Abstract: A safety for a gun has a manually operable member and a catch. The gun has frame supporting a longitudinally reciprocatable bolt and a sear operable to engage and restrain the bolt. The manually operable member is mounted on the frame to reciprocate between the safe and the fire position. The catch, mounted on the member, is positioned to engage and restrain the bolt when the member is in the safe position.

Abstract: A primer device has a coupling device for efficiently dispersing the ignin products from a primary propellant into a main charge. The coupling device has a housing with a central chamber. This chamber has an inlet and outlet port. The housing and its inlet port are sealed over a cavity containing a primary propellant. A valve device is mounted at the inlet port for initially sealing combustion gasses from the primary propellant within the cavity. This initial interval during which the cavity is sealed, fosters thorough burning of the primary propellant. When combustion causes pressure sufficient to open the valve device, combustion products enter the central chamber of the housing. These combustion products bear upon a frangible seal, which is mounted at the outlet port of the housing. The frangible seal ruptures at a predetermined and repeatable pressure.

Abstract: Longitudinal stresses in the explosive grain of a rapidly accelerated high xplosive projectile are absorbed in longitudinal reinforcement members and are transferred therefrom to the casing of the projectile. Transmission of the acceleration load from the grain to the longitudinal reinforcement members may be by friction, adhesive bonding or by area mismatch. A stress decoupling layer in the aft end of the projectile may be employed for matrix stress decoupling.

Abstract: This invention relates to novel nitramine propellant compositions for guns nd rockets.

Abstract: The invention is an improved apparatus for the removal of sodium carbonate from cyanide plating baths. The method involves the precipitation of sodium carbonate by the effect of cooling the cyanide plating bath liquid. A container is submerged in the solution with the container opening extending above the plating bath solution level. The container is filled with dry ice and water which produces a temperature of approximately zero degrees centigrade inside of the container. The solution adjacent to the exterior of the container is cooled so that excess sodium carbonate is precipitated as a crystalline deposit. After a desired interval, the container is removed with the encrustation of sodium carbonate for disposal.

Abstract: Base separation of cast explosives in projectiles is prevented by means of resilient device, such as a spring washer, positioned between the bottom of the fuzewell cavity in the cast explosive and the bottom of the fuzewell liner threadedly secured to the projectile. By tightening the liner, the spring washer is compressed, causing it to apply a force upward on the liner and downward on the cast explosive toward the base of the projectile, thereby allowing the cast explosive to move in response to thermal changes while maintaining it in contact with the projectile base at all times.

Abstract: There is disclosed a process for the nitration of cellulose with nitric acid in the absence of sulfuric acid which comprises adding sufficient nitric oxide and oxygen or air to the nitration reaction mixture to react with the water formed in the reaction. This regenerates nitric acid which can be recycled to the reaction or removed and collected.

Abstract: A scrubber system for removal and recovery of mercury from plated solid substrates comprising a solution of an alkali metal and ammonium dichromate or chromate salts and nitric acid, said salts and acid being in a weight ratio of about 0.2 to 200. A process for removing mercury from cartridge casings and live ammunition utilizing the oxidative scrubber system is also disclosed.

Abstract: A shock-wave-reflecting surface and low density matter or gas within the ntal ogive of a shaped charge warhead ahead of the concave liner thereof modifies the speed and consequent distribution of particles in the stretching jet to improve armor penetration capability.

Abstract: An effective amount of 5-nitrobarbituric acid or its trihydrate, when mixed ith molten TNT explosive permits the TNT explosive to set with a fine unoriented crystal structure. In one embodiment, the 5-nitrobarbituric acid or its trihydrate is added to well-stirred liquid TNT at about 100.degree.-110.degree. C. and the mixture is allowed to cool until it stiffens and then is reheated slightly below 85.degree. C. and then cast at about 81.degree. C.

Abstract: The compensator is attached to the muzzle of a gun to control the motion reof during the firing of a burst, and thus modifying the dispersion pattern in a desired manner. The device includes an asymmetric channel forming an extension of approximately one half of the gun's barrel, mounted in such a way that exhausting propellant gases will rotate the device through and arc following the firing of each round of a burst.

Abstract: A mechanical device for initiating the firing of a large cannon, comprising cylindrical case with a generally cylindrical yoke slidably mounted therein with a generally cylindrical hammer in turn mounted in said yoke. A lever is held up against the aft end of the case by means of an internal spring. The device is cocked by moving the lever sidewise in any direction, or directly aft. During cocking the hammer and yoke are moved aft. Upon completion of the cocking movement, the hammer is automatically released and moves forward to strike the firing pin. Upon release of the lever, the yoke and other parts are automatically reset under the action of springs.

Abstract: An artillery shell is provided comprising two sections having complementary oupling members for connecting the sections together. The complementary coupling members include at least two locking assemblies which can be engaged to prevent relative axial movement of the coupled sections or disengaged to permit the disconnection of the sections. As a result, the sections can be connected and disconnected for different mission requirements and for inspection purposes.

Abstract: Manufactures, apparatus and processes for shielding the hazards of exploss, pyrotechnics and propellants during manufacture, demolition, demilitarization storage, transportation and use.

Abstract: Polymer bonded nitramine based explosives and propellants are prepared by diation polymerization of a polymer precurser, such as methyl methacrylate, in mixture with a particulate nitramine, e.g. RDX, wherein the nitramine particles are coated with an effective amount of a liquid polyhydric alcohol for overcoming the action of the nitramine to inhibit or retard such radiation polymerization.

Abstract: Mechanical interference between a cast explosive material and a casing prnts rotation of the cast explosive material during machining thereof and improves symmetry and performance of the shaped-charge warhead. The cast explosive material may be keyed to the casing by flowing portions of the explosive material into a plurality of cavities in the casing before curing. Alternatively, pins may extend inward from the casing into the explosive material which surrounds them when cast and resists relative motion therebetween when cured. Alternatively, the explosive material may be pre-cast into an appropriate shape, cured and pressed into the casing. Protuberances to fit into holes in the casing or indentations to fit over pins extending into the casing may be formed on the pre-cast explosive. Engagement between the protuberances or indentations and the holes or pins respectively is attained when the explosive material is pressed into the casing.

Abstract: Small arms projectile wherein lead core thereof has its front or nose portion replaced with a structurally integral low-density plastic filler material, the filler material shearing from the lead core to provide a double wound tract upon slight penetration of the projectile into a soft target.

Abstract: 1,5-Methylene-3,7-dinitro-1,3,5,7-tetraazacyclooctane (DPT) is prepared by eacting nitrourea with formaldehyde in aqueous solution in the presence of sufficient added water soluble base, such as sodium hydroxide, to initiate evolution of carbon dioxide gas and formation of an intermediate compound, and reacting the intermediate compound with aqueous ammonia and formaldehyde to form DPT.

Abstract: A method and apparatus are described for the determination of the mass and ocation of fragments from a warhead. The fragments are caught in a stack of soft panels placed in the line of fire. Each panel is then fed thru a reading device including an array of magnetometers and the data fed to a reduction computer.

Abstract: A primer device has a coupling device for efficiently dispersing the ignin products from a primary propellant into a main charge. The coupling device has a housing with a central chamber. This chamber has an inlet and outlet port. The housing and its inlet port are sealed over a cavity containing a primary propellant. A valve device is mounted at the inlet port for initially sealing combustion gasses from the primary propellant within the cavity. This initial interval during which the cavity is sealed, fosters thorough burning of the primary propellant. When combustion causes pressure sufficient to open the valve device, combustion products enter the central chamber of the housing. These combustion products bear upon a frangible seal, which is mounted at the outlet port of the housing. The frangible seal ruptures at a predetermined and repeatable pressure.