, percussion, base large, bronze, No. 16, Mark IV 178
Fig. 6.25(a).—Fuze, time and percussion, No. 80, Mark XI ... 188
Fig. 6.25 (b) .—Fuze, time, No. 80/44, Mark V ... 188
Fig. 6.26.—Fuze, time and percussion, No. 88, Mark VI 189
Fig. 6.26(a).—Fuze, Time and percussion, No. 220, Mark I 190
Fig. 6.27.—Fuze, time, No. 199, Mark III 191
Fig. 6.30(a).—Fuze, time, No. 203, Mark I 193
Fig. 6.30(b).—Fuze, time, No. 203, Mark I 194
Fig. 6.38.—Fuze, percussion, D.A., No. 138, Mark I ... 199
Fig. 6.39.—Fuzes, percussion D.A., Nos. 139 and 139 P. 200
12
LIST OF FIGURES—continued
PAGE
CHAPTER VII.-IMPLEMENTS FOR SETTING TIME FUZES.
Fig. 7.02(a).—Indicator fuze, No. 10, Mark I ... ... 211
Fig. 7.02 (b) .—Trajectory curve ... ... 212
Fig. 7.02(c).—Trajectory curve ... . 212
CHAPTER VIII.-SMALL ARM AMMUNITION.
Fig. 8.02.—Cartridge, S.A., ball, •303-inch, Mark VII 217
Fig. 8.03.—Cartridge, S.A. armour-piercing, •303-inch, W. Mark I 218
1„ Fig. 8.04.—Cartridge, S.A. tracer, •303-inch, G. Mark I 218
Fig. 8.06.—Cartridge, S.A. blank, •303-inch, L. Mark V 221
Fig. 8.07.—Cartridge, S.A. drill, •303-inch, D. Mark VI ... 222
Fig. 8.11.—Cartridge, S.A. ball, revolver, •455-inch, Mark II 226
Fig. 8.12.—Cartridge, S.A. ball, pistol, self-loading, -455-inch, Mark I 226
Fig. 8.13.—Cartridge, S.A. blank, revolver, -455-inch, L. Mark IIT 226
Fig. 8.15(a).—Cartridge, S.A. ball, revolver, •380-inch, Mark I ... 226
Fig. 8.15(b).—Cartridge, S.A. blank, revolver, •380-inch, L. Mark IT 226
Fig. 8.16.—Cartridge, S.A. ball, -5-inch, Mark IIZ 228
Fig. 8.17.—Cartridge, rim-fire, •22-inch, Mark I 226
CHAPTER IX.-1-INCH AIMING RIFLE AMMUNITION.
Fig. 9.01.—Cartridge, aiming rifle, 1-inch, electric, Mark II ... 234
CHAPTER X.-GRENADES.
Fig. 10.04.—Grenade, No. 36M, Mark I 238
Fig. 10.06(a)—Grenade, signal (day), No. 42, Mark I 240
Fig. 10.06(b).—Grenade, signal (night), No. 45, Mark I 240
Fig. 10.07.—Grenade, percussion, 2-inch, No. 54, Mark I 242
Fig. 10.08.—Grenade No. 63, smoke, 2.5-inch, Mark I 243
Fig. 10.09.—Rifle grenade cartridges ... 244
CHAPTER XI.-DEMOLITION AND BLASTING EXPLOSIVES, AND STORES
CONNECTED THEREWITH.
Fig. 11.12.—Detonator, electric, No. 9, Mark IV ... 254
CHAPTER XII.—PYROTECHNIC STORES.
Fig. 12.03.—Rocket, signal, 1-lb., Service, Mark III ... 256
Fig. 12.04. Rocket, light, parachute, 1-1b. 256
Fig. 12.05.—Light, long, blue, green and red, Mark III 257
Fig. 12.08.—Cartridge, signal, 1-inch (typical)... 258
Fig. 12.10.—Flare, ground, i-hour red, Mark I 259
Fig. 12.11 (a) .—Candle, smoke, ground ... 260
Fig. 12.11 (b) .—Generator, smoke, No. 5, Mark I 260
Fig. 12.12.—Signal, vertical light ray ... 260