siarz019 Cartridge | ammunition | Britannica.com a Bvcon Cartridge AMMUNITION WRITTEN BY: The Eaiit See Article History rs of Encyclopaedia Britannica Cartridge, in weaponry, unit of small-arms ammunition, composed of a metal (usually brass) case, a propellant charge, a projectile or bullet, and a primer. The first cartridges, appearing in the second half of the 16th century, consisted merely of charges of powder wrapped in paper; the ball was loaded separately. During the next century, methods of including the ball with the powder were devised. In muzzle-loading a musket, the soldier bit off the end of the paper cartridge, poured a small amount of the powder into the firing pan, poured the rest down the barrel, and rammed the ball and paper down after it. The breech-loading rifle and various multishot weapons of the 19th century made possible loading the entire cartridge as a unit; many varieties were developed, using paper, linen, animal tissue, collodion, metal, rubber, and other materials. All required an external spark to ignite the propellant. In 1847 a Paris gunsmith, B. Houllier, patented the first cartridge, capable of being fired by the blow of the gun's hammer. In one type, a pin was driven into the cartridge by the hammer action; in the other, a primer charge of fulminate of mercury was exploded in the cartridge rim. Later improvements changed the point of impact from the rim to the centre of the cartridge, where a percussion cap was inserted, The cartridge with a percussion cap, or cup, centred on the base of the cartridge—centre-fire—predominated in all larger calibres, but rimfire cartridges remain popular in small-bore, low-powered ammunition, eg, 22 calibre. Smokeless nitrocellulose powder replaced black powder as the propellant in the late 19th century. Also in the 19th century, the round ball was replaced byt hitps:lwwn.bitannica.comitechnolagylcartrdge-ammuniion 18avazote Carige|armustion| Stamieacon a BQevce ven pan (if the ammunition bullets (or shot in shotguns). Cartridge cases are most commonly made o' brass, although steel is also widely used, and cases for shotgun pelle made of brass and cardboard. The cases of most military rifles and machine guns have. i f { complete rounds are usually called cartridges, and projectiles are called are Smith & Wesson strap and fired self-contained metallic cartridges—the original 22 rimfire—of Smith and Wesson’'s own design. The American Civil War made Smith & Wesson a leading revolver manufacturer. Its introduction in the 1870s of large-frame "break-top” revolvers "breaking" the revolver at a hinge in front of the trigger guard exposed the rear. Ammunition Ammunition, the projectiles and propelling charges used in small arms, artillery, and other guns. Ammunition size is usually expressed in terms of calibre, which is the diameter of the projectile as measured in millimetres or inches. In general, projectiles less than 20 mm or 60 inch in diameter. Weapon Weapon, an instrument used in combat for the purpose of killing, injuring, or defeating an enemy. A wea| sword. It may also be a missile weapon, operated by muscl and bow and arrow), Don may be a shock weapon, held in the hands, such as the club, mace, o} in, sling, = power (as with the jal HISTORY AT ‘“W vour FINGERTIPS hitps:wwnbtannica.comitechnologylcartidge-ammunitionsiarz019 Cartridge | ammunition | Britannica.com a Bvcon MORE ABOUT Cartridge 3 REFERENCES FOUND IN BRITANNICA ARTICLES Assorted References + development of ammunition + (In ammunition) + history of Smith & Wesson + (In Smith Bamp: Wesson} + use in small arms I arm: Th Corrections? Updates? Help us improve this article! Contact our editors with your feedback. SS Cartridge hitps:lwwn.bitannica.comitechnolagylcartrdge-ammuniion ais