OP-4 Ammunition

190 Pages·2009·23.69 MB·English

RESTRICTED ORDNANCE PAMPHLET NO. 4
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AMMUNITION
INSTRUCTIONS FOR THE NAVAL SERVICE
MAY 1943
RESTRICTED
ORDNANCE PAMPHLET NO.4
AMMUNITION
INSTRUCTIONS FOR THE NAVAL SERVICE
This publication is RESTRICTED ancl will he hancllecl in accorclance with
Article 76, Unitecl States Navy Regulations, 1920
MAY 1943

TABLE OF CONTENTS
Chapter 'l'itJc Page
T. General instructions___ _____ _____ -------·---- ----------
11. Safety precautions___________________________________________ 11
IlL Description and history of explosives_________________________ 13
IV. Black powder_________ _ _ _ __ _ _ _ _ _ _ __ _ __ _ __ __ _ __ _ __ __ _ ___ ___ 21
V. Smokele!>S powc!er_ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ __ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ __ _ _ _ 27
Vl. Examination and tests of powder aboard ship ___ --------------- 45
VTT. Surveillance ovens__________________________________________ 59
VIII. High explosives____________________________________________ 69
lX_ Detonating substances______________________________________ 83
X. Projectiles_________________________________________________ R9
XI. Cartridge cases and case ammunition_________________________ 101
XU. Ammunition conLainers_ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ __ _ _ _ _ _ __ __ ______ __ _ _ __ 105
XIJT. Fuzes and tracers__________________________________________ JO!)
XIV. Primers___________________________________________________ 11 a
XV. Assembled charges_________________________________________ 117
XVT. Miscellaneous ammunition__________________________________ 123
XVII. Aircraft ammunition________________________________________ 137
XVlli. Stowage of ammunition_----------------------- ___________ 139
XTX. Pyrot.cchnic materials___ ------------ --------------------- 141
XX. Marking or ammunition _____________________·_ ________________ 143
LIST OF FIGURES
Figure
l . Sulphur burner__ __ _ _ _ _ __ _ _ _ _ _ _ . _ . __ _ __ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ 29
2. Cotton picking machine __________________________ ------------_ 31
3. CoLLon drye1·------------ ----------- ----------- --------- 32
4. Cotton nit,·aters ______________ ------------ ____ ____ ____ 34
5. Centrifllgal wringer__ ---------- ------------ ____ . ___ 34
6 .Pyro dischaJ"ge to boiling tubs________________________ _____ ____ 35
7. Boiling tubs _____ ------------------------------------- 3G
8. Duplex beater, pulping machine _______________________ -------- 37
9. Poaching tubs ______________ ----------- __ ·--------- _________ 37
10. Pyro screens_______ _ ___ -------------------- ------------ ____ 38
l 1. Dewatering machine ________ --------------------____ ------------ 39
12. Dehydrating press _______________________________ ·-_____ _ __ __ __ 40
13. Mixing machine _________ -------------------------------------- 41
14. Blocking press_________________________________________________ 41
15. Macaroni press__ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ __ _ _ _ __ _ _ _ _ __ __ _ _ __ _ _ _ _ _ _ __ _ _ _ _ _ _ 42
16. Graining press _____ ----------- ------------------------------ 42
17. Powder die for rnulLiperforated grains_________________ __________ 42
18. Grain cutter (cover in place) ______________________ ·------------- 43
19. Grain cutter (cover removed)____________________________________ 43
20. SorLing table ___ __ _ ____ _ _ _________ ------------- ---------- 44
21. Mark 2 oven, showing relay_______________ _____________ 63
m
IV TABLE OF CONTENTS
Figure Page
22. Mark 2 oven, showing rheostat__________________________________ 64
23. Mark 2 oven, interior___________________________________________ 65
24. Operations for making 4-inch, 50 caliber cartridge ca -·es__ _ _ _ __ _ __ _ _ _ 101
25. !-pounder ammunition boxes, Marks 2 and 3 _____ " _ _ _ _ _ _ __ __ _ _ _ _ _ _ 106
26. 3"/ 23 ammunition boxes, Mark 4 and Mark 4, Mod L _ _ _ _ _ _ _ __ __ __ 106
27. 4"/50 cartridge tank, Mark 2 ______________ ·--------------------- 107
28. 4"/50 cartridge boxes, Mark 3 s.nd Mark 3, Mod!_________________ 107
29. 5-inch powder tanks ______________________ ---------------------- 108
30. 12-inch powder tanks ___ ·--------------------------------------- 108
31. 14-inch powder tanks _________________ -------------------------- 108
32. 16-inch powder tanks ______________________ ----------------- __ 108
33. Frankford Arsenal 21-second combination fuze_____________________ 111
34. Stacked (left) and unstacked powder charges___________________ __ 121
35. Cross section of a V. B. rifle grenade______ _________ __ __ _____ 129
36. Cross section of a hand grenade_______ -----------.------------- 132
37. 3- and 6-pounder line-throwing projectiles_________________________ 136
TABLE OF PLATES
Plate
1. Diagrammatic arrangement of nitrating process____________________ 33
2. Surveillance oven, Mark 2, Mod 2, general arrangement _______ Facing 60
3. Surveillance oven, Mark 2, Mod 2, wiring diagrams___________ Facing 60
4. Surveillance oven, Mark 2, Mod 2, relay, general arrangement__ Facing 60
5. Surveillance oven, Mark 2, Mod 2, method of installing Boyce
moto meter____________________________________________ Facing 60
6. Surveillance oven, Mark 2, Mod 2, heat unit details ___________ Facing 60
7. Surveillance oven, Mark 2, Mod 3, general arrangement ________ Facing 60
8. Surveillance oven, Mark 2, Mod 3, wiring diagram____________ Facing 60
9. Surveillance oven, Mark 2, Mods 4 and 7, general arrangement __ Facing 60
10. Surveillance oven, Ma.rk 2, Mods 4 and 7, wiring diagram______ Facing 60
11. Surveillance oven, Mark 2, Mod 5, general arrangement and
wiring diagram ___________________________________________ ·--_ 60
12. Surveillance oven, Mark 2, Mod 4, relay; front view___ _ _ _ _ _ 62
13. Surveillance oven, Mark 2, Mod 5, side elevation___________________ 63
14. 20-mm ammunition _______________________________________ Facing 104
15. 40-mm ammunition _______________________________________ Facing 104
16. 1.1-inch ammunition ______________________________________ Facing 104
17. !-pounder ammunition ____________________________________ Facing 104
18. 3-pounder ammunition ---------------------------------- Facing 104
19. 6-pounder ammunition ____________________________________ Facing 104
20. 3-inch (23 caliber) ammunition _____________________________ Facing 104
21. 3-inch (50 caliber) ammunition _____________________________ Facing 104
22. 4-inch (50 caliber) ammunition _____________________________ Facing 104
23. 5-inch (25 caliber) ammunition _____________________________ Facing 104
24. 5-inch (38 caliber) ammunition _____________________________ Facing 104
25. 6-inch (47 caliber) ammunition _____________________________ Facing 104
26. Primers_______________________________________________________ 115
27. Stacking machine, Naval Ammunition Depot, St. Juliens Creek, Va__ 120
28. Method of use of .45 caliber line-throwing gun _________________ --- 134
INSTRUCTIONS GOVERNING THE CARE, PRESERVATION, STOWAGE, INSPECTION
AND TEST OF AMM-UNITION FOR THE NAVAL SERVICE
1. This revision which supersedes Ordnance Pamphlet No. 4, of September, 1923, is pub
lished in accordance with article 74, Navy Regulations, 1920, and covers instructions governing
the care, preservation, stowage, inspection, and test of service explosives, and general informa
tion about ammunition. No attempt has been made to go deeply into the general subject of
ammunition materials, as the subject is too broad for general consumption. Personnel seeking
more detailed information should utilize standard works on explosives, consulting the list com
piled under the direction of the N aLional Research CounciL
2. There are certain repetitions herein of matter contained in the Bureau of Ordnance
Manual, but in most cases this pamphlet covers the subjects in greater det.ail than is appropriate
for the Bureau Manual,
3. This publication should be given a free circulation under its restricted status to the end
that all concerned with ammunition may have adequate information pertaining thereto.
4. In this revision the chapters ou Pyrotechnics, Interior Ballistics, Erosion, and Dispersion
have been omitted The first is thoroughly covered in Ordnance Pamphlet No. 725 of Angust
1937, and the remainder appear better suited to pamphlets on gun design or ballistics than to
an ammunition manuaL
5. The revision of Ordnance Pamphlet No. 5 which will follow this revision will constitute
Part I1 of the Naval Ammunition Manual, and will contain matter pertaining only to ammunition
depots, naval magazines, etc.
6. The inclusion in this pamphlet of matter pertaining to ordna.nee material which is obsolete
or obsolescent so far as the .Fleet is eoncerned, is dictated by the necessity for providing adequate
information as to material issued in time of war to converted merchantmen, patrol craft, auxil
iaries, and the like.
7. Shipments of explosives by freight or express must be packed and marked in accordance
with the Interstate Commerce Commission H.egulations for the Safe Transportation of Explo
sives, copies of which are on file at the various navy yards and stations, including naval ammuni
tion depots. When it becomes necessary for a vessel to ship ammunition by freight or express,
it is preferable to turn it in to an ammunition depot for proper packing, loading, and placarding,
if such turning in is practicable, otherwise to the supply officer of a navy yard or station. Ship
ment of explosives by mail is positively FORBIDDEN.
v

AMMUNITION
NAVAL AMMUNITION MANUAL
Part I-1943
Chapter I. GENERAL INSTRUCTIONS
1- 1. The iustmctious contained in this Ordnance Pamphlet, promulgated Instructions Cor
ashore and afloat.
primarily for the service afloat, shall be followed at aJl naval ammunition depots,
naval magazines, nnval torpedo stations, naval ordnance plants, naval miuc
depots, and other naval stations on shore, insofar a.s they are applicable.
1-2. The methods of caring for and handling ordnance material as set Instructions for ord
nance material.
forth in-
(a) United SLates Navy Regulations.
(b) Ordnance pamphlets.
(c) Ordnance manuals.
shall be closely followed.
1-3. Detailed instructions relative lo any particular class of ordnance will Detailed instruction!!.
be found in the following publications:
(a) Navy Regulations.
(b) Ordnance Pamphlets (OP's), Ordnance DaLa (OD's), and Ord-
nance Drawings.
(c) Ordna.ncc Manuals.
(d) Gunnery Instructions.
(e) Ship and Gun Drills.
(j) Landing Force Manual.
(g) Navy Department General Orders.
(h) Ordnance circular letters.
(i) War Department circulars or t.cchnical regulations issued through
the Bureau of Ordnance.
When in doubt as to the meaning of any regulation or instruction concerning
ordnance, an interpretation should be. requested from the Bureau of Ordnance.
1-4. Commanding officers shall have on file a complete and up-to-date f'ile of ordnance pub
lications.
set of ordnance publications covering all ordnance material and ammuntion on
1
2 AMMUNITION
board the vessels under their command. Ordnance pamphlets may be obtained
fmm the Bureau of Ordnance upon request, ascertaining the pamphlet number
from the index published as Pamphlet No. 0.
Handling of explo 1-5. The exercise of the utmost care and prudence in handling, inspecting,
sives.
testing, preparing, assembling, and transporting all kinds of ammunition and
ammunition details is enjoined upon all officers and other persons whose duties
require cognizance over or actual handling of explosives during any of the
above operations. Subordinates are liable to become careless and indifferent
when continually engaged in work with explosives and, as long as nothing
occurs, are inclined to d1ift gradually into a neglect of necessary precautions.
Nothing but constant vigilance on the part of officers and others in charge will
insure the constant observance by subordinates of the rules and regulations
which experience has taught.to be necessary. Safety precautions, rules and
regulations for handling explosives should be made the subject for frequent
instruction, and the necessity for strict compliance therewith should be so
firmly fixed on new men that they will invariably and subconsciously do the
proper thing thereafter. Attention should be especially invited to the fact
"
-i that in the earlier stages of the use of explosives the experience gained has been
at a costly price. No relaxation of any regulation should be tolerated, as this
tends to induce an idea that the rules are arbitrary.
Use of signs. 1-6. The use of placards and signs containing admonitory notices, serving
as a constant reminder of the safety precautions, is sometimes condemned as
having the effect of creating a fear of explosives, especially in new men. The
use of signs is probably not so vitally required aboard ship as in shore plants,
but their obvious advantages should not be overlooked.
Handling of ammu 1-7. Handling of ammunition shall be reduced to the minimum in order
nition.
to prevent the occurrence of leaky containers, damaged tanks and cartridge
cases, loosened projectiles, torn powder bags, etc., and in order to reduce the
chances of accidents. The number of men allowed in the vicinity of explosives
should, as far as practicable, depending on the requirements of the operation,
be reduced to the minimum for properly performing the work in hand. It
frequently happens that unnecessarily large working parties are assembled for
handling live ammunition. Every effort and known precaution is taken to
make ammunition safe in handling under all conditions, but this should not
presuppose that an accident may not happen, and, therefore, unnecessarily
subjecting the personnel to the effects of such is unwarranted.
Damage tocontainers. 1-8. Of equal importance to be considered in the handling of ammunition
is the question of damage to containers. A study of smokeless powder shows
how exposing it to the air affects its stability in a very injurious manner.
Powder tanks are so constructed that they will remain airtight as long as the
gaskets hold; hence, if care is observed in handling not to dent the body so as
to open the seams, or to loosen the top or bottom rings or covers, and on
periodic inspections to note that the gaskets are holding up, one may be assured
GENERAL INSTRUCTIONS 3
that the powder is properly protected from the atmosphere. In handling
powder tanks, dents are frequently caused by the use of cargo nets, by rolling
the tanks along decks and over obstructions, by allowing the bodies or rings
to strike projections when hoisting or lowering, or by dropping them. When
powder tanks are opened for inspection, the gaskets and general airtight con
dition of the tank shall be observed. It is impossible to give a standard method
of handling tanks, but, in general, they ~hall be hoisted and lowered with care,
carried along decks by hand, or transported by truck.
1-9. A vessel turned in her service allowance of ammunition to a depot Danger in damaged
containers.
for overhaul. While it was aboard the ship, the reports of surveillance tests
ashore gave 50 days and on board ship·about 60 days, showing that apparently
the powder was entirely satisfactory for continued use afloat for a number of
years. During the overhaul, a number of leaky tanks were discovered and the
tests on powder taken from them gave less than 6 days surveillance test. The
real danger to the safety of this ship and crew is apparent, but may be more
fully realized when it is considered that the action of a deteriorating powder is
progressive--that is, the presence of nitrous oxide fumes react to cause more
molecules to•break down. Carelessness on the part of the personnel resulted
in the unsatisfactory condition of these tanks. Many instances are on file in
the Bureau of Ordnance where sister ships have turned in their service allow
ances for ovqrhaul, one requiring practically no repairs and the other requiring
most extensive repairs and replacement of material. The investigation into
the poor condition of one ship's outfit disclosed the fact that the powder tanks
had been transferred from ship to lighter by dumping them down a chute.
The only explanation for such utter disregard of existing instructions can be
found in the failure of the personnel to appreciate the significance of their
carelessness.
1-10. Aside from the danger of leaky powder tanks, there arc other serious Damage to charges.
conditions which arise. The silk powder bag cloth is attacked by the nitrous
oxide fumes. This would soon impair th.e serviceability of the charges for
loading.. The rotting bag would burst, scattering powder grains with the
resulting danger and delay. Powder in leaky containers will not only give dif
ferent ballistic results from those determined on proof, but will give erratic
results, to the serious inconvenience of fire control. The seriousness of per
mitting ammunition to deteriorate so that it would not only be ineffective
but dangerous and erratic in battle should be obvious to every person who
participates in the teamwork which produces the correct answer in battle;
namely, "hits per gun per minute." Smokeless powder in leaky containers shall
be landed for replacement at the earliest practieable moment after discovery,
unless a surveillance test shows it to be in normal condition, and the container
can be repaired.
1-11. The greatest care shall be exercised in handling loaded and fuzed Handling projectiles.
projectiles. A projectile which has been dropped from a height exceeding 5 feet