Cartridge

For cannon , is the powder charge and its case. The case is a cylindrical bag of flannel, wildbore, or serge, in which the charge is placed. The mouth is closed by tying with twine, forming the choke , which is always turned towards the muzzle when the gun is charged. For chambered pieces the mouth of the cartridge-bag is closed with a cartridge-block to give it a proper form. For some services the cartridge is attached to the projectile, in others it is carried separately. See Ordnance, Ammunition for . For small-arms , is the complete charge when the powder and lead are in the same case; if separate, it applies only to the powder and its case. A case containing powder only is called a blank cartridge . Cartridge-cases for military small-arms were formerly made of paper. In loading the gun the case was torn and the powder and ball put in separately. By using an inflammable paper the cartridge was afterwards used entire, especially in pistols and breech-loaders. Paper cases made very strong and reinforced by metallic heads are still much used in breech-loading shot-guns. Linen or cloth cases were also used at one period. The introduction of breech-loaders into the military service has led to the universal adoption of metallic cartridges . The cases are cylinders of copper or bra , closed at the breech end, and holding both powder and bullet, the latter being retained in the case by a slight crimp. A small quantity of fulminate in the base inflames the powder upon being struck by the firing-pin. England is behind all other nations in the use of the Boxer cartridge , the case of which is made by a wrapping of thin sheet-bra . In the manufacture of metallic cartridges the United States leads the world. Millions were supplied the Turks in their late war with Ru ia by the Winchester Arms Company, of New Haven, Conn. Metallic cartridge are reloading and single fire . Reloading cartridges have an external primer, which can be renewed for succe ive loadings. The single fire have the fulminate inside the base, and cannot readily be reloaded. The copper cartridges for the U. S. service rifle, made at Frank ford Arsenal, Pa., are of this latter cla .