Improved Process for the Production of an Explosive Substance for Fire Arms.
Year: 1899

page_text: Date of Application, 21st Apr., 1899-Accepted, 15th July, 1899
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
Improved Process for the Production of an Explosive Substance for
Fire Arms.
I, RICHARD FRANZ LEUSCHEL, Merchant, of Weida, Germany, do hereby declare
the nature of this invention and in what manner the same is to be performed,
to be particularly described and ascertained in and by the following statement:-
This invention for an improved process for the production of an explosive sub-
stance for fire arms relates to a process for the production of an explosive sub-
stance in which the muscincoe, the highest group of non-vascular cryptogamous
plants, and the sphagnaceoe, a monotypic order of soft stemless mosses are em-
ployed, and which containing nitrogen, serve as carriers of the same.
The process is explained in the following description:
The muscineoe or sphagnaceoe, freed from impurities are first boiled in alkaline
solutions, compressed, washed, macerated with muriatic acid, bleached with hypo-
chlorite of soda, or hypochlorite of lime, and after being well washed, dried.
Thereby extractive matter is eliminated, the salts dissolved, and a loosening of
the stalky and leafy particles from each other effected.
These vegetable substances are then rubbed and the soft leafy particles sepa-
rated from the hard stalky matter and other impurities by filtration and the
employment of an air-blast apparatus.
This operation is repeated with the leafy particles which undergo prolonged
digestion with weak muriatic acid and are finally treated with sulphurous acid
gas and thoroughly washed.
By these means the material is further purified and the stalky particles com-
pletely dissociated from the leafy matters, settle at the bottom, and are separated
from the leafy matters by decanting.
The leafy particles thus obtained are dried and pulverised.
They are intended for absorbing carbon hydrate solutions, containing, accord-
ing to the purpose for which intended, sugar in its various forms, caramel, dex-
trine, starch in the form of paste, or otherwise, or glycerine, either alone or in
combination with carbon hydrate solutions.
This preparation is then dried and with a mixture composed of three parts of
sulphuric acid, nitrated with one part of nitric acid, the acid being eliminated after
some hours, and the material washed and dried.
The preparation is then steeped with a solution of saltpetre alone, or in com-
bination with chromic acid salts.
With the aid of a solvent (such as acetic acid etc.) for the absorbed nitrate
carrier or by the employment of heat, the product is granulated, converted into
sheets or pressed into large pieces.
Instead of the muscineoe, fibrous vegetable matters wood cellulose, or cotton,
may be used. In the case of cotton being employed, an important result is that
the cotton after impregnation with the above-mentioned carbon hydrates
acquires an easy, mild effect, which makes it immediately suitable for shooting,
[Price 8di

page_text: etc., whereas cotton alone, nitrated in the same way, would produce a substance
exploding with great force.
By means of this process the carbon hydrates in the muscineoe or sphagnaceoe
cells, which are very suitable for the purpose, can be distributed so advantageously
that a more thorough nitration as well as an easier elimination of acid is effected
than if carbon hydrates were nitrated alone without these carriers.
In consequence of its uniform porousness throughout the product can be
penetrated easily and thereby a quick and quiet expansion of the igniting flame
is assured as well as the possibility of using the product in the form of cartridges.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of my said in-
vention and in what manner the same is to be performed I declare that what I
claim is:
_
1. Process for the production of an explosive preparation consisting in im-
pregnating muscineoe or sphagnaceoe with solutions of carbon hydrates contain-
ing sugar in its various forms, caramel; dextrine, starch, etc., or glycerine or
with glycerine in combination with carbon hydrates, dried and then nitrated.
2. In the process mentioned under Claim 1, the employment of fibrous vege-
table matters, wood cellulose or cotton instead of the muscineoe or sphagnaceoe.
3. In connection with the process claimed under Claim 1, the further impreg-
nating for special purposes of the product obtained with chromic acid salts.
Dated this 21st day of April 1899.
WHEATLEY & MACKENZIE,
40, Chancery Lane, London, W.C., Agents.