WWII British CE/Gun Cotton Primers

[Belly]

Can anyone tell me the dimensions of the WWII British CE/Gun Cotton primers that came in the tin tubes of 10? I want to make some inert reproductions for display purposes.
Given the size of the tin I'd estimate they're about 35mm at the largest diameter and about 26mm tall.

Any good pictures would also be welcome of both the primers and the the way they were held in the tin which I believe was threaded on a length of string secured by a cardboard disc at one end.
thanks
Paul

 

[butterfly]

there is a bit of information here.....

http://www.lexpev.nl/minesandcharges/europe/unitedkingdom/primers.html

and a little more here http://www.bocn.co.uk/vbforum/threads/58287-guncotton-tube?highlight=guncotton

regards Kev

 

[Anders]

Any good pictures would also be welcome of both the primers and the the way they were held in the tin which I believe was threaded on a length of string secured by a cardboard disc at one end.

Measure for the CE pellets: 33mm high, diameter at the widest point 35mm, smallest 31mm, central hole 6,5mm.

 

[Belly]

Thanks guys
Great picture Anders, although I'm a bit confused with the dimensions. My 45 dated gun cotton primer tin is 270mm and the label says it contains 10 1oz primers, so they can't be 33mm high or they won't fit in the tin?!
I think I've read somewhere that the tins are the same for both CE and Guncotton primers.

 

[butterfly]

Thanks guys
Great picture Anders, although I'm a bit confused with the dimensions. My 45 dated gun cotton primer tin is 270mm and the label says it contains 10 1oz primers, so they can't be 33mm high or they won't fit in the tin?!
I think I've read somewhere that the tins are the same for both CE and Guncotton primers.

I read this and just checked my tube (see picture below) - it measures approx 13 inches or 330mm

(sorry, the photo was a quick snapshot and does not show an accurate measurement, but can be used to gauge - it is as above approx 330mm)

Paul (Belly), has yours been cut down ?

Kev

 

[Belly]

Thanks Kev
Mine measures 270mm or just over 10.5 inches. I can't see any evidence of it being cut down and label says 10 on it! The threaded section appears to be like a sleeve that fits over the tin, so it is possible that it could have been shortened and the threaded 'sleeve' popped back on, but its a very neat job if they have. Must be an 'extra special' forces, airborne, SAS version, ha ha
Looks like I need to add a primer tin back onto my wants list!

 

[Richard709]

Mine also measures 330mm long,



The disc for holding all ten primers is 34mm Dia and the cotton tape is 6mm (1/4in) wide and 365mm long folded length including the 15mm on the back of the disc.

Richard

 

[Dronic69]

When were these type of primers actually installed ready for use?

Thanks
Cheers

 

[Snufkin]

View attachment 115316

The initials FF&S are for F Francis and Sons Ltd, Deptford, London, manufacturers of (surprise, surprise) tin boxes and steel drums; especially for oils, paints, varnishes and chemicals.




Tom.

 

[kiwieod]

heres another type of container for the CE (composition exploding) primers.190x190mm square,inside is 55mm deep,holes are 31mm dia.this british box is ww2 dated and has label dated 1994 right next to it.its been in the NZ navy and also the civil defense.not sure how the primers would be packed,in individual tubes or maybe they just sat in the cutouts.

 

[Anders]

Thanks guys
Great picture Anders, although I'm a bit confused with the dimensions. My 45 dated gun cotton primer tin is 270mm and the label says it contains 10 1oz primers, so they can't be 33mm high or they won't fit in the tin?!
I think I've read somewhere that the tins are the same for both CE and Guncotton primers.

Well mine is the C.E. (Composite Explosive) pellets, and not the G.C. /(guncotten) pellets.

I do not have the measurement for those right at hand, but I also have the Mk.I C.E. pellets "raw" without any texted packings except for a loose card board sleeve that fits nicely over every pellet. Each pellet has been rubberstamped with a four digit number.
All my tubes by the way measures 33,3cm and 4cm in diameter.

 

[butterfly]

maker on my tube is T.P.D. (will upload pictures when I get a chance)

regards Kev

 

[Snufkin]

TPD is Tinplate Decorating Co., Neath and Cardiff, South Wales.




Tom.

 

[Belly]

Brilliant responses guys, just what I was looking for. I've also now found a period shot from my 1945 'Enemy Sabotage Equipment' pamphlet, see below:

 

[Dronic69]

I gather these were used in bombs /perhaps SOE type operations?, but I'm still not 100% sure when and where the primers were used.

Early torpedo warheads had primer socket that permitted a number of GC primers to be inserted for example, with top one having the detonator central hole.

It is obvious that due to the sensitivity and water absorption issues the primers were transported separately - BUT when were they actually installed into the primer socket? One would think during the fusing of a aerial bomb just prior to loading onto a plane for example?. How about naval usage - for example the arming of the torpedoes? Were a set number prepared just in case of an attack? Or "primed" just before /during battle?

Perhaps someone could please enlighten moi?
Thanks
Cheers

 

[Belly]

See below from the SOE sabotage pamphlet:

 

[Richard709]

What a great little box, with so much history and so many labels, a Naval Box as indicated by the big "N" under the label and the sand paint under the service brown, has a British NATO stock number along with an RN shipcat label. At some point has joined the New Zealand navy where it was examined and repacked in 1989 with a disposal?? inspection in 1994, Any clues as to when it would have been part of the Civil Defence stock.



Richard.

Here's a tin for 20 Primers Dem CE Mk1, the tin is 170mm x 75mm, the base of the tin is 25mm and the lid is about 9mm deep, looks to be sealed by a soldered strip around the outside of the closed tin.



the tin is a 379 Mk1, makers initials RL.

 

[kahu1]

I don't think thats a disposal inspection ,i think its a servicability inspection.
So, inspected in 1994 by breaking down a percentage and checking any deterioation,as opposed to a purely visual inspection.

 

[Richard709]

I don't think thats a disposal inspection ,i think its a servicability inspection.
So, inspected in 1994 by breaking down a percentage and checking any deterioation,as opposed to a purely visual inspection.

Just had another look at the DNZ Label and you are correct is does say "Break Down", any idea if and when these went out of service with DNZ.