Part 5

=JUDSON POWDER.=--A mild blasting explosive used in America. It is a sort of crude gunpowder coated with nitroglycerine to increase the violence of the explosion. The percentage of nitroglycerine may vary from 5 to 20, but is generally near the lower limit. Judson Powder R.R.P. has the composition--

Nitroglycerine 5 Nitroglycerine 5 Sodium nitrate 64 or Sulphur, coal and resin 35 Sulphur 16 Sodium nitrate 60 Cannel coal 15

The sodium nitrate is mixed with the combustibles and the mixture is heated beyond the melting-point of the sulphur and resin. The slightly porous mass thus formed is then coated with nitroglycerine. The explosive is fired with a priming cartridge of dynamite. The following four grades are made by the Du Pont Co.--

FFF 20 % nitroglycerine FF 15 ” F 10 ” RRP 5 ”

=KANITE A= is an American coal-mine explosive on the Permissible List. It is an ammonium nitrate explosive.

=KARBONIT.= See =CARBONITE=.

=KAUSOLIT.=--An ammonium perchlorate explosive, introduced about 1915 by the Stockholm Superphosphaten-fabriks A.-b.

=KENT POWDER= was a coal-mine explosive made by the Cotton Powder Co. It was of the Carbonite type and was on the Permitted List. It is now no longer “permitted.”

_Date of Permit_ 10-2-14

Nitroglycerine 24 Potassium nitrate 32·5 Wood meal 33·5 Ammonium oxalate 10

Limit charge over 32 oz.

Power (swing of ballistic pendulum) 2·01”

=KENTITE= is a coal-mine explosive made by British Westfalite, Ltd. It was on the old Permitted List and also passed the Rotherham Test, and so is still “permitted”--

Ammonium nitrate 34 Potassium nitrate 34 Trinitro-toluene 17 Ammonium chloride 15

Limit charge 18 oz. Power (swing of ballistic pendulum) 2·64”

=KIESELBACHER CHLORATSPRENGSTOFF.= See =MIEDZIANKIT=.

=KINETIT.=--A German explosive made by gelatinising nitro-cellulose with nitro-benzene, and incorporating it with potassium nitrate and chlorate. It is somewhat sensitive to blows, etc. Early samples contained also antimony sulphide which rendered them decidedly dangerous.

=KIWIT.=--A German chlorate explosive introduced during the War. It contains not more than 77 per cent. of sodium or potassium chlorate, carbon carriers such as paraffin, naphthalene, vaseline, meal or oil, also not more than 15 per cent. of liquid trinitro-toluene, and may contain dinitro-toluene, dinitro-naphthalene, sodium chloride and not more than 4 per cent. of guncotton.

=KOHLENKARBONIT.= See =CARBONITE=.

=KOLAX.=--A coal-mine explosive of the Carbonite type formerly on the Permitted List, made by Curtis’s and Harvey--

Nitroglycerine 25 Potassium nitrate 26 Barium nitrate 5 Wood meal 34 Starch 10

=SUPER-KOLAX= was a modification of this to meet the requirements of the Rotherham Test--

No. 2. _Date of Permit_ 1-9-13 7-4-14 Nitroglycerine 25·5 28·5 Collodion cotton -- 1 Potassium nitrate 25·5 16·5 Barium nitrate 5 5 Wood meal 29·5 30·5 Starch 7·5 9 Ammonium oxalate 7 9·5

Limit charge 30 over 32 oz. Power (swing of ballistic pendulum) 2·10 2·21”

The permits of both have been repealed.

=KORONIT=, also known as =FAVORIT=, is a German chlorate blasting explosive introduced during the War. See also Coronite.

Gesteins-Koronit (or -Favorit) contains not more than 85 per cent. of potassium or sodium chlorate, not more than 15 per cent. of nitro-bodies (but no trinitro-compounds), paraffin or fatty oils, naphthalene, vegetable meal, powdered coal, inert substances, and not more than 4 per cent. of blasting gelatine.

Kohlen-Koronit (or -Favorit) contains not more than 68 per cent. of potassium or sodium chlorate, aromatic hydrocarbons and nitro-hydrocarbons (but not more than 12 per cent. of aromatic nitro-bodies and no trinitro-compounds), sodium chloride or similar salts, paraffin or fatty oils, vegetable meal or other organic substance; not more than 4 per cent. of blasting gelatine and not more than 4 per cent. of powdered coal.

=PERKORONIT= is similar to Koronit except that it contains potassium or sodium perchlorate instead of chlorate. Part of the perchlorate may be replaced by nitrate.

=*K.S.=, =K.S.G.=--Kynoch’s Smokeless Powder. It is a fibrous bulk powder for shot-guns made by Kynochs, Ltd. The following analyses were given in “Arms and Explosives,” 1917, p. 78---

Kynoch’s Smokeless. K.S. K.S.G.

_Date of Introduction_ 1901 1913 1912 _Class_ 42-grain 42-grain 33-grain

Nitrocellulose, insoluble 49·5 40·4 41·5 ” soluble 5·5 27·0 36·5 Metallic nitrates 25·0 28·0 12·0 Nitro-compound 19·0 -- 5·0 Vaseline -- 3·0 3·0 Moisture 1·0 1·6 2·0

=KYNARKITE= is a coal-mine explosive of the Carbonite type made by Kynoch, Ltd. It is no longer on the Permitted List--

No. 2. _Date of Permit_ 1-9-13 15-1-15 Nitroglycerine 25 26 Potassium nitrate 28 29·5 Barium nitrate 3 -- Dinitro-toluene -- 2·5 Wood meal 39 34 Ammonium oxalate 5 8

Limit charge 20 28 oz. Power (swing of ballistic pendulum) 2·21 2·06”

=KYNITE= was a coal-mine explosive on the old Permitted List, but has been superseded by Kynarkite--

Kynite Kynite. Condensed.

Nitroglycerine 26 25 Barium nitrate 33 33·5 Wood meal 40·7 6·5 Starch -- 34·7 Calcium carbonate 0·3 0·3

=*LAFFLIN AND RAND W.A.= was a tubular smokeless powder tried in America for small arms. It consisted of--

Guncotton 67·25 Nitroglycerine 30 Metallic salts 2·75

gelatinised by means of 40 parts of acetone. A gelatinised dense shot-gun powder of similar composition was also made.

=L.C. PULVER= is a German Cheddite.

Gesteins-=LEONIT= is a German perchlorate explosive for blasting rock--

Alkali perchlorate about 60% Ammonium nitrate 10 Nitro-compounds 15 Meal 10 Blasting gelatine 4

It is practically the same as Permonit A.

Neu-=LEONIT= is a modification of this for use in coal

I. II. Potassium perchlorate 35 35 Ammonium nitrate 20 10 Sodium nitrate -- 3 Trinitro-toluene 5} 11 Dinitro-toluene 5} Wood meal 3 2 Vegetable meal 4 5 Blasting gelatine 4 4 Sodium chloride 24 30

It is practically the same as Wetter-Persalit.

=LIGDYN= is a nitroglycerine explosive similar to American dynamite made in South Africa. 40 per cent. Ligdyn consists of--

Nitroglycerine 40 Sodium nitrate 45 Wood meal 13 Wheat flour 2

=*LIGHTNING.=--A 33-grain smokeless shot-gun powder made by the Schultze Gunpowder Co. See Schultze Powder.

=LIGNOSIT= is a German blasting explosive containing a considerable percentage of ammonium nitrate. Lignosit I. contains also aromatic nitro-compounds, of which not more than 15 per cent. must be trinitro-compounds or wood meal, and not more than 6 per cent. of potassium nitrate, not more than I per cent. of collodion cotton and bauxite or salts, such as sodium chloride or carbonate.

Lignosit II. may contain up to 10 per cent. of collodion cotton, but no wood meal or nitro-compounds. It is somewhat sensitive.

Lignosit III. differs from I. in that it may contain up to 4 per cent. of blasting gelatine and contains no bauxite.

The object of adding the neutral salts is evidently to make the explosive safer in coal mines. When intended for this purpose it is called Wetter-Lignosit I. or III.

Lignosit IV. consists of ammonium nitrate, not more than 13 per cent. of trinitro-toluene, not more than 13 per cent. of aluminium powder, and wood meal.

=LITHOFRACTEUR= is a name that has been given to more than one explosive. One introduced about 1873 by Krebs and Co. of Deutz, near Cologne, consisted of nitroglycerine absorbed in kieselguhr mixed with nitrates, charcoal or coal and sulphur. Some of it was imported into England at one time.

=LOEWENPULVER= or Castroper Sprengpulver is a German blasting powder consisting of a compressed or granulated mixture of sodium nitrate, manganese dioxide, sulphur and carbonaceous substances such as briquette powder or coal. It may also contain potassium nitrate, wood meal or tar.

=LOMITE NO. 1= is an American coal-mine explosive on the Permissible List. It is a low-grade dynamite containing hydrated salts.

=LOWINITE NO. 2-B= is an American coal-mine explosive on the Permissible List. It is an ammonium nitrate explosive.

=LUXIT I.= is a German blasting explosive consisting of ammonium nitrate, not more than 17 per cent. of trinitro-toluene, and not more than 5 per cent. of wood meal.

=LYDDITE.=--A high explosive used in the British Services for filling shell. It consists simply of picric acid, which is melted under proper precautions and poured into the shell.

*Poudre =M= is a shot-gun powder made by the French Government, and is the one that is most used in France. Its composition is--

Nitrocotton 71 Barium nitrate 20 Potassium nitrate 5 Camphor. 3 Binding material 1

The nitrocotton has a solubility of only 15 or 20 per cent., and is partially gelatinised with ether-alcohol aided by the camphor. It is granulated under edge runners, granulated and drummed.

=MACARIT.=--A Belgian high explosive for filling shell--

Trinitro-toluene 30 Lead nitrate 70

It has a high density and is not deliquescent. For equal weights its power is less than that of trinitro-toluene or picric acid, but for equal volumes it is somewhat greater.

=MARKANIT.= See =SILESIA=.

=MARSIT.=--A sort of Oxyliquit. Liquid oxygen is passed into a linen bag containing soot.

=M.B. POWDER= (Modernised Black) is a black powder mixture in which part of the potassium nitrate has been replaced by potassium or ammonium perchlorate, generally the potassium salt. It is manufactured at Bonnybridge, Stirling, at the works originally erected for making Mitchellite. During manufacture the composition is heated in steam boilers. (See “Arms and Explosives,” 1911, p. 7.)

=M.D.= See =CORDITE=.

=MEGANIT= is a Hungarian nitroglycerine explosive similar to American dynamite, except that it contains a small percentage of nitrated vegetable ivory.

=MELANITE.=--A Belgian blasting explosive consisting of--

Nitroglycerine 78 Collodion cotton 4 Sodium nitrate 18

It contains, therefore, a considerable excess of oxygen.

=MÉLINITE= is a high explosive used by the French for filling shell and other military purposes. It consists essentially of picric acid, to which other substances are sometimes added. Paraffin wax has been added to diminish the sensitiveness. Mélinite D is simply picric acid, but Mélinite O contains also a little Crésilite 2 (q. v.).

=MELLING POWDER= was a coal-mine explosive on the Permitted List, made by the Cotton Powder Co. The permit has been repealed.

_Date of Permit_ 1-9-13

Nitroglycerine 5 Ammonium nitrate 53·5 Sodium nitrate 12 Trinitro-toluene 6 Wood meal 4·5 Ammonium oxalate 19

Limit charge 12 oz. Power (swing of ballistic pendulum) 2·62”

=MERCURIT= is a blasting explosive that has been introduced recently in Germany. It consists of 88 per cent. of potassium chlorate and 12 per cent. of high boiling neutral tar oil. In Mercurit II. up to 20 per cent. of the chlorate may be replaced by perchlorate.

=MERSEY POWDER= was a coal-mine explosive on the Permitted List, made by the Cotton Powder Co. The permit has been repealed.

_Date of Permit_ 3-7-15

Nitroglycerine 5·5 Ammonium nitrate 51 Sodium nitrate 11 Trinitro-toluene 6 Wood meal 3·5 Ammonium chloride 23

Limit charge 18 oz. Power (swing of ballistic pendulum) 2·60”

=METEOR AXXO= is an American coal-mine explosive on the Permissible List. It is a low-grade dynamite containing a hydrated salt.

=MIEDZIANKIT= (also called Egelit or Kieselbacher Chloratsprengstoff) is a German chlorate explosive of the Sprengel class. It consists of porous potassium chlorate impregnated with not more than 10 per cent. of kerosene, having a flash point not below 30° C. It has met with some unfavourable reports, as it is found that results are not uniform unless the impregnation be carried out in special factories, the original idea having been that it was to be done shortly before use.

During the War a modification of the explosive was introduced for use in coal mines. This contains up to 30 per cent. of sodium chloride.

=MINERITE.=--A coal-mine explosive made by the Forcite Co. of Baelen Wezel in Belgium, identical in composition with Kohlen-carbonite and Colinite antigrisouteuse.

=MINER’S FRIEND, NOS. 1 to 6.= American coal-mine explosives on the Permissible List. They are ammonium nitrate explosives.

=MINITE.=--A coal-mine explosive of the Grisounite type which was on the old Permitted List--

Ammonium nitrate 89 Trinitro-toluene 10 Ammonium oxalate 1

There was also an explosive of the Carbonite type of this name made at Arendonck in Belgium--

Nitroglycerine 25 Potassium nitrate 35 Flour 39·5 Soda 0·5

Charge limite 750 g.

=MIN-ITE.=--American coal-mine explosive on the Permissible List. Brands A, A-2, B, and B-2 are nitroglycerine explosives, whereas Nos. 5-D and 6-D are ammonium nitrate mixtures.

=MINOLITE.=--A Belgian blasting explosive, which is also approved for transport over the German railways. It contains ammonium nitrate, dinitro- or trinitro-naphthalene with other substances added in some cases. A variety for use in coal mines is called Minolite antigrisouteuse.

Minolite Minolite antigrisouteuse. nouvelle.

Ammonium nitrate 72 87 Sodium nitrate 23 3 Trinitro-toluene 3 -- Trinitro-naphthalene 2 5 Dinitro-naphthalene -- 3 Quebracho -- 2

Charge limite 400 g.

There was also a variety containing lead nitrate, but this could not be used in mines because of the poisonous smoke it evolved.

=*MISCHPULVER= is a name given in German to ungelatinised smokeless nitro-cellulose powders.

=MITCHELLITE= was an explosive that was formerly licensed for manufacture in Great Britain, and was made at Bonnybridge, Stirling, but the factory and the licence were transferred to the M.B. Powder Co. in 1910. It was apparently a chlorate or perchlorate explosive. It is said to be manufactured at Monticello, Indiana, U.S.A.

=*MODDITE.=--A sporting rifle powder made by Eley Bros. Analysis of a sample showed--

Nitroglycerine 38·7 Nitrocellulose 56·8 Mineral jelly 4·3 Volatile matter 0·2

Of the nitrocellulose about one-third was soluble in ether-alcohol. It was made in the form of strip.

=MONACHIT= is a German blasting explosive which was known at one time as Vigorit. It is distinguished by containing nitro-compounds derived from naphtha, mostly nitro-xylenes and nitro-mesitylenes.

Monachit I. contains ammonium nitrate, not more than 15 per cent. of nitro-compounds, of which not more than 60 per cent. must be trinitro-bodies, also vegetable meal and potassium nitrate.

Monachit II. contains in addition not more than 1 per cent. of collodion cotton, not more than 1 per cent. of charcoal, also hydrocarbons and ammonium oxalate or other salts to act as cooling agents, and render the explosive suitable for use in coal mines, _e. g._--

Ammonium nitrate 81 64 Potassium nitrate 5 3 Nitro-compounds 13 14 Collodion cotton -- 1 Flour 1 -- Charcoal -- 1 Potassium chloride -- 17

The collodion cotton is to gelatinise the nitro-compounds when they are liquid.

=MONARKITE= is a coal-mine explosive made by Kynoch, Ltd., and is on the Permitted List--

_Date of Permit_ 10-2-14 _Revised_ 20-9-19

Ammonium nitrate 49[1] Sodium nitrate 9 Nitroglycerine 11·5 Collodion cotton 0·3 Starch 3·5 Mineral jelly 2 Sodium chloride 24·7

Limit charge 18 oz. Power (swing of ballistic pendulum) 2·30”

[1] Including not more than 2 per cent. of magnesium carbonate.

=MONOBEL= is a coal-mine explosive made by Nobel’s Explosives Co. There are three formulæ which have passed the Rotherham Test, but A1 is no longer on the Permitted List--

Monobel A1 A2 No. 1. Monobel. Monobel. _Date of Permit_ 10-2-14 13-5-14 15-1-15

Ammonium nitrate 68 60 59 Nitroglycerine 8·5 10 10 Wood meal 8·5 10 10 Sodium chloride 15 -- -- Potassium chloride -- 20 20 Magnesium carbonate -- -- 1

Limit charge 10 28 22 oz. Power (swing of ballistic pendulum) 2·81 2·78 2·44”

There is also Quarry Monobel which is not permitted for use in dangerous coal mines, and presumably contains no alkali chloride.

See also Viking Powder and Victor Powder.

=MONOBEL, NOS. 1= to =7= are on the American Permissible List. Of these, Nos. 4 and 5 are low-freezing explosives, containing a small percentage of nitro-toluene or similar substance; Nos. 3 and 5 are less violent than the others.

=MONOBEL POWDER= was the predecessor of the above and was on the old Permitted List. It is now no longer “permitted.”

Ammonium nitrate 80 Nitroglycerine 10 Wood meal 10

=*MULLERITE.=--A shot-gun powder made by the Muller Co. in Belgium. It is a gelatinised dense powder in the form of green leaflets, and the charge for a 12-bore cartridge was 33 grains. It contains no inorganic salts.

=EXPLOSIFS N.= See Favier Explosives.

=NAPHTHALIT.=--A German chlorate explosive introduced during the War. It contains not more than 80 per cent. of potassium chlorate, and aromatic hydrocarbons, such as naphthalene, and not more than 12 per cent. of nitro-hydrocarbons, but no trinitro-compounds; also paraffins, fatty oils, flour or other organic substance. It may contain also alkali chlorides, and not more than 4 per cent. of blasting gelatine.

The prefixes Gesteins- and Wetter- are applied according as the explosive is intended for rock or coal mines.

Grisou-=NAPHTALITE=. See =FAVIER= Explosives.

=NATIONALITE.=--A coal-mine explosive of the Grisounite class made by the National Explosives Co., Ltd. The composition, which was on the old Permitted List, was--

Ammonium nitrate 92 Di- and Trinitro-toluene 8

But to pass the Rotherham Test it was necessary to add alkali chlorides. There were two formulæ formerly on the Permitted List--

No. 1. No. 2. _Date of Permit_ 22-6-14 28-1-15 Ammonium nitrate 65·5 64 Trinitro-toluene 15 15 Sodium chloride 19·5 -- Potassium chloride -- 21

Limit charge 12 20 oz. Power (swing of ballistic pendulum) 2·92 2·63”

The permits have been repealed.

=*N.C.T.= is the name given in the British service to the Nitro-Cellulose Tubular smokeless powder, made in the same way as the American service powder. It consists of nitro-cellulose completely soluble in ether-alcohol, but of comparatively high nitration. It is gelatinised with ether-alcohol and pressed into cords with either one or seven perforations running down them length-ways. These are cut into short cylinders and dried. The powder contains a little diphenylamine as a stabiliser.

=N.E.= See New Explosives Company’s Smokeless Powder.

=NEGRO POWDER.=--A coal-mine explosive of the Grisounite class made by Roburite and Ammonal, Ltd. The composition, which was on the old Permitted List, was--

Ammonium nitrate 88 Trinitro-toluene 10 Graphite 2 and a small quantity of colouring matter.

To enable it to pass the Rotherham Test, sodium chloride has been added, and Negro Powder No. 2 is now on the Permitted List--

_Date of Permit_ 25-11-13 Ammonium nitrate 57 Trinitro-toluene 15 Graphite 0·7 Sodium chloride 27·3 Colouring matter small quantity Limit charge 20 oz. Power (swing of ballistic pendulum) 2·21”

=NEONAL.=--A coal-mine explosive made by the New Explosives Company. Two formulæ were at one time on the Permitted List--

No. 1. _Date of Permit_ 1-9-13 22-6-14

Nitroglycerine 21 40 Collodion cotton 1 2 Di- and Trinitro-toluene 0·2 -- Wood meal 15·8 5 Potassium perchlorate 37 14 Ammonium oxalate 25 39 Limit charge 16 30 oz. Power (swing of ballistic pendulum) 2·56 2·51”

Both have now been repealed.

=*NEONITE.=--A 30-grain bulk gelatinised smokeless shot-gun powder introduced by the New Explosives Co. in 1907. According to an analysis given in “Arms and Explosives,” 1917, p. 76, its composition is--

Nitrocellulose, insoluble 73·0 ” soluble 9·0 Metallic nitrates 10·5 Vaseline 5·9 Moisture 1·6

Neonites are also made for various types of rifled small arms, including military rifles, cadet rifles, revolvers and rim-fire rifles. These are all nitrocellulose powders with or without moderants.

=*NEW EXPLOSIVES COMPANY’S SMOKELESS POWDER= or =N.E.=--A 36-grain fibrous bulk powder for shot-guns introduced in 1912. According to an analysis given in “Arms and Explosives,” 1917, p. 76, its composition is--

Nitrocellulose, insoluble 50·0 ” soluble 25·8 Metallic nitrates 12·0 Nitro-hydrocarbons 7·0 Vaseline 3·5 Moisture 1·7

=NEW FORTEX.= See =FORTEX=.

=NITRALITE.= See =DENSITE=.

=NITRO-DENSITE.=--A coal-mine explosive made by Kynoch, Ltd. It was of the Carbonite type, and was at one time on the Permitted List--

_Date of Permit_ 1-9-13 Nitroglycerine 18 Barium nitrate 25 Wood meal 5·5 Starch 28·5 French chalk 23