Bryan morning eagle. [volume] (Bryan, Tex.) 1898-1909, 1898-07-16
NEW DYNAMITE GUN.
Ths Latest Dsviss fsr Thrswing shsiis
Loaded with nigh Expiosivss

~ Aatrst bsffee tnr throwing thsiia
I-e@asd with nigh Explosives
The newest type Of dynamite gun
consists of two tubes placed directly
one above the other. whereas in the
old type there are three tubes placed
side BY sids in the zane horizontal
plane. The elimination OF the third
tube means a great saving in the
weight Of the gun and at the same time
Il Is claimed It's effectiveness Is In.
creased. II Is said that the gun can
be fired at least Eve times In two min
utea.
or the two tubes the upper Is several
feet the longer and Is smooth bore. II
receives the proieclile. and the mater
ial used In It's construction Is either
brass or steel. the latter being prefer
able Within the lower tube there IL
an inner tube In which the blank cart
ridge containing seven ounces Of
smokeless powder Is placed. The In
ner tube opens into the lower tube.
which In turn opens into the upper
tube through a port Immediately be-
hind the projecile. When the pro.
jectlle Is placed In the upper tube ard
the blank cartridge In the lower. the
breeches are closed and the gun ls
ready FOR firing The pulling OF the
lanyard explodes the smokeless pow
der. which congresses the air in the
tube. and this. passing into the upper
tube through the port. oxerts there a
pressure OF 5000 pounds TO the square
inch This pressure expols the pro-
iectlle. The air forms O cushion that
protects from shock the walls Of the
shell and. O Is claimed. obylaies the
danger which would follow from the
concusslon Of the powder were lt exc
ploded directly behind one proioe,lla.
The entire length OF the pf1iectle
used Is thIrty-four inches This In
cludes a tail nieco abort fen inches in
length and fitted with vuc Sc. at an
angle that lnsures slow rotation. The
body OF the she'll ls O brass cylinder
having a conlcll head containing a
fuse. The main body OF ihs shell con-
talns usually q charge Of explosive
gelatlne. although gunc0t,0n or any
other explosive may De- used The
ignition Is effected by means Of me-
chaRical fuse. and IL Is 20 arranged
thar the explosion can follow lmmed-
lately upon impact or may be delayed
for ns much as six seconds thereafter.
When the she'll strikes the water or
any other object. a small steel ball.
acting a. a hammer. Is driven forward
by the sudden retardatIon Of the flight
OF the shell and strikes one or more
percussion caps. causing a defamation.
This ignites a tube Of powder c0mmu.
nicating with the illuminate OF mer
curry, and 20 explodes successfully the
and the main explosive. The
fuse embodies a device which renders
the shell inactive until u has Travelled
at least 300 feet from the gun. This
device Is very ingenious. There Is
attached to the head Of the fuse a IT.
tie yane or windmill. which Is fastened
10 a threaded rod running back into
the head Of the fuse FAR enough to
press on the small steel ball mention.
ed, and hold II In place. As the pro-
jectile passes through the air the
blades reyolye. and. In revolving. I'M
screw the threaded rod. and thus re.
lease the small steel ball. which is now
ready to run forward and explode the
primers.
In connection with the firing OF the
gun there Is neither smoke nor noise.
Il cannot be heard at the distance of
mile. nor can any smoke be
seen. Thus Il would be nearly i'm
possible for sharpshooters or rapld-are
gunners to locate the gun.