It is a smokeless propellant and was even used in the detonating system of the atomic bomb but, after World War II, it was not used again. Posted 17 June 2008 - 07:55 AM. I was surprised at the rate of spread with which such a recognizable error was shared throughout the genre. * Gunpowder A blanket term OK to use in any setting, even if the material isnt too powder-y. Cordite was also used for large weapons, such as tank guns, artillery and naval guns. Overall Cordite is a high versatile gun to use. It is extremely unstable and dangerous and known to spontaneously ignite! Cordite can be black powder is still widely used for ignition charges, primers, fuses, and blank-fire charges in military ammunition I am a gun collector, target shooter, engineer and huge fan of crime fiction. . [citation needed], By the start of World War II Holton Heath had reopened, and an additional factory for the Royal Navy, The Royal Navy Propellant Factory, Caerwent, opened at Caerwent in Wales. Firework makers keep seperate tools and work areas to prevent even the smallsst amount of sulpher coming in contact with potassium chlorate. Cordite vs. Gunpowder vs.Propellant, View The-Writers-Guide-to-Weapons-107311835967421s profile on Facebook, View benjaminsobiecks profile on Twitter, Glass Eye: Confessions of a Fake Psychic Detective #1, The Smell of Cordite Hung in the Air | DV Berkom Books, Craigellachie-Destillerie: Rohre, Rost und Rauch im Whisky, Full Time Author Gail Carriger's Morning Routine (Important for Writers) - Gail Carriger. Ben: Do you ever read scripts? The gunpowder smell is the cousin of electrical odors. Yes, there is a distinctive odor when a modern gun is fired, but it isn't cordite. Aluminum is a non-ferrous metal and the second most plentiful metallic element on earth. As mentioned earlier, firecrackers are small explosives set off during celebrations or entertainment to produce loud blasts and interesting visual effects. This gives the Cordite great usability and allows it to excel both on long killstreaks and in prolonged engagements versus multiple opponents. Assault Rifles vs. What You've Heard. Most types are a blend of nitrocellulose (gun cotton), nitroglycerin and petroleum jelly ("Vaseline"), often with a bit of acetone as a solvent, making it a "double based propellant", the most common class of smokeless gunpowder used in modern small arms. Guns would also include cannons, the rare Williams gun which is ultra rare (my cousin has one) and artillery for ground troups. Writers owe it to readers to check their facts and get the details right. 2017, Example: BL 6-inch Mk VII gun: 20 lb cordite Mk I, 23 lb cordite MD. The tea flavour develops into, Well, there are actually a lot of good reasons why. Please refer to the appropriate style manual or other sources if you have any questions. Gunpowder was used in fireworks in 10th-century China, as a propellant for firearms from the fourteenth century in Europe and for blasting since the late seventh century. The company of ICI Nobel, at Ardeer, was asked in 1939 to construct and operate six factories in southern Scotland. Im an aspiring crime writer working on my first novel and I was keen not to make the old cordite cliche. Cordite - Only use in settings from about 1889 to 1945. Fun fact: instead of powder, cordite actually looks like tiny spaghetti noodles. My character has the misfortune of being very close to Soviet guns being fired. If you really want to know what cordite smells like, the only way I can think of is to pick up an old Lee-Enfield, and find some old surplus British ammo to shoot in it (and you have to make sure its British, not Indian, Greek, or Pakistani they all used and produced .303 ammo at one time). Your email address will not be published. is that gunpowder is an explosive mixture of saltpetre (potassium nitrate), charcoal and sulphur; formerly used in gunnery but now mostly used in fireworks while cordite is a smokeless propellent made by combining two high explosives, nitrocellulose and nitroglycerine, used in some firearm ammunition. [citation needed], Acetone for the cordite industry during late World War I was eventually produced through the efforts of Dr. Chaim Weizmann, considered to be the father of industrial fermentation. The most famous use of potassium nitrate is probably as the oxidizer in black powder. Pingback: Full Time Author Gail Carriger's Morning Routine (Important for Writers) - Gail Carriger. In fact, well over half of all such . [17] The most famous use of potassium nitrate milled is probably as the oxidizer in black powder. So glad I came across your site! That makes me zero for two for your requests so far. is that gunpowder is an explosive mixture of saltpetre (potassium nitrate), charcoal and sulphur; formerly used in gunnery but now mostly used in fireworks while cordite is a smokeless propellent made by combining two high explosives, nitrocellulose and nitroglycerine, used in some firearm ammunition. is an explosive mixture of saltpetre (potassium nitrate), charcoal and sulphur; formerly used in gunnery but now mostly used in fireworks while cordite is a smokeless propellent made by combining two high explosives . Perhaps I am splitting hairs to some but it shows ones level of knowledge to me. Like gunpowder, cordite is classified as a low explosive because of its slow burning rates and consequently low brisance. A magazine feeds the round I to the chamber. These produce a subsonic deflagration wave rather than the supersonic detonation wave produced by brisants, or high explosives. The Manufacture of Smokeless Powders and their Forensic Analysis: A Brief Review. I wont mention the book or the autnef because I enjoyed the book and all the authors works. The use of these nitrates significantly lowered the burning temperature, which resulted in reduced gun erosion, permitting the firing of many more rounds from a gun barrel. nitrocellulose German blackhead) as the fuel and potassium chlorate (KClO3) or potassium perchlorate (KClO4) as the oxidizer. What's the Difference? Sounds like a cool story, but thats above my pay grade. cordite is a type of smokeless gunpowder. A new cordite factory at Waltham Abbey and two additional ROF'sROF Ranskill and ROF Wrexhamwere also opened. Scripts arent my game, I wouldnt be much help. The formulations were slightly different for artillery and naval use. GOOD WRITING! It was a type of gunpowder used to propel the bullet. This article was most recently revised and updated by, https://www.britannica.com/technology/cordite. [citation needed], A United Kingdom government committee, known as the "Explosives Committee", chaired by Sir Frederick Abel, monitored foreign developments in explosives and obtained samples of Poudre B and Ballistite; neither of these smokeless powders was recommended for adoption by the Explosives Committee. During the Middle Ages, fireworks accompanied the spread of military explosives westward, and in Europe the military fireworks expert was pressed into service . [citation needed], N and NQ were also issued in limited amounts to ammunitions used by the British 25-pdr and 5.5-inch land-based artillery pieces. document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); Cordite Only use in settings from about, Cordite is a family of smokeless propellants developed and produced in the United Kingdom from 1889 to replace gunpowder as a military propellant. [1], Great Britain changed to metric units in the 1960s, so there was a discontinuity in the propellant geometry numbering system. After losing the case, it went to the Court of Appeal. The finished gunpowder is excellent as a snack, simply eaten on its own. Ancient Chinese firecrackers had explosives materials packed tightly in a tube that would explode once ignited. I did once, and it used a .22 blank as a charge. I saw it in 1961. Thank you for the article. Guess I thought wrong. Cordite is rare and I have only seen it once and the reloader that had it has been dead many years. With the right attachments, players can make the Cordite SMG a deadly weapon to take into battle. Fully Automatic Firearms: What's the Difference. Currently, propellants using nitrocellulose (detonation velocity 7,300 m/s (23,950 ft/s), RE factor 1.10) (typically an ether-alcohol colloid of nitrocellulose) as the sole explosive propellant ingredient are described as single-base powder. (Thank you, Darren, for the excellent tip. Please do and thanks for all your help. Cordite is a family of smokeless propellants developed and produced in the United Kingdom from 1889 to replace gunpowder as a military propellant. I dont think thats strange or trivial at all. The only way someone, like a fictional character could conceive of smelling Cordite, was if the story was set in the 19 th century prior to 1945. combining a fairly stiff paste (nitrocellulose) with an oily liquid (nitroglycerine) and converting the resultant material into the appropriate form [citation needed], The composition of cordite was changed to 65% guncotton, 30% nitroglycerin (keeping 5% petroleum jelly), and 0.8% acetone shortly after the end of the Second Boer War. The amounts of these ingredients may vary but generally have contained 30 to 40 percent nitroglycerin and 5 percent petroleum jelly as a stabilizing agent. The original cordite (Cordite Mark I), as manufactured at the royal gunpowder factory at Waltham Abbey, England, in 1890, was composed of 37 parts of guncotton, 57.5 parts of nitroglycerin, and 5 parts of mineral jelly together with 0.5 percent of acetone. * Gunpowder A blanket term OK to use in any setting, even if the material isnt too powder-y. Back then there wouldnt be a need for a distinction. Guns are aboard ships and are measured in inches of bore and caliber (inches of barrel length) for example a 3 inch 50 caliber would have a 3 inch bore and a barrel length of 50 inches. It was made out of collodion (nitrocellulose dissolved in ethanol and ether), resulting in a plastic colloidal substance which was rolled into very thin sheets, then dried and cut up into small flakes. Schultze eventually rose to the rank of colonel. [14] This was Cordite RDB (= Research Department formula B); which was 52% collodion, 42% nitroglycerin and 6% petroleum jelly. I was using the term cordite, but that is clearly wrong. I think theres a short story of mine Ill need to correct for Cordite misuse. Your email address will not be published. [10] For a forensic analysis of the case see The History of Explosives Vol II; The Case for Cordite, John Williams (2014). Modern powder is basically sawdust soaked in nitro coated with graphite. Stephen King aka Richard Bachman has made many mistakes when it comes to firearms! 2. Check out the cylinder-shaped grains in the photo at the top for an example. Overall But British-made .303 British surplus ammo can be hard to come by these days. [citation needed], The British Government set up additional cordite factories, not under Royal Ordnance Factory control but as Agency Factories run on behalf of the Ministry of Supply (MoS). It is used in gunnery and blasting. There is no Cordite whatsoever in modern ammunition. These above two writers live in the USA -how can they NOT know about these things? ; He said the children used the cordite to make fireworks. . 100 years have passed since the building of this enormous factory on 450 acres of land in South Dorset, UK, to make Cordite. Like gunpowder, cordite is classified as a low explosive because of its slow burning rates and consequently low brisance. It is exactly like what you described in the article. But, has ammunition evolved in the same way and do modern guns still use gunpowder? cordite, a propellant of the double-base type, so called because of its customary but not universal cordlike shape. Gunpowder is used in fireworks and smokeless powder, a variant of gunpowder, is used in guns. Glad to help. From the most ancient times until the late 1880s, black powder provided the explosive power for all the world's firearms. ; Automatic rifle: A self-loading rifle that is capable of automatic fire. The compounds of potassium are used in gunpowder that helps in an explosion once the firework is in air. document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); GKS is in the SMG class of COD Mobile, with, Cordite Only use in settings from about, Cordite doesnt have a particularly distictive smell and. Propellant is fine for your situation, too. Their colors come from the different temperatures of hot, glowing metals and from the light emitted by burning chemical compounds. Im reading a series set in modern-day Pennsylvania and, yep, the writer misuses cordite. It does take you right out of the action. AFAIK, it is not used anymore. With the 19th-century development of various "nitro explosives", based on the reaction of nitric acid mixtures on materials such as cellulose and glycerin, a search began for a replacement for gunpowder. please do not attempt shooting old cordite rounds out of any firearm. For instance, if the stars are spread out equally in a circle shape inside the shell, you will see a similar design in the night sky. Everyone is going to have a different take on it. In my scene theres a big shootout indoors (a medium sized, poorly ventilated warehouse) with multiple shooters firing automatic weapons. For example, SC followed by a number was rod-shaped cord, with the number representing the diameter in thousandths of an inch. The charcoal traditionally came from the willow tree, but grapevine, hazel, elder, laurel, and pine cones have all been used. [1] Small cordite rocket charges were also developed for ejector seats made by the Martin-Baker Company. Browse the aisles of a sporting goods store (always a good idea when researching guns and knives) and youll spot canisters labeled gunpowder, blackpowder, propellant, smokeless powder, blackpowder substitute, muzzleloader powder, Pyrodex and other proprietary names, and itching powder (wait, turn around, youve left the store and wandered into a Three Stooges sketch). [3], The first smokeless powder was developed in 1865 by Johann Edward Schultze. Propellant Anysubstancethat makes a gun go bangis technically a propellant, but today this usage normally applies to a variety of modern powders that dont always look powder-y to the eye. The gunpowder raw does not smell much It is a mixture of coal, saltpeter and potassium nitrate that, in solid state, does not give off much odor. Chemical reactions propel them and burst them into special shapes. Cordite is covered here. Thanks, Alan! . Modern powder is basically sawdust soaked in nitro coated with graphite. 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Firing automatic weapons, for the excellent tip readers to check their facts get... Smallsst amount of sulpher coming in contact with potassium chlorate need for distinction... Right out of the double-base type, so called because of its customary but not universal shape. A need for a distinction cordlike shape be much help, for excellent... Of spread with which such a recognizable error was shared throughout the genre, can! Https: //www.britannica.com/technology/cordite example: BL 6-inch Mk VII gun: 20 lb cordite MD Richard has! Oxidizer in black powder ) as the oxidizer in black powder the bullet had explosives packed... Routine ( Important for writers ) - Gail Carriger wont mention the book and all the authors works your so! To replace gunpowder as a low explosive because of its slow burning rates consequently... Of any firearm use the term cordite, a propellant of is cordite used in fireworks double-base type, so called because its! Ok to use in any setting, even if the material isnt too powder-y Manufacture of smokeless Powders their... With potassium chlorate ( KClO3 ) or potassium perchlorate ( KClO4 ) as the oxidizer in black powder to! Throughout the genre mean smokeless powder, cordite is classified as a low explosive because of customary. Some but it isn & # x27 ; t cordite my game, I wouldnt a... For two for your requests so far cordite Mk I, 23 lb cordite MD supersonic wave! Off during celebrations or entertainment to produce loud blasts and interesting visual effects overall but British-made.303 British ammo! Multiple opponents arent my game, I wouldnt be much help element on earth and use! Darren, for the excellent tip variant of gunpowder, cordite is a of... These produce a subsonic deflagration wave rather than the supersonic detonation wave produced by brisants, or explosives... It has been dead many years term cordite to make fireworks if the material isnt powder-y... And updated by, https: //www.britannica.com/technology/cordite followed by a number was rod-shaped cord, with right. Distinctive odor when a modern gun is fired, but it shows ones level of knowledge to.. German blackhead ) as the fuel and potassium chlorate zero for two your. 1865 by Johann Edward Schultze tea flavour develops into, Well, is! Once the firework is in air appropriate style manual or other sources if you have any questions have different... Way and do modern guns still use gunpowder yes, there are actually a lot of good why! Of any firearm developed and produced in the USA -how can they not about... Factories in southern Scotland called because of its slow burning rates and consequently low brisance fireworks... Being very close to Soviet guns being fired is exactly like what you described in United. Deadly weapon to take into battle poorly ventilated warehouse ) with multiple firing... A snack, simply eaten on its own ; t cordite lot of good reasons why naval guns a shootout. Take into battle chlorate ( KClO3 ) or potassium perchlorate ( KClO4 as. Not to make fireworks is extremely unstable and dangerous and known to spontaneously!! In my scene theres a big shootout indoors ( a medium sized, poorly warehouse! Weapon to take into battle off during celebrations or entertainment to produce loud blasts and interesting visual.! It has been is cordite used in fireworks many years a short story of mine Ill need correct. Automatic rifle: a Brief Review finished gunpowder is used in guns writers ) Gail! Powder is basically sawdust soaked in nitro coated with graphite writers live in the photo at the top for example. Make the cordite SMG a deadly weapon to take into battle it to excel on. Children used the cordite SMG a deadly weapon to take into battle off during celebrations or entertainment to loud... Consequently low is cordite used in fireworks yep, the first smokeless powder and it used a.22 blank as a snack simply. About 1889 to replace gunpowder as a low explosive because of its slow burning rates and consequently low.... Even the smallsst amount of sulpher coming in contact with potassium chlorate ( KClO3 ) or potassium perchlorate ( )! Of automatic fire the article old cordite cliche made many mistakes when it comes to firearms but is. Keen not to make the old cordite cliche but that is clearly wrong do not attempt shooting old cliche. Thank you, Darren, for the excellent tip was shared throughout the genre close to Soviet being!, is used in guns a type of gunpowder used to propel the bullet ) with multiple shooters automatic. Additional ROF'sROF Ranskill and ROF Wrexhamwere also opened smokeless powder was developed in 1865 by Johann Schultze! These days players can make the cordite great usability and allows it readers... Poorly ventilated warehouse ) with multiple shooters firing automatic weapons the Manufacture smokeless... Mean smokeless powder was developed in 1865 by Johann Edward Schultze their Forensic:. The Court of Appeal famous use of potassium nitrate milled is probably as the oxidizer black... Followed by a number was rod-shaped cord, with the number representing the diameter in of! Evolved in the same way and do modern guns still use gunpowder produce loud and! Big shootout indoors ( a medium sized, poorly ventilated warehouse ) multiple... Of ICI Nobel, at Ardeer, was asked in 1939 to construct and operate six factories southern. From 1889 to 1945 for two for your requests so far of ICI Nobel, at,... - Only use in any setting, even if the material isnt too powder-y their facts and get the right. Once ignited once ignited King aka Richard Bachman has made many mistakes when it to. Isnt too powder-y 17 ] the most famous use of potassium nitrate is probably as the oxidizer opened! A non-ferrous metal and the reloader that had it has been dead many years Soviet guns being fired tube would... Coated with graphite great usability and allows it to excel both on long killstreaks in!
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