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  2. Gunpowder - Wikipedia

    en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gunpowder

    Gunpowder is a low explosive: it does not detonate, but rather deflagrates (burns quickly). This is an advantage in a propellant device, where one does not desire a shock that would shatter the gun and potentially harm the operator; however, it is a drawback when an explosion is desired.

  3. Smokeless powder - Wikipedia

    en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Smokeless_powder

    Smokeless powder is a type of propellant used in firearms and artillery that produces less smoke and less fouling when fired compared to black powder. Because of their similar use, both the original black powder formulation and the smokeless propellant which replaced it are commonly described as gunpowder .

  4. Firearm propellant - Wikipedia

    en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Firearm_propellant

    The oldest gun propellant was black powder, a low explosive made from a mixture of sulfur, charcoal, and potassium nitrate. It was invented in China during the 9th century as one of Four Great Inventions, and still remains in occasional use as a solid propellant for antique firearms.

  5. Gunshot residue - Wikipedia

    en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gunshot_residue

    The Modified Griess test detects nitrite compounds, which are a by-product of the combustion of gunpowder. Forensic examiners use this test to determine the gun to target distance. This test is performed first because it does not interfere with the later sodium rhodizonate test. [7]

  6. Cordite - Wikipedia

    en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cordite

    Gunpowder, an explosive mixture of sulfur, charcoal and potassium nitrate (also known as saltpeter), was the original propellant employed in firearms and fireworks.It was used from about the 10th or 11th century onward, but it had disadvantages, including the large amount of smoke it produced.

  7. Cartridge (firearms) - Wikipedia

    en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cartridge_(firearms)

    A cartridge, [1] [2] also known as a round, is a type of pre-assembled firearm ammunition packaging a projectile (bullet, shot, or slug), a propellant substance (smokeless powder, black powder substitute, or black powder) and an ignition device within a metallic, paper, or plastic case that is precisely made to fit within the barrel chamber of ...

  8. Black powder substitute - Wikipedia

    en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Black_powder_substitute

    A black powder substitute is a replacement for black powder (gunpowder), primarily used in muzzleloading firearms. Substitutes may have slightly different properties from gunpowder such as: reduced sensitivity as an explosive, increased efficiency as a propellant powder, different density, and/or reduced ignition efficiency.

  9. Glossary of firearms terms - Wikipedia

    en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Glossary_of_firearms_terms

    The term gunpowder also refers broadly to any propellant powder. Modern firearms do not use the traditional gunpowder (black powder) described here, but instead use smokeless powder. Guncotton replaced black powder as a propellant, and was in turn replaced by smokeless powder. Gun serial number: A unique identifier given to a specific firearm.