Cordite

[cantona1]

Just something for anyone interested in ordnance, I found this un fired 30-06 round today along with a couple of buckle fragments,

DSC_0279.jpg

The spaghetti like strands are cordite, sometimes used instead of gunpowder, as it is not explosive but regarded as a slow-burning propellant I carried out a little experiment, and after 70 odd years in a wet Devon field it still works, Amazing

I think cordite caused less damage to the barrel of the weapon???

[Ten pence!]

That is a .303 round, it has a rimmed case, it's also not a good idea to ignite old propellant, whilst it may burn slow any confinement and that slow burn becomes very, very fast and those cords can move quick enough to bury themselves in fingertips, or worse..............

[Easylife]

.303 inch Ball Cordite Marks I to V

[cantona1]

Ten pence, you're right I've looked again and it is 303, it's safe enough though if you hold the cordite with a pair of pliers over a stainless steel tray
Very impressive to see it ignite though
Just amazed that it still works.

[sweepstick47]

Better safe than sorry so please do not attempt to replicate this 'experiment'! ss47

[cantona1]

Perfectly safe when done in a controlled manner

[alloverover]

Perfectly safe when done in a controlled manner

Excess charge bags from 105mm lots of fun

[cantona1]

Ooh, that would definitely be fun, "I love the smell of napalm in the morning"

[alloverover]

Ooh, that would definitely be fun, "I love the smell of napalm in the morning"

"Smells of victory, son, some day this wars gonna end"

[MilitaryMetalMagnut]

As said, not always best to replicate the experiment. Certainly not without regard of ones surroundings!

I like putting the cordite strands end to end, and light one end. Gives a marvellous 'Gun powder trail' effect, like in the cartoons! (All done in a serious and controlled manner, of course!).

This is a photograph I took recently, to show how vigorous Cordite burns. These strands were from a .303 cartridge in a similar condition to yours, dated 1941. This is an entire cartridge load going up, after 75+ years in the elements.
It went up PERFECTLY, with the flame column about 9 inches high. Just goes to show that this stuff is never ever 'deactivated by time'!





Regards,

Simon

[MilitaryMetalMagnut]

I think cordite caused less damage to the barrel of the weapon???

It was a much cleaner burn than the Nitrocellulose (gunpowder) of the time. I personally was able to fire some original cordite loaded 1945 dated .303, and some Nitrocellulose loaded 1941 dated rounds and compared the amount of fouling in the barrel between the two. There was much less muck in the barrel with the Cordite than with the Nitrocellulose. Just that the primers were corrosive, and the barrel needed to be cleaned ASAP otherwise the bore will rust.

Best regards,

Simon

[cantona1]

Brilliant idea MMM, I'm gonna try that, "in a safe and controlled manor" B-)

[Easylife]

Gee, and there was me tipping out the cordite thinking that it's all done after this time. So need to find another now for some special effects.

[Bootneck45RM]

---☠--sounds good cantona-see you down thr R.D&E - lol !!

[Johnnn]

As said, not always best to replicate the experiment. Certainly not without regard of ones surroundings!

I like putting the cordite strands end to end, and light one end. Gives a marvellous 'Gun powder trail' effect, like in the cartoons! (All done in a serious and controlled manner, of course!).

This is a photograph I took recently, to show how vigorous Cordite burns. These strands were from a .303 cartridge in a similar condition to yours, dated 1941. This is an entire cartridge load going up, after 75+ years in the elements.
It went up PERFECTLY, with the flame column about 9 inches high. Just goes to show that this stuff is never ever 'deactivated by time'!


Oh well there goes another coffee table..


Regards,

Simon