Abstract: An ammunition powder measuring and dispensing apparatus in which a charging chamber rotates and translates in a helical course within a housing between inlet and outlet ports. The powder is gravity loaded and discharged from the chamber from a hopper above the inlet port and to a cartridge or shell below the outlet port. A micrometer-operated disc in the chamber adjusts the amount of the charge. The disc is concave to reduce crevices where powder can build up, and the chamber is tapered to small opening to improve cut-off leveling of powder at the inlet port.

Abstract: The present invention provides a modification or replacement for shot and powder loading systems having wad jammer tubes with telescopic loading funnels wherein the wad jammer tube is swaged for insertion into smaller shotgun shells creating a shoulder on which shot or powder may jam. The improvement of the invention comprises matching liner tubes having scarfed upper extremities in combination with scarf necked funnels telescopically inserted within the wad jammer tube thereby eliminating all diametric restrictions to prevent shot and powder jamming.

Abstract: A method of and apparatus for casting uncured solid propellant in solid propellant rocket motors includes a casting bayonet having annular slits formed in the exit end thereof that improve the fluidity and self-leveling behavior of the uncured propellant. Both of these effects eliminate or reduce the trapping of air in the cast propellant, thus providing a better product.

Abstract: A method and inhibitor are provided for substantially diminishing the deleterious effects of a bomb blast such as is commonplace with terrorist activities. A generally flexible container filled with a liquid, generally water, is shaped and adapted to substantially cover a bomb to obscure substantially all open spaces from the bomb. The water serves to absorb a large proportion of the energy of the bomb blast and therefore reduces the most dangerous effects of bombs namely that of secondary shrapnel which generally does the most damage and the container and water prevent, to a substantial extent, any primary shrapnel or other debris from being blown out with substantial force. The invention also provides special containers of various different designs as well as a method of manufacturing such containers which are preferably of a resilient nature.

Abstract: The invention relates to the field of combustible ammunition and relates chiefly to the manufacture of bottoms or covers for combustible cases.According to the invention, a combustible article is manufactured by pressing in a die 10 at least one sheet 21 of combustible paper containing nitrocellulose and having the shape of a disc, by virtue of a rigid movable punch 20 exerting a compressive force on a deformable flexible punch 22 arranged inside the said die 10 between the sheets 21 and the said movable punch 20. The flexible punch 22 is in the shape of a substantially cylindrical thick disc, consists of neoprene or a silicone resin and has a hardness of between 55 and 65 Shore at 20.degree. C. The pressing operation is accompanied by a thermoforming operation carried out at approximately 115.degree. C.The process is particularly suitable for the production of bottoms of combustible cases bearing studs or grooves on their side faces.

Abstract: A firearm, black powder cartridge for a projectile, including a formed casing of a major quantity of an alkaline nitrate with minor amount of a fibrous, essentially pure cellulose forming a consumable, inflammable case, for containing propelling black powder and holding a projectile. The projectile may be lightly coated with a solid, dry lubricant which is useful for muzzle loading weapons and breech loading weapons. The cartridge produces a minimal of residue which is essentially non-corrosive.

Abstract: A method and device (A) for cutting a shotgun shell (14) for shooting in a shotgun chambered for shorter shotgun shells includes a base (10) and shell receiving tube (12). A shell (14) is held in tube (12) above a knife (32) in such a manner that a circumferential slit is formed in shell casing (20) around the inside edge (24) of crimp (22). The knife is carried on a movable knife blade holder (40) which moves toward base (10) to engage the knife in the crimped edge as the shell is rotated. Upon shooting of shell (14), the crimp material separates from casing (20) leaving the shell of a shorter length. In this manner a two and one half inch (21/2") shell is obtained from a two and three-quarter inch (23/4") and three inch (3") shells which may be reloaded or disposed of.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing a sabot projectile is disclosed in which the projectile core is used as the core pin of a mold and a sabot is molded directly onto and in alignment with the projectile core and the core nose is held by a special alignment ring.

Abstract: A primer pocket swaging device for use in cartridge reloading equipment, which is characterized by a cylindrically-shaped collet cover having a hollow, threaded interior for receiving a threaded nipple to enclose an expandable collet. The collet includes four shaped collet segments fitted together in expandable relationship by means of an O-ring and one end of a punch rod projects through the collet and the opposite end seats on the plunger of the reloading equipment by operation of a rod lock nut and an adaptor. The upper end of the collet cover is bevelled and fitted with an opening to receive the base end of an empty shell casing, wherein the base of the shell casing is inserted in the opening and is momentarily seated and held in the collet, while the punch rod extends upwardly and swages the empty primer pocket in the casing base responsive to operation of the reloading apparatus.

Abstract: Process for the manufacture of combustible articles by embossing combustible paper and combustible articles thus produced.The invention relates to a process for the manufacture of combustible dish-shaped articles of revolution with circular external outlines from combustible paper containing nitrocellulose by embossing at least one combustible paper disc 11 comprising a central part 12 and a peripheral part consisting of a plurality of portions 13 separated from each other by radial slits 14 the length "L" of which is smaller than the radius "R" of the said disc 11 and the width "e" in which is at least equal to the minimum width required to prevent the overlapping of the said portions 13 when the disc 11 is deformed by embossing.The invention also relates to combustible dish-shaped articles of revolution with circular external out-lines, consisting of at least one sheet of combustible paper containing nitrocellulose and in particular those produced by the process according to the invention.

Abstract: A ring (9) serves to support a case (1) during pressing of a charge (4) of a warhead. On the side, ring (9) is arranged around the case (1), against which a pressing force is exerted. The inside diameter (d) of ring (9) is smaller than the outside diameter (D) of the case at permanent deformation of the case during pressing without ring (9).

Abstract: A method of bonding propellant to the insulation in a motor chamber by use f an adhesive and powder granule layer.

Abstract: The invention provides a method of priming a blank or bulleted rimfire cartridge comprising the steps of (a) dosing into the rimfire case a quantity of a substantially dry, powdery, relatively insensitive premix comprising, in predetermined proportions, at least two materials that will, in the presence of a liquid reaction medium, react together forming a primary explosive compound, (b) compacting the premix so as substantially to fill the rim of the case therewith, (c) dosing a quantity of the liquid reaction medium into the case so as to cause said materials to react together forming the primary explosive compound and (d) drying the primer. By compacting the premix into the rim before the addition of the liquid reaction medium, the conventional spinning step may be dispensed with, thereby making the priming process safer and more economic.

Abstract: A combination ammunition re-loading die having an elongated housing. The housing is externally threaded at both ends to enable entry of either end into the die holder of a reloading press. An expander post is integrally formed at one end of the housing. The other end is provided with a cartridge receiving end opening. A threaded opening in the post receives a threaded shaft projected through to the cartridge receiving end opening. The projected end of the shaft carries a re-loading member, e.g. a bullet seating plug or de-priming pin. The shaft is adjustable within the post opening to adjust the position of the member. The housing can be inserted in the die holder to first present the expander post to the cartridge, and then inverted to present the bullet seating plug or de-priming pin.

Abstract: The present invention is an improved waterproof quick match and apparatus and method of making same in which the loose fitting central core (fuse) covering is made of a plastic coated paper and heat sealed at the seams in a waterproof relationship.

Abstract: Test equipment which permits smoke or tear gas grenades to be detonated iors within an expansion chamber portion of the test equipment. The smoke or gas is then channelled through an opacity monitor which is capable of accurately measuring the volume of smoke or gas produced by the grenade. A borescoping system in the expansion chamber permits operating personnel to accurately check the duration of the smoke or gas emmission using external timing devices. After testing the smoke or gas is ducted through a high efficiency filtering system so that when exhausted into the atmosphere it is at a contamination level acceptable to federal and local air quality standards.