Abstract: A projectile propulsion system comprises a housing defining a chamber, a propulsive charge including a propulsive charge material loadable into the chamber, a projectile loadable into the chamber proximate to the propulsive charge material, an electric pulse discharge subsystem that provides an electric pulse having a specified pulse amperage for a specified pulse period, a current delivery subsystem electrically connecting the electric pulse discharge subsystem to the chamber to deliver the electric pulse to the propulsive charge material, wherein the specified pulse amperage and the specified pulse period are sufficient to cause at least a portion of the propulsive charge material to generate a propulsive force that is at least partially directed onto the projectile to drive the projectile out of the chamber, and a barrel in fluid communication with the chamber configured to receive the projectile as it is driven from the chamber.

Abstract: An underwater firearm is disclosed. The underwater firearm includes a barrel for receiving an ammunition on a first end and a barrel cap for covering a second end of the barrel. The underwater firearm also includes a capsule having a firing pin and contains a reactive material. The reactive material can be ignited by an electrical ignitor in order to propel the firing pin to strike the ammunition. A housing is utilized to contain the capsule and the electrical ignitor.

Abstract: A primer feed mechanism mounted on a carrier of an artillery piece includes a body assembly for mounting the primer feed mechanism on the carrier, the body assembly having guide rails and a follower plate; a tray assembly that is movable on the guide rails of the body assembly, the tray assembly including a housing and an injector arm assembly; an actuator drive link connected to the carrier; a quick release link connected to the actuator drive link; and a drive link assembly connected to the quick release link and to the injector arm assembly; wherein one end of the injector arm assembly includes a push pin that reciprocates in the housing to inject a primer and another end of the injector arm assembly includes a follower that travels in the follower plate of the body assembly.

Abstract: The invention relates to a support member (6) for supporting a mortar shell (1) into a breech-loading weapon barrel. The support member (6) comprises a support element (8) with an edge flange (7) and a firing mechanism for firing the actual primer of the mortar shell (1) and further comprising connecting means (10) for attaching the support element (8) to a tail (4) of the mortar shell (1). The connecting means (10) for attaching the support element (8) to the tail (4) of the mortar shell (1) comprise at least one flexible part (13, 20, 30) arranged to be attached to the tail (4) of the mortar shell (1) by means of spring force.

Abstract: A primer feed mechanism mounted on a carrier of an artillery piece includes a body assembly for mounting the primer feed mechanism on the carrier, the body assembly having guide rails and a follower plate; a tray assembly that is movable on the guide rails of the body assembly, the tray assembly including a housing and an injector arm assembly; an actuator drive link connected to the carrier; a quick release link connected to the actuator drive link; and a drive link assembly connected to the quick release link and to the injector arm assembly; wherein one end of the injector arm assembly includes a push pin that reciprocates in the housing to inject a primer and another end of the injector arm assembly includes a follower that travels in the follower plate of the body assembly.

Abstract: An electromagnetic launch system including an electrothermal launcher, an inductive power supply (IPS), including a DC source (Vb) and a storage inductor (L), and an opening switch (OS), wherein at least a portion of at least one of the IPS and the OS is integrated in a projectile.

Abstract: A primer loader assembly (10) comprises a loading and feeding assembly (26) for receiving an elongate magazine (28) containing primers (24); an advancement member (30) for advancing the magazine (28) along its longitudinal axis, through the primer loader assembly (10) to bring a primer (24) in register with the said primer chamber (22); and a push rod (32) for loading the primer (24) into the primer chamber (22) by moving the primer (24) from the magazine (28) into the chamber (22). The magazine (28) defines a plurality of individual separate tubular openings (28.1) for containing the primers (24) separate from each other. The magazine (28) further defines a plurality of curved guide slots (28.5), for engaging the advancement member (30) and to advance the magazine (28) step-wise along its longitudinal axis.

Abstract: A safety latch assembly locks a firing tray mechanism and prevents it from firing a primer prematurely if a breech is not safely closed. The safety latch assembly includes a latch body, a latch hook for locking a firing mechanism tray, and a shaft that connects the latch body to a housing. A torsion spring is secured to the shaft, to bias a first pin towards the firing mechanism tray. A second pin couples a circular rack to the firing mechanism tray.

Abstract: An out-of-battery lock for a primer feed mechanism having a drive shaft and a drive shaft housing surrounding the drive shaft, the out-of-battery lock including a housing having an opening therethrough for attachment to the drive shaft; a pair of wings disposed on opposite sides of the housing; a plunger slot formed in the housing; a plunger movably disposed in the plunger slot, the plunger including a central bore therein and a pair of tabs disposed on opposite sides of the plunger; and a compression spring disposed in the central bore in the plunger, the compression spring providing a force to bias the plunger towards the drive shaft housing.

Abstract: A primer feed mechanism mounted on a carrier of an artillery piece includes a body assembly for mounting the primer feed mechanism on the carrier, the body assembly having guide rails and a follower plate; a tray assembly that is movable on the guide rails of the body assembly, the tray assembly including a housing and an injector arm assembly; an actuator drive link connected to the carrier; a quick release link connected to the actuator drive link; and a drive link assembly connected to the quick release link and to the injector arm assembly; wherein one end of the injector arm assembly includes a push pin that reciprocates in the housing to inject a primer and another end of the injector arm assembly includes a follower that travels in the follower plate of the body assembly.

Abstract: An automatic primer feed mechanism for use with a carrier assembly of a large caliber artillery piece, which includes mechanical assemblies for automatic primer loading after full breech closure and allows for spent primer cartridges to be extracted before opening of the breech to maximize safety, thereby allowing the gun crew to perform artillery piece misfire, sticker and check fire operations before the breech is opened. The mechanism includes a body member that mounts the automatic feed mechanism to the carrier of the artillery piece so as to interface with the carrier to position the mechanism on one side of the breech of the artillery piece. The body member includes a cam surface member, which provides a path for movement of an injection arm member. The tray member has guide rails for engagement with the body, which slides in relation thereto. A magazine containing a plurality of primer cartridges, which inserts in a receiver channel located in the tray member.

Abstract: A breech plug having a body with first and second ends and a compression chamber extending therethrough, a primer holder mounted to the first end of the body having a central aperture aligned with the compression chamber with slots extending radially from the central aperture and terminating in an annular groove, and a retaining spring secured to the annular groove.

Abstract: An improved muzzleloading firearm having a novel safety system. The safety system utilizes a spool coupled to a compression spring to maintain an ignition system such as a primer out of potential contact with a firing pin, even in the event of unintentional actuation of a hammer or sear. The safety system is automatic in operation, automatically placing the ignition system within reach of the firing pin when the firearm is placed into battery.

Abstract: A cartridge for firearms includes a bullet connected to a casing. The casing includes a cylindrical wall that extends to an end member opposite the bullet, a hollow interior formed by the wall and the end member, means for receiving a priming composition, and means for compressing the priming composition with a firing pin engaging the end member. Propellant is placed in the hollow interior and ignited by the compressed priming composition.

Abstract: A replacement cylinder that enables the use of modern smokeless gunpowder in a black powder muzzle-loading revolver is provided. The cylinder includes a main cylinder body and a removable cylinder cap. The main cylinder body includes a number of chambers, each of which having a projectile portion, a propellant portion and a primer portion. The cylinder cap includes a number of captured firing pins positioned therein. During operation, the cylinder cap is allowed to axially translate relative to the main cylinder body. A method of muzzle-loading the cylinder of the invention using modern smokeless gunpowder and a primer is also provided and is facilitated by the provision of a loading plate.

Abstract: A transport container with a removable cover which is repeatedly removable and refastenable to the transport container. The transport container is sized to accommodate a plurality of individual premeasured charges of gunpowder. Each of the plurality of individual premeasured charges of gunpowder comprises a tube which is open at least one end thereof and the at least one open end of the tube is sealed with a removable cap once a suitable quantity of the loose granular charge of gunpowder is loaded therein. Each individual premeasured charge of gunpowder is loaded with gunpowder which has a relatively low moisture content to facilitate reliable and substantially complete ignition of all of the gunpowder ignition, upon detonation of a firearm.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for loading and ejecting ignition devices into a muzzle-loading firearm. A magazine contains a plurality of ignition devices, which are sequentially loaded from the magazine onto the breech plug of the firearm by a sliding bolt or other loading assembly. After firing, the loading assembly is actuated to extract and eject the spent ignition device and load a new ignition device onto the breech plug.

Abstract: This invention provides a handgun assembly such as a rifle (9) which has a barrel assembly (24) including a cluster of barrels each supporting a longitudinal arrangement of aerodynamically shaped, directional projectiles (15) and interposed propellant charges (16) whereby the barrel assembly has longitudinal arrays or layers or projectiles and interposed propellant charges. Ignition means is provided for selectively igniting the propellant charges (16) including for simultaneously igniting the propellant charges in the leading layer of projectiles to provide a shotgun-like blast.

Abstract: A system for sealing an indexing primer magazine and breech assembly of a barrel-type firearm to contain exhaust gases with the flow passage transfers the increased pressure into a sealing force between the insert and indexing primer magazine. Additionally, component parts of the seal are located out of the direct path of the formed exhaust gases to increase system longevity and safety. A seal is located within a recess of either the insert or indexing primer magazine, that is separated from the flow passage for the hot combustion gases from the primer or propellant charge.

Abstract: A muzzle loader firearm having a primer cavity that is sized to have an interference fit with a desired primer, to be received therein, so that an outwardly facing surface of the exterior casing of the primer, upon being discharged, expands and forms a fluid tight seal with an interior surface of the primer cavity to prevent the escape of any significant gases therebetween. The firearm is provided with a small head space which only allows minor rearward movement of the primer, upon being discharged within the primer cavity, to maintain an adequate fluid tight seal, formed between the outwardly facing surface of the primer casing with the inwardly facing surface of the primer cavity. To facilitate an increased temperature of the primer charge, upon being discharged, the primer cavity communicates with the ignition bore via an oxygen recess that is sized to accommodate a desired quantity of oxygen to facilitate a more rapid and hotter burning of the primer charge.

Abstract: An improved detonator assembly for a black powder firearm having a breech block, a receiver, and a nipple. The detonator assembly comprises a primer and a primer carrier. The primer carrier has an axial bore dimensioned to receive the primer at one end and slip over the firearm nipple at the opposite end. The primer carrier has a lip that abuts the breech block rear end. A tab laterally extends from the lip to provide a handle for installing and removing the assembly and a visual indication that the firearm is primed.