Another Anzac Day

[browningautorifle]

I guess a bit of heat must improve that initial ignition.

Just curious, never heard it before.

don't ask me how it works, it just does.

I meant what did you do...set this old ammo out in direct sunlight for a bit to ensure immediate ignition of older primers, that was it? Didn't know that...

[muffett.2008]

Interestingly enough, Potassium Chlorate was the go to primer composition until about 1930, it was the byproduct of this that caused the rapid rust problems experienced.
It brings me to a course I did back in my Super Grunt days at the Pioneer Wing at Singleton.
The course was broken into two groups, each to booby trap a building.....losers get to be blown up.

Well I headed into the local chemist shop for a bit of non military thinking, Potassium crystals, Iodide crystals and Ammonia.
You chemistry kids are probably way ahead of me by now.
Yep , mixed up a batch of touch powder with a drop of Potassium to give it greater boot.

So we set the joint up with various switches and traps, poured a bit of my solution on the steps on the way out, and headed off to watch the fun.

Big problem I had was an over curious Instructor, he kept stepping on the crystals as they grew in the sun, luckily there were enough there to give the opposition a great welcome to the dirty tricks, they got caught by three devices that day, while we had a clean sheet, deactivating all off their devices....fun was the go back in those days.

[browningautorifle]

Interestingly enough, Potassium Chlorate was the go to primer composition until about 1930, it was the byproduct of this that caused the rapid rust problems experienced.

Yes, that I was aware of.

the Pioneer Wing

I took demolition instructor at our engineer school in Chilliwack in about '87...also had good fun except for the demolition calculations. Not much boozing on that course.

[Daan Kemp]

In general, small arms ammunition that has been warmed up in the sun for a while has a higher velocity than cold ammunition. This makes a difference when your ammunition is chronographed for a match and must meet a minimum velocity.

[Madzi]

Hi Muffett - assuming a no from your comment on the extra elevation, but does your Lithgow still have the MkVI sights (accentuated ramp and no H.V stamp (or Lithgow equivalent)? Or are SMLE's of any type still set up for MkVI the Holy Grail? (Given the Aussies were using MkVI at Gallipoli, assuming there might still be the odd Lithgow's around with sights set up for MKVI)

[muffett.2008]

No, most Lithgow rifles were upgraded to Mk. VII commencing in 1918 and still going well into 1960.
There may be one or two that escaped the program....they'd be rare.

[smerdon42]

My 1913 is still sighted and set up for mkvi ammo was never upgraded to mkvii

[Madzi]

Thanks Both! Hoping one pops up on the sales radar UK side. Bucket list item!

[ufo8mydog]

No, most Lithgow rifles were upgraded to Mk. VII commencing in 1918 and still going well into 1960.
There may be one or two that escaped the program....they'd be rare.

I have seen a few Lithgow's still sighted for MKVI. 1 X 1914, 3 x 1915 and 2 x 1916. So yes pretty rare. Lithgow No 2 magazines to go with them also pretty rare.