The sun. (Wilmington, Del.) 1897-19??, 1898-05-01
NEW DYNAMITE GUN.
The latest Devices for THROWN
Shells Loaded With High
Explosives.

The newest type OF dynamite gun con-
ss,s OF two tubes placed directly one
above the other, whereas in the old type
there are three tuues placed side by SIDE
in the same horizontal plane.
The elimination OF the third tube
means great saving in the weight OF
the guns and at the same time it is
claimed it, effectiveness Is increased. 1t
is said that the gun can be fired at least
five times III two minutes.
OF the two tubes the upper is sevela!
feet the longer and is smooth bore. 1T
receives the urojectle, and the material
used in its construction is either brass u
steel the latter being preferable.
Within the lower tube there Is an
inner tube in which the blank cartridge
containing seven ounces Of smoselcss
powder is placed. The inner tube opens
into the lower tube, which i'll turn opens
into the upper tube through a port I'M
mediately behind the projectie.
When the projectlle is placed i'll the
upper tube and the blank cartridge in
the lower, the breeches are closed and
the gun is ready for firing. The pulling
OF the lanyard explodcs the slnoKelcss
powder, which congresses the air in the
tube, and this, passing into the upper
tube through the port, exerts there Il
pressure OF 5000 pounds to the square
inch. This pressure expels the pro-
ject!e.
The air forms cushion that protects
from shock the walls ot lhe shell, and,
1t Is claimed, Obviates the danger which
would follow from the cuncusslvn OF the
powder were it eXploded directly behind
the projcctile.
Tie entire length of the Drojcctilc used
is thllly-iour Inches. This includes Il
tail piece about ten i.ches in length
and ntteu WITH Il valle set ut All angle
that llsules slow rotation. The body OF
the sieII IL II brass cylinder having Il
conical head contaninga fuse.
The main body Of the shell contains
usually Il charge Of explosive gelatine,
although guncotton Or ANY other eXplO-
slve may De used. The ignition is effected
by means Of mechanical fuse, and it is
81 arranged that the explosion can fol-
low Immediately upon impact or may be
delayed for Us much as six seconds
thereafter.
When the shell strikes the water or
any other object, Il small steel bull, act.
ing as d hammer, Is driven forward by
the sudden lptardaton of the flight OF
the shell and strikes one or more per-
cllssion caps, causing detonation.
This ignites a tube Of powder com.
munlcatlng with the illuminate Of mer-
curry. and SO eXplodes successfully the
guncotton and the main explosive. The
iuse elnbodies device which renders
the shell inactive until it has Travelled at
least 300 feet from the gun:
This device is very ingenious. There
is attached to the head OF the fuse II
little vane or windmill, which is fastened
to threaded rod running back into the
lead Of the fuse far enough to press on
the small steel bali mentioned, and hold
it in place.
As the projectiIe passes through the
air the blades reNolve, and, in revolving
unscrew the threaded rod, ard thus re-
lease the small steel ball, which is now
ready to run forward and explode the
primers
In connection with the hrna of the
gun there is neither smoke nor noise 1t
cannot b. heard at the distance OF one
half mile, nor can any smoke be seen.
Thus it would be neary impossible for
sharpsllooters or rapid fire gunners to
locate the gun.