LESSON 6

Question 1

Define primer

Answer 1

• Most sensitive part of an Ammunition

• It is the portion of the cartridge which consists of a brass or gilding cup. The cup contains a highly sensitive mixture of chemical compound, which when struck by the firing pin would detonate or ignite. Such an action is called “percussion”.

Question 2

He is credited with being the first to conceive the idea of using detonating compounds for igniting powder charges in small arms by “percussion and in 1807 he obtained a patent for this idea

Answer 2

Alexander John Forsyth

Question 3

He was a Scotch Presbyrterian minister but he was also a chemist, a hunter and a well-known authority on firearms. He spent most of his time and attention to the development of improving the means of ignition

Answer 3

Alexander John Forsyth

Question 4

Forsyth’s first successful priming mixture composition:

Answer 4

1. Potassium Chlorate
2. Charcoal
3. sulfur in powdered form

Question 5

Identify the different parts of the primer

Answer 5

1. Primer cup
2. Anvil
3. Disc
4. Priming mixture or primer compound
5. Flash Hole

Question 6

It is the container of the priming mixture or primer compound. This is made of brass, gilding metal or copper.

Answer 6

Primer Cup

Question 7

The portion of the primer which provides solid support and absorbs the blow of the firing pin causing friction that would initiates ignition.

Answer 7

Anvil

Question 8

A thin paper or foil which is pressed over the priming mixture in order to protect it from moisture attack

Answer 8

Disc

Question 9

The highly sensitive chemical compound which ignites by the mechanical blow of the firing pin. It is called as percussion powder.

Answer 9

Priming mixture

Question 10

TYPES OF MODERN CENTER FIRE PRIMERS

Answer 10

1. Boxer- 1 flash hole
2. Berdan- 2 flash holes
3. Battery Cup - For modern shotshells;
   1 flash hole

Question 11

Features of a Battery Cup:

Answer 11

• covers the primer cup for solid support
• Longer than Boxer and Bendan
• common on rifles, shotguns
• size of anvil is larger than Berdan / Boxer

Question 12

TWO MAIN CLASSES OF PRIMING MIXTURE

Answer 12

1. CORROSIVE PRIMING MIXTURE / COMPOUND
   - LEAVES LARGE AMOUNT OF RESIDUE (WILL DESTROY THE FIREARM)
   - FIREARM SHOULD BE CLEANED AFTER USE
2. NON CORROSIVE COMPOUND
   - USED IN MODERN FIREARMS
   - CLEAN TO USE