Types of Percussion Primers

There are four different types of percussion primers and these are recognized by name as rBoxer, Berdan, Bloehm, and Battery Cup. These centerfire primers and the rimfire type are shown in Fig 2... 

Since the quantity of small arms ammo manufd and expended is extremely high, greater emphasis has been placed on an explanation of the primers used in these rounds. However, this in no way is intended to diminish the importance of additional types of percussion primers which find wide use in artillery ammo (Table 3)... 

Percussion primers are different from stab-type initiators in two ways first, they are not punctured by the firing pin, and second, they are not made as integral detonators in themselves. The two major mechanical types of percussion primers are the rimfire. Figure 23.6, and the centerfire. Figure 23.7. 

Although it is evident that initiators represent a broad spectrum of items and designs, both percussion and electric, the contents of this treatise will deal only with three selected types of percussion items ie, percussion primers, stab primers and/or detonators, and friction primers... 

In mechanical fuses, where percussion primers are required, it seems fairly obvious that space requirements impose limits on the size of spring mechanisms or other physical modes of causing firing pins to move. The result is that, for fuses and other applications of this type, it becomes necessary to use primers of greatly increased sensitivity (Refs 6 8). This condition is illustrated with the M29A1 primer which is required to fire with an applied energy of 16 inch-ounces. This increased sensitivity is achieved by the use of thinner primer cup metal of softer alloy. Sensitivity can be further enhanced by the use of more sensitive priming mixt (Refs 2,6 20)... 

Percussion primers used in current center-fire cartridges (See Ref 44, p C74-L) in US and NATO small arms are shown on Fig 31 is taken from TM 9-1305-200(1961), p 25 (Ref 42). Each of these primers consists of a small brass or gilding metal cup that contains a primer compn pellet. Present compns are mostly noncorrosive type, such as consist ing of LSt-LA. The older types contained usually MF, KCIOj Sb2Sj, with or w/o ground glass and a binder. A paper disk (foil), which serves... 

The above described primers are of percussion type, but there are also electric, combination electric percussion, friction and ignition primers... 

Anon, "Artillery Ammunition", Dept of the Army Technical Manual TM 9-1300-203 (1967), pp 1-10 to 1-11, Figs 1-5 1-6 (Explosive train) 1-39 (Fuze, definition) 1-39 to 1-44 (Primer, definition, classification and brief description of various types used in guns and howitzers) 2-88 to 2-89 Fig 2-57 2-129, Fig 2-85 (Electric percussion primer Mk 15 and Mod 2) 2-89,... 

Type 93 A/Tk (Antitank) and A/P (Antipersonnel) Land Mine, known as Tape Measure Mine, was a light metal cylinder 6% inches diam and 1% inches high, filled with 2-lbs of cast PA and Booster of pressed PA. It was activated by pressure on Percussion Primer, located on top of Mine (pp 202—03, Fig 152). Described in Ref 7>, p 183 as Land Mine Model 93 (1933)... 

Section 200 (Methods 201 to 212). Specification of Multiple Component Primer Compositions Fuze Powder Primer Mix, (JS Standard Primer Mix, New No 4 Primer Mix, MK V Primer Mix, No 70 Primer Mix, PA100 Primer Mix, NOL No 130 Primer Mix, M3 Ignition Cartridge Primer Mix, M29 Percussion Primer Priming Composition, Lead Starter Type RDX Booster Pellets and Tetryl Booster Pellets... 

Evaluation of several styphnate type primer compns- as possible substitutes for std chlorate-based compns in percussion primers). 

---