ohland
06-27-2015, 09:47 AM
History of Small-Arms Ammunition
http://books.googleusercontent.com/books/content?req=AKW5QafDUpRGHiLU4SBbzDi6Q9UQ8yjbAFUY7E uunEiAtnI37RUJ3cOGd9gmjV9P280w2u6qPNLcxTYH2NlBLlG_ GDdy2NlwmZOXFZQIPr-4OHLI5R0hgooS_jQPD6Vp56h2tBXWLL0nvqDoctYOTIPabVioJ r2RHulO-c7uipKu6Z_N3mHSlN9d1g-U9Mbuz03_2EBdP15kgmZqXeIXntTUZPqlBW2w-HbkHU-1_j7bKCjML4ufdDebnuT5RTmFfnAhzD9Nnqa1dBsrC6xGe2hrC VeieuE_RQ
11-MILLIMETER TRACER INCENDIARY AMMUNITION.
143604
During 1917 it was learned that the French were using ammunition of this caliber as part of their aircraft armament, inasmuch as it could be used more effectively against dirigibles and kite balloons than the tracer incendiary ammunitions of smaller caliber; and in December the United States Army Ordnance Department decided to develop a similar cartridge. The Colt's Patent Fire Arms Co. had on hand at that time 1,000 Vickers guns, 7.62 mm. originally manufactured for the Russian Government, and it was decided to convert these to accommodate the 11 mm. At the same time development of this ammunition was undertaken by Frankford Arsenal, in addition to 11mm. armor-piercing and spot-light ammunition. These last two types, however, never progressed very far, as they were considered of secondary importance; and on March 26, 1918, work on the armorpiercing was stopped, as it was found that the muzzle velocity of 2,000 foot-seconds could not have good penetrative qualities. An initial allotment of $25,000 was made to cover this experimental work.
The Western Cartridge Co. had already manufactured ammunition of this type for the French Government, and was thus equipped with tools and gauges for its manufacture. But it was necessary to develop a new loading powder, as that formerly used by this concern was of the quick-burning type with a correspondingly high initial pressure which produced the desired muzzle velocity, but failed to operate successfully in the machine guns, as it was incapable of sustaining this pressure for any considerable length of time.
It was the du Pont Co. that finally developed a satisfactory powder for this cartridge, known as the M. R. No. 34. The mixture consists of—
Barium nitrate, 49.2 per cent (98 per cent pure, 100-120 meah).
Barium peroxide, 22.5 per cent (90 per cent pure, 120 mesh).
Magnesium powder, 23.3 per cent (98 per cent pure, 120 mesh).
Cariiaba wax, 5 per cent (grade No. 2).
Twenty-five grains of this mixture, known as W4, are compressed into the bullet with a dead load of 2,000 pounds, after which from 15 to 18 grains of the same mixture with 3 grains of British igniter mixture, composed of 17 parts barium peroxide (90 per cent pure, 120 mesh) and 2 parts magnesium (98 per cent pure, 120 mesh), on top of it are compressed into the bullet with a dead-weight of 1,500 pounds, or a compound of 95 per cent British igniting mixture combined with 5 per cent of red lead may be used.
This composition is contained in a round-nosed bullet of brass hollowed out for it, and is of such bulk that the bullet not only traces but has excellent incendiary properties. The muzzle velocity of the bullet is approximately 2,000 feet per second and the maximum attainable trace is approximately 1,850 yards; the maximum powder pressure must not exceed 30,000 pounds per square inch. The case is of brass and has a flanged edge for extraction.
On February 1, 1918, two French 11-mm. machine guns, k Vickers, and a Hotchkiss, were brought to the United States along with 1,000 rounds of the French 11-mm. ammunition for testing and experimental work.
On March 20, 1918, an official order was placed with the Frankford Arsenal for 100,000 of these cartridges. The Western Cartridge Co. was to manufacture the cases, prime them with Frankford Arsenal primers, and load them with du Pont No 34 powder and a bullet produced by the Chelton Electric Co., with whom an order had been placed for 100,000 turned brass bullets to be loaded with the tracing mixture developed by the Frankford Arsenal. Later, however, Frankford Arsenal developed a .45-caliber loading machine suited to the 11 mm. and the loading was transferred to this arsenal from the Western plant.
These experimental 100,000 proved so satisfactory that, in July, tentative specifications were prepared by Frankford Arsenal and issued by the Engineering Division on August 10, 1918. Not until the earty part of October, however, did the Western Cartridge Co. receive its order for 59,000,000 rounds, so that production of these never reached any considerable quantity before the armistice, at which time action was held up. An order for 1,507,000 was placed, however, on which work was to continue, the cases to be from Western, the bullets from the National Fireworks & American Metal Co., and the loading to be done at Frankford Arsenal.
The experiments on 11-mm. service ammunition were also well underway just prior to the armistice, though these had received a check in the loss of 50,000 cartridges in transportation from du Pont's to Western for loading.
The requirements for 11-mm. ammunition were given by the A. E. F., as follows:
P 1003-2 A. April 26, 1918. 2,000 rounds of 11-mm. incendiary ammunition per month should be furnished for every 11-mm. machine gun shipped from the United States.
P 1350-1 C. June 21, 1918. This cable gives requirements of air service for 11mm. guns by months, totaling 1,201 through December, 1918.
Harbord, S 25-1 B. August 21, 1918. Ship during September 500,000 rounds 11mm. ammunition.
Williams X 54-1 F. September 5, 1918. No. 11-mm. now ordered. About to close negotiations for 59,000,000 production on which should start October 15.
P 1725-1. September 26, 1918. Our monthly requirements are: September, 2,460,000; October, 583,000; November, 2,057;000; December, 1,338,000.
X 190-9. October 17, 1918. Manufacturer is about to start production on contract for 59,000,000 11-mm. incendiary tracer ammunition. Expected completion—200,000, November; 500,003, December; 1,000,000, January.
http://books.googleusercontent.com/books/content?req=AKW5QafDUpRGHiLU4SBbzDi6Q9UQ8yjbAFUY7E uunEiAtnI37RUJ3cOGd9gmjV9P280w2u6qPNLcxTYH2NlBLlG_ GDdy2NlwmZOXFZQIPr-4OHLI5R0hgooS_jQPD6Vp56h2tBXWLL0nvqDoctYOTIPabVioJ r2RHulO-c7uipKu6Z_N3mHSlN9d1g-U9Mbuz03_2EBdP15kgmZqXeIXntTUZPqlBW2w-HbkHU-1_j7bKCjML4ufdDebnuT5RTmFfnAhzD9Nnqa1dBsrC6xGe2hrC VeieuE_RQ
11-MILLIMETER TRACER INCENDIARY AMMUNITION.
143604
During 1917 it was learned that the French were using ammunition of this caliber as part of their aircraft armament, inasmuch as it could be used more effectively against dirigibles and kite balloons than the tracer incendiary ammunitions of smaller caliber; and in December the United States Army Ordnance Department decided to develop a similar cartridge. The Colt's Patent Fire Arms Co. had on hand at that time 1,000 Vickers guns, 7.62 mm. originally manufactured for the Russian Government, and it was decided to convert these to accommodate the 11 mm. At the same time development of this ammunition was undertaken by Frankford Arsenal, in addition to 11mm. armor-piercing and spot-light ammunition. These last two types, however, never progressed very far, as they were considered of secondary importance; and on March 26, 1918, work on the armorpiercing was stopped, as it was found that the muzzle velocity of 2,000 foot-seconds could not have good penetrative qualities. An initial allotment of $25,000 was made to cover this experimental work.
The Western Cartridge Co. had already manufactured ammunition of this type for the French Government, and was thus equipped with tools and gauges for its manufacture. But it was necessary to develop a new loading powder, as that formerly used by this concern was of the quick-burning type with a correspondingly high initial pressure which produced the desired muzzle velocity, but failed to operate successfully in the machine guns, as it was incapable of sustaining this pressure for any considerable length of time.
It was the du Pont Co. that finally developed a satisfactory powder for this cartridge, known as the M. R. No. 34. The mixture consists of—
Barium nitrate, 49.2 per cent (98 per cent pure, 100-120 meah).
Barium peroxide, 22.5 per cent (90 per cent pure, 120 mesh).
Magnesium powder, 23.3 per cent (98 per cent pure, 120 mesh).
Cariiaba wax, 5 per cent (grade No. 2).
Twenty-five grains of this mixture, known as W4, are compressed into the bullet with a dead load of 2,000 pounds, after which from 15 to 18 grains of the same mixture with 3 grains of British igniter mixture, composed of 17 parts barium peroxide (90 per cent pure, 120 mesh) and 2 parts magnesium (98 per cent pure, 120 mesh), on top of it are compressed into the bullet with a dead-weight of 1,500 pounds, or a compound of 95 per cent British igniting mixture combined with 5 per cent of red lead may be used.
This composition is contained in a round-nosed bullet of brass hollowed out for it, and is of such bulk that the bullet not only traces but has excellent incendiary properties. The muzzle velocity of the bullet is approximately 2,000 feet per second and the maximum attainable trace is approximately 1,850 yards; the maximum powder pressure must not exceed 30,000 pounds per square inch. The case is of brass and has a flanged edge for extraction.
On February 1, 1918, two French 11-mm. machine guns, k Vickers, and a Hotchkiss, were brought to the United States along with 1,000 rounds of the French 11-mm. ammunition for testing and experimental work.
On March 20, 1918, an official order was placed with the Frankford Arsenal for 100,000 of these cartridges. The Western Cartridge Co. was to manufacture the cases, prime them with Frankford Arsenal primers, and load them with du Pont No 34 powder and a bullet produced by the Chelton Electric Co., with whom an order had been placed for 100,000 turned brass bullets to be loaded with the tracing mixture developed by the Frankford Arsenal. Later, however, Frankford Arsenal developed a .45-caliber loading machine suited to the 11 mm. and the loading was transferred to this arsenal from the Western plant.
These experimental 100,000 proved so satisfactory that, in July, tentative specifications were prepared by Frankford Arsenal and issued by the Engineering Division on August 10, 1918. Not until the earty part of October, however, did the Western Cartridge Co. receive its order for 59,000,000 rounds, so that production of these never reached any considerable quantity before the armistice, at which time action was held up. An order for 1,507,000 was placed, however, on which work was to continue, the cases to be from Western, the bullets from the National Fireworks & American Metal Co., and the loading to be done at Frankford Arsenal.
The experiments on 11-mm. service ammunition were also well underway just prior to the armistice, though these had received a check in the loss of 50,000 cartridges in transportation from du Pont's to Western for loading.
The requirements for 11-mm. ammunition were given by the A. E. F., as follows:
P 1003-2 A. April 26, 1918. 2,000 rounds of 11-mm. incendiary ammunition per month should be furnished for every 11-mm. machine gun shipped from the United States.
P 1350-1 C. June 21, 1918. This cable gives requirements of air service for 11mm. guns by months, totaling 1,201 through December, 1918.
Harbord, S 25-1 B. August 21, 1918. Ship during September 500,000 rounds 11mm. ammunition.
Williams X 54-1 F. September 5, 1918. No. 11-mm. now ordered. About to close negotiations for 59,000,000 production on which should start October 15.
P 1725-1. September 26, 1918. Our monthly requirements are: September, 2,460,000; October, 583,000; November, 2,057;000; December, 1,338,000.
X 190-9. October 17, 1918. Manufacturer is about to start production on contract for 59,000,000 11-mm. incendiary tracer ammunition. Expected completion—200,000, November; 500,003, December; 1,000,000, January.