Tazewell Republican. [volume] (Tazewell, Va.) 1892-1919, 1898-05-12
new DYHAMltE GUNS.
The Latest Devices For Throwing Shells
Loaded With High Explosives.


The newest type Of dynamite gun con-
sists of two tubes placed directly one above
the other, whereas in the old type there
are three tubes placed side by side in the
same horizontal plane The elimination
of the third tube means great saving in
the weight of the gun and at the same
time it is claimed its effectiveness is in
creased 1t is said that the gun can be
fred at least five times in two minutes.
Of the two tubes the upper is several
feet the longer and is smooth bore. 1t re-
ceives the projectile, and the material used
in its construction is either brass or steel,
the latter being preferable. Within the
lower tube there is an inner tube in which
the blank cartridge containing several
ounces of smokeless powder is placed. The
inner tube opens into the lower tube, which
in turn opens into the upper tube through
a port Immediately behind the projectile.
When the projectiIe is placed in the upper
UuD6 anu luc DldLlh Ctti luSS III WV iO"N';
the breeches are closed and the gun Is
ready for firing. The pulling of the Ian
yard explodes the smokeless powder,
which congresses the air in the tube, and
this, passing into the upper tube through
the port, eXerts there a pressure OF 5000
pounds to the square inch. This pressure
expels the pl oiectiIe. The air forms Il
cushion that protects from shock the walls
of the shell, and, it is claimed, obviates the
danger which would follow from the con
cussion of the powder were it exploded di-
rectly behind the projectiles.
The entire length of the proiectile used
is thirty-four inches. This includes tail
piece about ten inches in length and fitted
with vane. set at an angle that insures
slow rotation. The body of the shell is
brass cylinder having a conical head con-
tanning a fuse. The main body ofthe shell
contains usually charge ofexplosive gela-
tine although gun cotton or any other ex-
plosive may be used. The ignition is eff
fected by means of mechanical fuse, and
it is so arranged that the explosion can
follow Immediately upon impact or may
be delayed for as much as six seconds
thereafter. When the shell strikes the
water or any other object, small steel
ball, acting as a hammer, is driven for
ward by the sudden retardation OF the
flight of the shell and strikes one or more
percussion caps, cau.ing defamation.
This gnites tube Of powder communi-
eating with the illuminate Of mercury, and
so explodes successfully the gun Gotten
and the main explosive. The fuse embo-
dies device which renders the shell mac
tive until it has travelled at least three
hundred feet from the gun. This device
is very Ingenious. There is attached to
the head of the fuse little vane or wind
mill, which is fastened to threaded rod
running back into the head of the fuse Far
enough to press on the small steel bali
mentioned, and hold it in place. As the
proiectile passes through the air the blades
revolye, and in revolving unscrew the
threaded rod, and thus release the small
steel ball, which is now ready to run for
ward and explode the primers.
In connection with the firing Of the gun
there is neither smoke nor noise. 1t CAN
not be heard at the distance of one half
mile, nor can any smoke be seen. Thus it
would be nearly impossible for sharp
shooters or rapd-fre gunners to locate the
gun.--New York Sun.