A Guide to Ammunition Collecting
Copyright International Ammunition
Association, 2000, 2001, 2006All rights reserved.
A wealth of useful information for new and
experienced cartridge collectors.
A Cartridge Collector's Glossary
This alphabetical list of terms and definitions
has been assembled from the comments and contributions of cartridge collectors
over a five-year inquiry period. It is hoped that the terms used herein
will be accepted on a universal basis to aid in our understanding and communication
of cartridge lore.
(To recommend additions or corrections
click here)
You can SEARCH for any term using
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ANIMAL GUT CARTRIDGE - A primitive combustible cartridge consisting
of a tubular sheath or sack filled with black powder which is attached
to the base of a conical bullet. The sheath is made from thin, treated
animal gut and is reasonably moisture proof. See William Mont Storm patent
#33,611 and Hotchkiss patent #34,364. Most were made by D.C.Sage and found
in .36, .44, and .56 Colt caliber as well as a few others.
ALLEN, ETHAN - A gunmaker in the mid- 1800s who produced a distinctive
series of cartridges along with his guns. A series of rimfires from .22
short to .56-56 Spencer were made. Most are readily identified by the distinctive
bullet design. See also LIPFIRE.
ANNIVERSARY ROUND - A special commemorative cartridge, usually
with a special headstamp which is issued to mark a particular event. A
popular example is the .30-06 round issued to mark the 50th anniversary
of that cartridge.
ANVIL - A portion of the primer pocket or primer which provides
resistance to the crushing action of the firing pin which causes the printing
mixture to detonate.
ANNULAR RING - A circumferential crimp or indentation around
the primer. In some military rounds, a dye was used in this ring for waterproofing
and often to identify some characteristic of the cartridge.
ASSAULT RIFLE CARTRIDGE - Any one of a growing family of small-caliber,
short-case-length cartridges which are designed for modern high rate-of-fire
assault weapons. These were developed to reduce recoil, to make automatic
fire more controlled and to enable personnel to carry more ammunition to
support the high rate of consumption with those weapons.
ATTACHED HEAD - Relatively early centerfire cartridges which
were designed to have the head of the cartridge attached to the body by
riveting or other means. Rounds of this design can be attributed to the
late 1860s and several decades beyond. A typical example is the .577 Snider.
AUXILIARY CARTRIDGE or CHAMBER - An adaptive device which may
superficially resemble a cartridge but which, in reality, is a "chamber
space filler" enabling a smaller round to be used in a gun chambered for
a larger cartridge. Thus a .32 short centerfire pistol cartridge can be
fired in a WWII German Mauser which normally would chamber a 7.92 x 57
round.
BALL ROUND - Originally referring to round balls as opposed
to shot or shell in early muskets or artillery. Now used in military parlance
to denote the basic nonspecialized bullet type, as opposed to armor-piercing,
tracer, etc.
BALLOON RIVET - A large hemispherical-headed rivet sometimes
used to secure an attached head to a cartridge case. The head of the rivet
is visible when looking into the mouth of an empty case having this feature.
Usually ap-plied to thin-rim Maynard separate-primed cases.
BAR ANVIL-PRIMED – An early type of inside-primed cartridge
(patented by E.H.Martin, evolved from #48,820, 7-1-1865) in which a short
bar of iron is transverse to the base of the cartridge and secured by distinctive
crimps. This bar serves as an anvil, against which the firing pin can impact
to cause ignition.
BARTHOLOW PATENT - An early combustible cartridge (patent #32,345.
5-21-1861) in which the powder was compressed and semi-solidified, and
adhered to the base of the bullet. There is a visible outer linen wrap
to assist in holding the powder to the bullet firmly and to provide moisture
protection.
BATTERY CUP - A flanged metallic cup used in shotshell primer
assemblies that provides a rigid support for the primer cup and anvil.
BELTED CASE - A case with a distinct raised ring around the
head just forward of the extractor groove, used to headspace the cartridge.
Found on many high velocity rifle cartridges.
BENET-PRIMED - A common style of inside-primed car-tridge developed
by Col. S.V Benet commander of Frankford Arsenal in the late 1860s. It
was used extensively in early U.S. military ammunition. A copper or iron
cup was secured inside the head of the case by characteristic crimps. This
cup served as an anvil to enable the firing pin to activate the priming
mixture and also to reinforce the head of the case.
BERDAN-PRIMED - A centerfire cartridge design by Hiram Berdan
(patent #82,587, 9-29-1868). A primer consisting of a metal cup filled
with priming mixture and sealed with foil or shellac was inserted into
the primer pocket of the cartridge case. The anvil is part of the cartridge
case, i.e. a raised portion of the primer pocket which was perforated to
permit the ignition to set off the powder charge. Starting in the early
1870s this type of printing system was widely used for both military and
sporting ammunition.
BEVELED HEAD - Describes a style of cartridge case in which
a bevel is machined or formed around the outer portion of the rim of the
cartridge case.
BLACK POWDER - The first type of gunpowder consisting of a mixture
of charcoal, sulfur and potassium nitrate. It is characteristically graded
by grain size such as Fg (coarse) or FFFFG (fine). It generates low
pressures in gun chambers.
BOARD DUMMY - Usually an inert specimen cartridge which was
prepared by the factory for mounting on a promotional or educational display
board. These usually have holes drilled or punched through case walls for
mounting wires and often have wooden rods internally. Original specimens
usually bring a premium over regular equivalents.
BOAT-TAILED BULLET - A bullet whose base is tapered similar
in profile to a boat's stern. The purpose is to reduce ballistic drag.
This has also been referred to as a taper-heel bullet.
BORE - The bore diameter of a weapon. For rifled weapons it
is usually the land or minimum diameter. This is expressed in either inches
or millimeters. Some early rifled weapons and both early and present shotguns
bores use the "GAUGE" terminology, defined elsewhere.
BOTTLENECKED CASE - A cartridge case having abrupt reduction
in its diameter toward its open or mouth end. This permits large case capacity
without making the case overly long.
BOXER PRIMER - A priming system developed in the late 1860s
by Col. E.M. Boxer of England. (U.S. Patent #91,818 of 6-29-1869) as an
improvement to Daw's Patent. The primer contained both the priming mixture
and an anvil. This system is used in most modern U.S. centerfire
cartridges.
BRONZE POINT (BULLET) - A separate bronze wedge was fitted to
the point of the bullet of various big-game cartridges. It provided both
aerodynamic streamlining and served to initiate expansion on impact.
BUCK AND BALL - A loading wherein a combination of a single
ball and several smaller balls were loaded into a single cartridge to improve
firepower. In larger calibers, sometimes called CANISTER rounds.
BUCKSHOT - Generally any cartridge loaded with a number of large
round balls. Originally the term related to deer hunting. The term has
been applied to both old and modern cartridges.
CANNELURE(S) - The circumferential swaged, machined or milled
groove(s) around a bullet (for sealing; also often for identification)
or cartridge case. Often used to provide visual or tactile identification
of special loadings of military ammunition. They are also used to hold
lead bullet lubricant.
CARTOUCHE - The French language equivalent of the word "cartridge"
but also meaning "box" or enclosure, such as an "inspector's cartouche"
referring to the boxed inspectors stamp appearing on some guns and headstamps.
CASE LENGTH - The longest measurement of a cartridge case.
e
CASELESS CARTRIDGE - Usually refers to relatively modern cartridges
wherein the "case" is molded solid propellant with an attached projectile
and primer. The "case" is consumed in firing. These are basically experimental
types designed to save weight and cost.
CENTENNIAL ROUND - A special-headstamped commemorative cartridge
referring to special .45-70 cases and rounds made up at the U.S. Centennial
Exposition in 1876. Headstamp is an entwined USC (U.S. Carbine) with the
dates 1776-1876.
CENTERFIRE - A cartridge case whose peimer is located at the
geometric center of its circular base. Such rounds are usually reloadable.
COAL-DUST DUMMY - A type of inert cartridge made in Britain
in which coal dust has been substituted for gun powder to approximate the
weight and feel of a loaded round. These are highly collectable and usually
have an affixed paper label reading "COAL-DUST.”
COLLODION - A cellulose treatment applied to certain 1850-60-period
combustible cartridges to help render them moisture-resistant (see Bartholow's
and Hazard's Patents)
COMBUSTIBLE CARTRIDGE - A term applied to certain early ammunition
which contained propellant in a sometimes nitrated paper casing which was
affixed to or enclosed the projectile. The entire envelope was consumed
in the firing of the round
COPPER WASH -A copper coating which was applied to a steel cartridge
case for the purpose of corrosion resistance.
COPPER-TUBED BULLET - A lead hollow-pointed bullet into which
is inserted a thin, closed-ended copper tube. Its purpose was to preserve
the bullet's aerodynamic shape. Sometimes the tube was charged with fulminate
to create an explosive bullet. Also called "Express Bullet".
CORDITE - A type of smokeless nitrocellulose powder which was
used widely in British military and sporting cartridges. Cordite grains
usually resemble very thin strands of spaghetti but sometimes have other
forms.
CORRUGATED CASE - Cartridges whose cases have been subjected
to dies which form deep, usually longitudinal grooves in the case. These
provide both visual and tactile identification, mostly for dummy rounds.
Short corrugations at the shoulder were also used on early .30-06 guard
cartridges.
CREEDMOOR - The Creedmoor Range was a famous long range shooting
site on Long Island, NY, in the late 1880s. The term has come to
be applied to cartridges of .44 or .45 caliber of the type used in Creedmore
Rules rifles.
CRISPIN CARTRIDGE - A distinctive type of rimfire cartridge
where the fulminate is contained in an annular ring nearly midway between
the base and mouth of the cartridge. The most common type is the .50 caliber
version intended for use in converted Civil War Smith Patent carbines.
It is also known in .44 and .31 calibers. Patent #49,237, 8-08-1865.
CUPFIRE CARTRIDGE - A front-loading rimfire cartridge used in
early pistols which were designed to circumvent the Rollin White bored-through
cylinder design. The fulminate was distributed around the concave base
of the cartridge. Known in .28, .30 and .42 calibers. Probably made by
Phoenix or American Cartridge Companies. Some have raised A or P headstamps.
CUTAWAY CARTRIDGE - Any cartridge which has been sectioned to
display its interior construction. Some are factory-made but most have
been sectioned by collectors.
DARDICK CARTRIDGE - One of a family of experimental cartridges
called "trounds" (Triangular ROUND) made for a family of patented guns
and tools, starting in the mid 1950s. These are usually encased in plastic
but occasionally have metallic cases.
DRAPER CARTRIDGE - Actually a misnomer, these are really Wills
Patent (#45,292 of 11-29-1864). A screw-off base reveals a percussion nipple.
Several dozen variations are known in various calibers, lengths and base
styles. A few (rare) rifle rounds are
also known. The bases are marked "Patented Nov. 29, 1864 F.D.
& Co .
DRAW SET - A series of manufacturing stages of a cartridge case,
bullet or primer.
DWM NUMBER - A caliber-identifying number or nurnber/letter
combination which was used by the Deutsch Waffen und Munitionsfabriken
(DWM) of Germany. Additional information such as date codes were sometimes
included in these headstamps.
EMBOSSED HEAD - A solid or formed-head cartridge whose base
exhibits a raised circular portion of lesser diameter than the rim. Also
called "Ring Base".
EXPRESS BULLET - See "COPPER-TUBED BULLET"
EXTRACTOR CORD CARTRIDGE - A rare Maynard experimental cartridge
which utilizes a short length of cord to assist in extracting a fired case.
EXTRACTOR GROOVE - An annular groove machined into the cartridge
case, usually just above the rim which provides a grip for the gun's extractor
to pull the fired or unfired case from the chamber.
EXTRACTOR WIRE CARTRIDGE - A rare Maynard experimental round
using a short loop of wire attached to the cartridge's base to facilitate
extraction.
FARRINGTON PRIMER - A distinctive style of primer, used primarily
by the U.S. Cartridge Company in the late 1880s. Appearance is a very flat,
nearly concave copper disc, flush with the cartridge base.
FIXED AMMUNITION - Ammunition containing at least propellant
and projectile as opposed to semi-fixed and separate-loaded ammunition
wherein the propellant and projectiles are loaded separately. Modern usage
applies to artillery ammunition.
FLASH HOLE OR VENT - One or more holes through the bottom of
the primer pocket to trans-mit the primer flame to the powder charge.
FLASH TUBE - A tube from the flash hole extended into the powder
chamber, for more uniform ignition.
FLECHETTE CARTRIDGE - A cartridge loaded with one or multiple
finned steel dartlike projectiles. Many experimental varieties were made
in the 1960s to increase firepower.
FLOBERT - A small-caliber (9mm or smaller) rimfire cartridge,
usually used for indoor shooting in Europe. Shot versions were used for
collecting bird specimens. They often have elaborate raised headstarnps
and many contained only primer compound.
FOLDED HEAD - An early method of case construction in which
the base is folded to form the rim and primer pocket.
FRANGIBLE BULLET - A bullet made of various powdered and compressed
materials which was designed to break up on impact rather than penetrate.
During World War II, .30-06 frangible bullets were used for firing practice
against specially armored aircraft. This type of bullet is made currently
in various calibers.
FUNCTIONING DUMMY - Usually a factory-produced inert round intended
to demonstrate or test the action of a weapon without risk to the parties
involved. They were often constructed more ruggedly than were conventional
rounds and normally have visible identifying characteristics such as holes
or cannelures in the case or the coloring of the case.
GAUGE - A method of describing bore diameter of shotguns (usually),
the number of balls of bore diameter which can be cast from a pound of
lead. Thus a 12 Gauge" bore.
GERLICH - Hermann Thorismund Gerlich was a German experimenter
in the late 1920s and early'30s whose investigations were largely oriented
toward producing high velocities resulting from tapering the diameter of
the bore from larger at the breech to smaller at the muzzle, thus giving
a greater initial surface area and maintaining high pressure through a
more efficient gas seal. Cartridges thus designed were distinctive and
although success was sparse, the concept continued into recent times and
examples are highly sought-after.
GILDING METAL - A metal alloy of 90 or 95 per cent copper and
the remainder zinc.
GR NUMBER - A case type identification system used by the Austrian
manufacturer, Georg Roth for their cartridges. These numerical designations
were often incorporated into the cartridge's headstarnp.
GRAVITY-FEED CARTRIDGE - Lead, self-contained cartridges used
by the Loron, Gaupillat and other gravity-feed weapons. They are of the
"volcanic" type, consisting of a pointed, hollow-based lead slug with priming
compound located in the base. As they were strictly indoor "salon" guns,
there is no propellant other than that in the priming mixture.
GREASE GROOVE - The circumferential groove(s) cut or cast around
the body of a bullet to contain grease or other bore lubricant. These grooves
are sometimes visible and sometimes located beneath the mouth of the case.
GUNCOTTON - A cellulose material which has been treated with
appropriate chemicals to produce nitrocellulose, an extremely combustible
material. Used as a bullet propellant.
GYROJET CARTRIDGE - One of a series of relatively modern "rocket
projectiles" developed and produced by the firm of M.B. Associates of San
Ramon, CA, for use in their specialized guns. Consisting of a hollow metallic
case which is filled with a propellant and with a percussion primer in
the center of a base which contains slightly angled discharge orifices.
Once fired the angled orifices cause the cartridge/projectile to rotate
and accelerate. Although never particularly successful, a great variety
of cartridge variations exist in various calibers and include flare rounds.
HALGER - A brief partnership formed by GERlich and his bother-in-law,
HALbe to com-mercialize high velocity weapons. A series of special HALGER
cartridges resulted from this partnership. All were produced in the 1920s
and early'30s time frame.
HART'S PATENT(S) - Metallic shotshells produced under Hart's
various patents. Involved mainly in variations of head construction (#142,924
of 9-16-73; #151,121 of 5-19-74 (with Logan); 169,806 and 807 of 11-09-75).
HAYES' PATENT - British-made combustible cartridges for Colt,
Tranter, Adams and other percussion revolvers. A delicate colloid-encased
powder charge was attached to the base of the bullet and the whole encased
in a paper tube for durability. A cloth tear tab assisted removal. Paper
cases are often printed with Hayes' name and various legends.
HAZARD PATENT - See Collodion
HEAD - The base portion of the case, including that part next
to the rim or extractor groove.
HEADSTAMP - The markings imprinted on the base of the cartridge
case, usually containing information on the caliber and manufacturer or
his logo; on military ammunition, the date of manufacture.
HEEL-TYPE BULLET - A bullet with rear section of reduced diameter;
so when loaded, the front portion is flush with the case.
HIGH BRASS - Refers to the shotshells where the brass head extends
3/4 of an inch, more or less, up the case measured from the base of the
head. Contrast to LOW BRASS or MEDIUM BRASS.
HOLLOW DUMMY - Inert cartridge consisting of empty case and
bullet jacket. Often one-piece construction. Can be identified by its unexpectedly
low weight. See FUNCTIONINGDUMMY.
HOLLOW-POINT BULLET - Bullet with a recessed open cavity at
its tip. The intention is to assist in expansion and shocking power when
impacting on flesh.
HORIZONTAL PINFIRE - Cartridge using a horizontal internal pin
to impact upon the primer which is usually located at the base of the bullet.
In such an instance, ignition starts at the bullet and progresses rearward,
unlike most conventional cartridges. This was perceived to be an improvement
in design at the time of development.
HOXIE BULLET - Produced by the Hoxie Ammunition Company of Chicago
from 1907 to the '30s. Their bullets were characterized by a small steel
ball embedded in the tip to aid in expansion on contact Mostly used for
centerfire rifle calibers, they were also used in .22 Winchester Automatic
rimfires, and often require a magnet to detect.
HUNT ROCKET BALL - Walter Hunt, on August 10, 1848 secured a
patent (# 5,70 1) for... "a ball for firearms, with a cavity to contain
the charge of powder for propelling said ball, in which cavity the powder
is secured by means of a cap enclos-ing the back end."
INSIDE-LUBRICATED BULLET - A patented bullet manufactured by
UMC which was hollow and filled with grease. Upon firing, a piston was
driven for- ward which forced the grease through tiny holes in the side
of the bullet, greasing the bore. Identified by (usually) four
tiny holes in the lead bullet.
INSIDE PINFIRE - A few types of extremely rare cartridges were
ignited by the impact of the weapon's hammer on the wall of the cartridge
case, causing ignition because of an internal mechanism including a rod
or pin and priming compound. The classic Schubarth "egg" is an example
of this type.
INSIDE-PRIMED CARTRIDGE - A generic term relating to a large
family of non-reloadable, mostly centerfire cartridges where the primer
was more or less integral with the case. The act of firing usually deformed
the case to cause ignition. Many examples exist, most common of which are
the BENET, MARTIN and BAR ANVIL rounds found in.50-70 Govt and.45-70 Govt.
LACQUERED CASE - Usually a steel case which has been coated
with lacquer for corrosion protection. Most frequently found with German
WWII or Soviet bloc military rounds. Also found in shotshells to improve
waterproofing.
LAWS PATENT - Albert Law's patent shotshell #131,104 of 9-3-1872
has a series of circumferential corrugations near the mouth of the brass
case to retain the cardboard wad.
LESMOK POWDER - Developed by duPont in 1911 and used by WRA,
Rem-UMC and USC. It was a type of semismokeless powder and was used until
the 1930s.
LINEN CARTRIDGE - Combustible cartridges, usually for Civil
War breechloading longarms such as the Sharps and Starr carbines and rifles.
The powder was contained in a starched linen sack with a nitrated paper
base, which was fastened to me bottom of the lead bullet.
LIPFIRE CARTRIDGE - A form of rimfire cartridge patented by
Ethan Allen (#30,109 9-25-1860) for use in his line of guns. A small fulminate-filled
lip projects from the base rather than a full circumferential rim as found
on common rimfires These were made in .25,32,36 and .44 calibers. The contention
was that they were safer than conventional rimfires
LOOSE PACK - Cartridges provided loosely packaged in cartons
rather than being tightly and neatly organized. Usually found in small,
difficult-to-package calibers such as .22 BB Caps.
LOW BRASS - Shotshells whose brass head extends only 1/4 inch
or less up the case from the base.
MAGNUM - A family of high-powered or high-velocity cartridges
which often have larger cases than usual for their caliber. They often
use a belted case.
MARTIN PRIMER - A patented U.S. inside-primed cartridge (patents
#88,191, 3-23-1869; #111,856,2-14-1871) with a relatively complex folded
case design. Its principal identifying feature is a large, circular primer-like
disc in its head. Mostly found in copper-cased.50-70 cartridges,
.44,.45 and .50 caliber pistol cartridges. Rarely found in brass, or other
calibers.
MAUSER "A-BASE" - A case whose base has a raised central portion;
an early Euro-pean design. Often found with raised headstamps
MEIGS CARTRIDGE - A series of unique and mostly experimental
cartridges by J.V. Meigs (patents #87,352, 4-021869; #175,293, 3-28-1876).
They took a wide variety of forms and are Sometimes found in partial stages
of completion. Those few types which were produced in quantity were probably
made by the U.S. Cartridge Company. The most common is for a.50-cali-ber
magazine rifle.
MILBANK-PRIMED CARTRIDGE - A scarce centerfire cartridge primed
with a unique-appearing primer - one which looks like a struck primer.
It functions like a rimfire cartridge. These were the subject of one of
thirteen cartridge patents awarded to Isaac Milbank. Found in a variety
of calibers, most commonly in .58 Musket, .42 Russian, .43 Spanish and
.45-75. Rarely in a few other calibers such as .50-70.
MORSE CARTRIDGE - Early self-contained cartridges by George
Morse (patents # 15,996, 10-28-1856; #20,214, 511-1858;#20,727,6-29-1858).
Considering the state-of-theart at the time, these metallic, self-contained,
reloadable cartridges were remarkably far sighted. Several types were produced
in a variety of calibers. The best known variety used a rubber base ring
to retain a percussion-cap primer and to provide a gas seal. Much later,
a type was introduced in .45-70 to facilitate reloading of cases.
MOUTH - The open end of the cartridge case into which the bullet
is seated. The "mouth diameter" is the internal measurement of this feature.
MULE EAR CARTRIDGE - The projecting extractor "ear" is similar
in purpose to the Maynard
"Flop Ear" case except this term is usually applied to .36-caliber
cartridges for the Sharps droppings block pistol and pistol-carbine.
NECK - The front portion of the cartridge case into which the
bullet is seated. The "neck diameter" is the external measure of this feature.
NEEDLEFIRE - A type of cartridge designed for use in a gun whose
firing pin is a long needlelike device which penetrates the base of the
cartridge and impacts upon a primer at the base of the bullet.
NICKEL-PLATED - Cartridge cases, bullets or primers which have
been electroplated with nickel and which have a characteristic bright silvery
appearance.
OGIVE - The curved forward part of a bullet.
ONE-PIECE BOX - Cartridge boxes formed from one piece of cardboard
with flap ends Usually refers to collectible .22caliber rimfire or shotshell
boxes.
ORCUTT PRIMER - A patented type of primer used for a short time
by UMC. They are unusually long and require a deep primer pocket.
OUTSIDE-LUBRICATED BULLET- Bullets with exposed annular grease
grooves, or other applied lubricants, often heel-type.
PAPER CARTRIDGE - An early class of cartridge usually consisting
of a bullet and measured powder charge wrapped in a tubular paper envelope.
In use, the container was torn open, the powder poured down the muzzle
of the weapon and the paper used as a wad or discarded. Other types, using
treated paper envelopes, are sometimes termed "paper cartridges" but these
are more properly classified as "combustible cartridges."
PAPER-CASED SHOT CARTRIDGES –
1. Metallic cartridges which have a paper-encased shot load instead
of the metallic projectile.
2. Shotshells where the major material of the case is paper, usually
with a brass, steel or zinc head.
PAPER-PATCHED BULLET - Bullets which have their bearing surface
and base wrapped with paper. The paper is intended to engage the bore's
rifling and strip off as the bullet exits. The purpose is to minimize distortion
of the bullet and reduce wear on the bore. Most often used with target
rifles and European military rifles in the late 1800s.
PATENT IGNITION - Any cartridge with an unusual patented ignition
system. Usually refers to early, developmental types. Common primer types
such as Berdan or Boxer, although patented, are not included in this category.
See, for example, Martin, Benet, Morse, etc.
PEABODY CARTRIDGE - A family of cartridges designed for use
in guns of the Peabody-Martini design. Peabody cartridges include the distinctive
"What Cheer" series and a variety of rare rimfires as well as some more
common centerfires.
PEGGED BULLET - Usually a lead, hollow-point bullet into which
a wooden peg has been inserted to assist expansion or preserve the shape
of the cavity.
PERCUSSION CARTRIDGE - Although most cartridges are technically
percussion cartridges since detonation is a result of a percussive blow
to the primer, percussion cartridges are usually thought of as separate-primed
cartridges used in early breechloading guns where ignition is the result
of use of a percussion cap on a nipple which is a part of the gun.
PINFIRE - A cartridge having a protruding pin, usually at right
angles to the base of the cartridge and projecting through the side of
the case. Impact of the ham-mer on this pin causes internal ignition. Mostly
made by European firms except for a few made by E. Allen, UMC and C.D.
Leet. See also Horizontal Pinfire and Inside Pinfire.
PRIMER - The ignition component of a cartridge.
PRIMER ANNULUS - The circular joint around the primers. Colored
lacquer is sometimes introduced into this area to provide a visual seal
and often to indicate type of loading.
REDUCED (or "REBATED") RIM - A centerfire cartridge case whose
rim diameter is smaller than the diameter of the body of the case.
RIMFIRE - A major class of metal-cased cartridges which have
the priming compound distributed in a ring, usually at the base of the
case. The firing pin crushes the rim, igniting the primer.
RIMLESS CARTRIDGE - Cartridges with extractor grooves, whose
rims are approximately the same diameter as the rest of the head. In a
very few cases, true rimless cartridges such as certain of the Bergmann
series, have no extractor groove whatsoever.
RIMMED CARTRIDGE - Cartridges with rims which are larger in
diameter than the rest of the head.
ROLL CRIMP - A type of crimp whereby the entire mouth end of
the case is turned in to secure the bullet in place. This is the standard
method used for many modern cartridges.
SABOT - A lightweight carrier in which a sub-caliber projectile(s)
is centered to permit firing. An enclosure to facilitate the firing of
shot usually in a rifled barrel.
SEMI-RIMMED (OR SEMI-RIMLESS CARTRIDGE) - Cartridges with extractor
grooves whose rims are larger in diameter than the rest of the head.
SEMI-SMOKELESS GUNPOWDER - A transitional relatively low-pressure
propellant which bridged the gap between black and smokeless powder. "LESMOK"
was a typical brand name.
SEPARATE-PRIMED - Early cartridges where only the bullet and
propellant were contained within the cartridge case. The priming system
was typically a percussion cap on a nipple with the flame conducted to
the base of the cartridge by internal channeling within the gun.
SHOULDER - That part of a bottlenecked case which connects the
body and the neck.
SINTERED BULLET - A solid bullet formed by the high-pressure
consolidation of powdered metal into a bullet form. Such bullets were made
experimentally and loaded into .30-06 cases just prior to WWII also adopted
by Germany in 9mm during the war.
SKIN CARTRIDGE - A combustible cartridge whose case was formed
by nitrating natural animal gut or a substitute material.
SMOKELESS POWDER - Any of a vast variety of modern nitrocellulose,
or other composition, high-pressure propellants used in cartridges.
SOFT-NOSED BULLET – A jacketed bullet with exposed lead tip,
usually intended for hunting, whose purpose was to expand upon impact with
flesh.
SOLID-DRAWN CASE - A cartridge case formed from a metallic disc
which has been subjected to an alternating series of progressive draws
and anneals, resulting in a finished cartridge case. (see Draw Set)
SOLID HEAD - The modern type of case construction where the
head is formed from comparatively thick metal for reinforcement, to withstand
the higher pressures of modern loads. Nearly all modern cartridges are
made in this manner.
SOLID DUMMY - A dummy or exercise cartridge of solid turned
or cast construction.
SPITZER BULLET - A pointed bullet; from the German word "'Spitz"
meaning pointed. Most modern military bullets are of this type.
STAKE CRIMP - A rectangular crimp on the case neck or primer
pocket.
STAB CRIMP - A crimp on the case neck which appears as a point
or dot. Also called "Point Crimp".
STAR CRIMP - A crimp used for blank or shot cartridges whereby
the mouth of the case is closed by starlike folds. Also called "Rose Crimp".
STRAIGHT CASE - A cartridge case having little or no taper along
its length and no abrupt change in diameter as would a "Bottlenecked" case.
STURTEVANT PATENT - A type of shotshell (patent #54,038, 4-17-1866)
having a combination depriming pin and anvil built into the primer pocket,
serving dual purposes.
SUB-CALIBER CARTRIDGE or CHAMBER - A hollow device of cartridge
dimensions, often rifled , to enable the use of a smaller caliber bullet
SWAGE CRIMP - A type of crimp whereby the entire mouth end of
the case is reduced in diameter by a swaging die to secure the bullet in
place. Swage crimping is the standard method of manufacturing many modern
cartridges.
TAPER BORE - A experimental design of gun whereby the bore tapers
to smaller diameter at the muzzle end. The objective is to create higher
velocities (see Gerlich).
TAPERED CASE - Cartridges with cases tapered in diameter from
base to mouth or base to shoulder. The purpose is to assist extraction.
TEATFIRE CARTRIDGE - Cartridges designed for use in front-loading
revolvers
(Williamson Patent #41,183, 1-051864) as a circumvention of the Rollin
White patent owned by Smith and Wesson. They are characterized by a small
round or flat teat in the base containing the fulminate and are known in.32
and.45 caliber.
TEFLON-COATED - Refers to cartridge cases or bullets which have
been coated with Teflon to reduce friction.
THUER'S CARTRIDGE - An early type of centerfire cartridge designed
for use in Thuer Conversions of the Colt percussion revolvers. They taper
from the mouth to a smaller base and were front-loaded into the cylinders.
They are found in .3 1, .3 6 and .44 caliber and an extremely rare version
is known in inside-primed (Benetlike) .44 caliber.
TIE-BASE CARTRIDGES - Usually Shaips combustible paper cartridges
where the paper powder-carrying envelope is tied to a projection on the
base of the bullet.
TINNED/NICKEL CASE - Cartridge cases which have been tin or
nickel plated for corrosion reduction, or identification.
TOP WAD - The paper closure at the mouth of a shotshell. It
often contains data about the loading, propellant or loader.
TWO-PIECE BOX - A relatively early type of cartridge box where
the upper and lower sections were made to nest together. Two types are
noted - the liftoff cover and the match box types.
VOLCANIC CARTRIDGE - Cartridges designed for early Smith and
Wesson (later Volcanic Arms) guns. They are deeply concave-based lead cartridges
containing powder and primer within their bases. They are an evolution
of the Hunt Rocket Ball.
WESSON CARTRIDGES - An enigmatic family of car-tridges, many
of which are rare and/or difficult to identify, designed for use in Wesson
tip-up and other Wesson arms. A .55-caliber shotshell is also known.
WHAT CHEER CARTRIDGES - A series of distinctive long-range sporting
cartridges for the Peabody-Martini target rifles. The name "What Cheer"
refers to a famous shooting range in Rhode Island. The term goes back to
early R.I. settlers who used it as a greeting, equivalent to "how goes
it". Three calibers are known: .40-70, .40-90 and .44-95.
WILDCAT CARTRIDGE - A nonstandard cartridge usually made by
a private experimenter and often based upon modifications of an existing
commercial cartridge case.
WILLS PATENT - See Draper. The so-called Drapers are, in fact,
made to the Wills Patent (#45,292, 11-29-1864)
WINDOW SHELL - A manufacturer's sample cartridge, cut away and
provided with a transparent window in the side to show interior construction.
WOOD-CASED SHOT CARTRIDGE - A cartridge which has a hollow wooden
shot-filled projectile. Usually found in calibers not ordinarily associated
with shot cartridges, E.g.: .45-70.
Copyright 2001 by the International Ammunition Association,
Inc. All rights reserved.
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Revised 22 October 2001