Evening journal., 1898-07-02
NEW DYNAMITE GUN.
rheLatestDevice for Throwing shells
Loaded with High Explosives
and It's Operation.


The newest type of dynamiteguncon-
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 a
great saving in the weight of the gun
and at the same time It Is claimed its
effectiveness Is increased. It is said
that the gun can be fired at least five
times in two minutes.
OF the two tubes the upper is several
feet the longer and Is smooth bore. It
receives 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 con-
taining seven ounces of smoleless pow
der is placed. The inner tube opens into
the lower tube, which in turn opensinto
the upper tube through port immedi-
ntely behind the projectile. When the
projectile is placed in 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 explodes the smokeless pow
der, which congresses the air In the
tube, and this, passing into the upper
tube through the port, exerts there
pressure of 5000 pounds to the square
inch. This pressure expels the pro-
jectile. The air forms a cushion and
protects from shock the walls of the
shell, and, 1t is claimed, obviates the
danger which would follow from the
concussion of the powder were it ex-
ploded directly behind the projectile.
The entire length of the projectile
used is "a inches. This includes a 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 a brass cylinder having conical
head containing a fuse. The main
body of the shell contains usually
charge of explosive gelatine, although
guncotton or any other explosive may
be used. The ignition is effected by
means of mechanical fuse, and Il Is
so arranged that the explosion can fol-
low Immediately upon impact OF
may be delayed for as much as six sec
onds thereafter. When the shell strikes
the water or any other object, a small
steel bail. acting as hammer. is driven
forward by the sudden retardation of
the flight of the shell and strikes one or
more percussion caps causing a de-
tonation. This ignites tube of powder
communicating with the illuminate Of
mercury, and so explodes successively
the guncotton and the main explosive.
The fuse embodies device which rem
ders the shell inactive until It has trav-
eied at least 800 feet from the gun. This
device is very ingenious. There IS at
tached to the head of the fuse little
yane or windmill, which is fastened to
a threaded rsd running back into the
head of the fuse far enough TO press on
the small steel ball mentioned, and hold
IL in place. As the projectile passes
through the afr the blades revolve, and,
in revolving, unscrew the threaded rod,
and thus release 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.
1t cannot be heard at the distance of
one-half mile, nor can any smoke be
seen. Thus it would be nearly impos-
sible for sharpshooters or rapid-fre
gunners to locate the gum. Y. Sun.