A unitary cartridge is an artillery shot with one peculiarity: in it a sleeve combines a component for ignition (capsule), the charge of gunpowder itself and a bullet. There is a second definition of such a cartridge - this is the ammunition of small-caliber guns (less than 7.6 cm) and small arms. It charges in one go.
History
The unitary cartridge got its name in the 19th century. It was distinguished from previous versions of cartridges by combining in the sleeve all the important components for the implementation of the shot.
Designated cartridges arose in the first half of the XIX century. The first unitary cartridges were presented by the famous German master Nikolai Dreise in 1827. But his models did not make the proper impression.
In 1853, his colleague from France, Casimir Lefoche, invented a cartridge model with a stud and a metal sleeve. Its device is such that the end of the pin placed in front of the shock kit of the capsule comes out through a hole in the side of the sleeve. And when the drum turned, the trigger attack took the capsule.
The unitary cartridge allowed to slightly increase the dynamics of rate of fire. But an important event for the development of this characteristic occurred in 1818. Then the English master Joseph Ett created a capsule.
This is a copper cap into which the incendiary mixture is placed. He was separately strung on a firetube. And during a shot it was destroyed by a hammer blow. Also involved and paper caps.
Draise and Lefoshe
Draise's invention came in 1827. The designer had such a manufacturing scheme:
- The paper sleeve was filled with gunpowder.
- An integral cylinder was inserted into it. At its base, a percussion mechanism was imprinted from below. A recess was made in the upper base, which in shape corresponded to the pool.
In 1853, Lefoche improved the model - replaced a paper sleeve with a metal one. And such a unitary cartridge consists of:
- bullets;
- gunpowder charge;
- sleeves;
- capsules.
In the analysis, a picture is obtained as shown in the photo.
When the trigger came down, a special needle pierced the charge and seal of the shock group. A print ignited, and then a shot followed. At this moment, a cylinder filled with powder gases entered the threaded components of the barrel, squeezed a bullet. And she was spinning on the cuts.
A unitary cartridge with a metal sleeve was created with two main tasks:
- Seriously increase the rate of fire.
- Block powder gases during the shot.
This sleeve increased and adjacent to the walls of the store and the front shear of the shutter. So the gases could no longer escape through the shutter. And after the shot, the sleeve took the initial parameters. Therefore, it could be easily removed from the barrel.
According to these principles, the cartridges of the Lefoche version are divided into two classifications.
Classifications of metal unitary cartridges
There are only two of them:
- Models with seamless sleeves.
- Compound models.
In seamless cartridges of unitary cartridges, the bottom and walls on the sides are a single whole. To create it, sheet brass is used with alternate hoods.
For the manufacture of composite versions, a thin sheet of brass is used. It folds at least 1-2 turns. The separate bottom is firmly attached to the walls on the sides.
During the shot, the sleeve expands. Its extreme sides tightly touch the chamber. It is easy to remove the sleeve after the shot, even if the clearance is significant.
Seamless variations work without failures only with a modest gap - a maximum of half a point.
When the sleeve acquires the proper shape, its inner walls are varnished. So the metal is protected from oxidation. Then a capsule is placed in the bottom.
Cartridge categories by position of the strike complex
Unitary cartridges according to this criterion are divided into the following groups:
- With ring fire. The shock complex is compressed inside the sleeve over the entire diameter of its bottom.
- With central fire. The complex is locked in a capsule and placed in the middle of the bottom.
All composite versions of the cartridges belong to the second group. In the first group, they would simply burst and excessive gas pressure.
Famous models from the first category are:
- 4.2-line model for the Berdan rifle;
- 6-line version for Krnka rifles.
The Boxer model has gained immense popularity among component modifications.
Revolver Lefoshe
When a unitary cartridge appeared, its use in revolvers was not provided. The main purpose was a long-barreled weapon. But since the rate of revolvers needed to be developed, the adaptation of unitary models for them is associated with the appearance of a metal sleeve.
And here a gunsmith from France Casemir Lefoche distinguished himself. First, he developed a unitary cartridge suitable for revolvers, and then the optimal weapon for them. And the first revolver under a unitary cartridge looked like in the photo.
When the trigger is pulled, the trigger hits the top end of the pin. She directs momentum to the capsule. It explodes. Gunpowder lights up. The resulting gases displace the bullet from the sleeve. Thanks to them, the bullet accelerates greatly, passing its way.
Another feature of the Lefoshe revolver is associated with the introduction of double-trigger technology. This made it possible to shoot from a weapon even after a manual action on the trigger and with a simple trigger pull.
Gradually, a revolver with such a system had to be abandoned for the following reasons:
- The liner pin was always on alert. She was often accidentally hit, and the weapon fired spontaneously.
- In rare cases, gases from gunpowder hit the person shooting.
- Sleeves expanded greatly. They were difficult to retrieve.
Further evolution of unitary ammunition revolvers
After the hairpin technology, revolvers needed to be modernized. And in 1878 the Belgian master Emil Nagan managed to do this.
He created a revolver working with unitary models. They involved smoke powder. There was a capsule on the bottom of the sleeve. It was destroyed briskly.
In subsequent years, weapons were upgraded many times. The following is a list of upgrades and model examples:
- 1886. Version for cartridges. The kind of gunpowder in them is smokeless. Caliber - 7.5 mm. This is a simpler and more reliable model with improved accuracy of fire.
- 1892 Model that blocks the breakthrough of gases. The kind of gunpowder is the same. During the shot, the drum chamber went to the barrel. And thanks to the cartridge, the obturation increased.
- 1895. Modification in which many design ideas were realized. Its author, Leon Nagan, is Emil’s brother and soul mate.
Features of the 1895 model
The Nagan of 1895 had such features:
- One-piece frame.
- Self-cocking mechanism.
- Seven-shot drum.
- Reinforced obturation.
- Ramrod. He passed through the middle axis of the drum. With it, they cleaned their weapons and removed the cartridges.
The cartridges were removed according to the following scheme:
- The ramrod was placed in a holder fixed by hinges on the barrel.
- He was taken out of the drum axis, cranked on the holder. He fell into place opposite the drum chamber.
- After the steps down, the door opened. She blocked the right side of the rear drum end. Because of what was the opening of the sleeve bottom.
- The ramrod pressed on the end. And with its tip it was possible to drive out a sleeve or the whole cartridge.
Weapons can only be loaded according to the “one charge - one cartridge” scheme. There is an available camcorder for this task. It is visible when the drum cover opens.
This model was appreciated all over the world, not excluding Russia. Many noted its advantages:
- No glitches.
- Resistance to dust.
- High accuracy and power of battle.
