hi all. I hope this isn't too stupid a question. But i just removed the stock from my 1917 B.S.A.Co. L.E III to give it a good cleaning and noticed the underside of the barrel was stamped nitro proved. Can anyone explain to me what nitro proved is? Many thanks!!!!
nitro proved?
- Thread starter oriordan
- Start date
There's no such thing as a stupid question. Nitro proofing is testing the action for the pressure it will take. English law requires or required all surplus firearms being sold through Britain be proofed before they could be sold. Nobody is exactly sure why though. The .303 is usually proofed at 18.5 tons per square inch.
It could be that the Cordite used as a Propellant was Part Nitroglycerin.
I found this definition in Websters Dictionary.
cordite
One entry found.
cordite
Main Entry:
cord·ite Listen to the pronunciation of cordite
Pronunciation:
\ˈkȯr-ˌdīt\
Function:
noun
Date:
1889
: a smokeless powder composed of nitroglycerin, guncotton, and a petroleum substance usually gelatinized by addition of acetone and pressed into cords resembling brown twine
I found this definition in Websters Dictionary.
cordite
One entry found.
cordite
Main Entry:
cord·ite Listen to the pronunciation of cordite
Pronunciation:
\ˈkȯr-ˌdīt\
Function:
noun
Date:
1889
: a smokeless powder composed of nitroglycerin, guncotton, and a petroleum substance usually gelatinized by addition of acetone and pressed into cords resembling brown twine
Well - I'm sure there are more knowledgeable folks that could answer this better. At the turn of the 19th century, black powder was replaced with nitrocellulose based powders. These generated higher pressures than their predecessors, so proofing to higher pressure levels was needed. The "nitro-pooved" symbol assured the user that the firearm could be used for modern cartridges.
