Parts of the Cartridge Case

Cartridge Case-is the metallic or non-metallic tabular container usually of brass

(70% copper and 30% zinc) designed to unite the bullet, primer and the gunpowder
into one unit. It is also known as shell or casing.

Functions of the Cartridge Case

1. It locates the bullet properly relative to the bore of the firearm.

2. It is used to carry the means of ignition.

3. It provides gas seals at the breech against an unwanted escape of gas upon
firing.
4. Serves as waterproof container for the propellant or powder charge.

5. Acts as the insulator between the propellant and the hot walls of the chamber in a
rapid firing of firearms.

1.Base- the bottom portion of the cartridge case which contains the head stamp
marking on the base of the shell containing the caliber, manufacturer and in some
cases including the date, trade name, and batch number.

2. RIM-is the part of the cartridge designed to limit the forward movement of the
cartridge to chamber.
3.EXTRACTING GROOVES-is the circular groove near the rim of the shell designed
for automatic withdrawal of the case from the chamber.

PRIMER POCKET-is that part of the shell which provides the means for the primer to
be put in the central position. Its function is extended to: (a) hold the primer in place;
(b) to provide means to prevent the escape of gas; (c) to provide solid support for
primer anvil.

BODY-is the cylindrical part of the shell which house the gunpowder.
SHOULDER-that part of the cartridge case which support the neck of the cartridge
which is evident in a bottleneck type.

CANNELURE-is the cylindrical groove in the outer surface of the cartridge case
designed to secure the shell to the chamber as well as prevent bullet from being
push down to the powder charge. In some instance it is even being utilized for
identification.

NECK-is that part of the shell which is actually occupied by the bullet. This is
obvious in a bottleneck type of shell but not with the straight type.

CRIMP-is the cylindrical groove on the mouth of the shell designed for two
purposes: One (1) is to hold the bullet and prevent it from being pull out from the
shell and Two (2) to offers resistance to the bullet out of the neck to ensure burning
of the gun powder.
VENT OR FLASH HOLE-is the hole at the bottom of the primer pocket as the
passage way for the priming mixture to impart an ignition to the propellant charge.

PRIMER- (also called CAP) is the ignition system of the cartridge used in a center
fire type, containing a highly sensitive chemical compound that would easily ignite
or bursts into flame when struck by the firing pin. It may either be Berdan or Boxer
type. It is also known as the percussion cup.

Berdan- Its anvil forms part of the cartridge case and a number of flasholes to
serve as the passage of ignition usually two (2).
 designed in 1860s by Colonel Hiram S.Berdan of the U.S Army Ordinance
Department.
Boxer- In a Boxer primer, the anvil is a separate stirrup piece that sits inverted in the
primer cup providing sufficient resistance to the impact of the firing pin.

 developed by Col. Edward M. Boxer of the Royal Laboratory at Woolwich

Arsenal in the year 1866

GUN POWDER-Gunpowder (also called as propellant or Power Charge) is that

mixture of chemicals of various compositions designed to propel the projectile by
means of its expansive force of gas when burned.

Two of the most popular individual whose name is always attached to gunpowder
discovery were Roger Bacon and Berthold Schwartz..