Japanese Ammunition Coatings

[BOUGAINVILLE]

Hi Folks,

I will detail in this thread the standard mixtures and materials used by the Imperial Japanese Army for their Ammunition.

This information is from the Allied Translation Information Service, South West Pacific Arena. Document Number 1845.

This information will be of particular interest to those that are contemplating restorations and want to get it as authentic as possible.

Mixture numbers (without units), and volumes mentioned are weights and volumetric ratios, respectively.

Black (white, yellow, red) paint mixtures;

By weight or ratio;

Paint solid - 100
Turpentine oil - 15
Drier - 45
Boiled linseed oil - 30

Black (white) Varnish;

By weight or ratio;

Black (white) varnish - 100
Turpentine oil - 15

Yellow (red, green) Varnish;

By weight or ratio;

Yellow (red, green) varnish - 100
Turpentine oil - 25

Rust Proof Paint;

By weight or ratio;

Red lead (minimum) - 82
Drier - 6
Raw linseed oil - 12


The mixtures mentioned were standard.
The ratio was altered according to the seasonal characteristics of chemical paints and varnishes.
Depending upon the work chemical paint was added to the paint or vice versa.
Rust proof paint was used as the base coating for large calibre projectiles.
Two coats of paint were applied to larger calibre projectiles and similar number of varnish coats for others (excluding centering bands and driving bands). Their coats of varnish were applied to the centering bands, the circumferential area below the driving bands, and the shell bases of projectiles intended for fixed projectiles.

Varnish coats were applied to projectile noses of practice shells fitted with fuzes and set screw areas of shrapnel shells (not threads).

Varnish was used to coat the interior of projectiles.

When projectiles were fitted to fixed cartridges the connecting surfaces were coated with varnish. The threads and outer surfaces of fuzes were coated before fitting (excluding special cases).

 

[BOUGAINVILLE]

Shellac Varnish;

Heavy; by weight or ratio

Shellac (kg) - 1.0
Alcohol (litre) - 1.0

Thin; by weight or ratio

Shellac (kg) - 0.2
Alcohol (litre) - 1.0
Auramine (gm) - 1.5

Cellulose Derivative Lacquer;

Nitro-cellulose lacquer or Benzol-cellulose lacquer

Thin to desired density with solvent.


The main use of heavy Shellac Varnish was to seal shell case washers and press-filled projectile openings.
The main use of thin Shellac Varnish was to seal moisture-absorbing cracks and bags. Also for metal ports of shell cases and initiatory devices.

The Cellulose Derivative Lacquer was used the same as shellac-varnish.

 

[BOUGAINVILLE]

Paraffin;

By weight or ratio;

Beeswax - 10
Hog fat - 2
Pine resin - 1

Mixture ratio altered according to season of use.

Used for temporary moisture seals for primer tubes, and threads of shell case primers, base screw plugs, threaded ogives and threaded projectile bodies.

 

[BOUGAINVILLE]

Vermilion Paint;

Vermilion [(T.N. Hgs (cinnabar)] and thick shellac-varnish.

Used for marking loaded shells but may be substituted by red paint.

 

[BOUGAINVILLE]

Violet Paint;

I)
By weight of ratio;

1 part White Dammar to 2 parts Alcohol - 4
1 part Copal to 2 parts Alcohol - 1
Methyl Violet B suitable amount.

II)
By weight of ratio;

2 parts Nitro-cellulose to 3 parts of (3 parts of acetone (volume) to 2 parts of alcohol) - 10
1 part Colophony to 2 parts of alcohol - 1
Methyl Violet B suitable amount.

III)
By weight or ratio;

Nitro-cellulose lacquer or benzol-cellulose lacquer - 10
Methyl Violet B suitable amount.

Used for marking shell cases.

Use either I, II, or III.
Line bottom of container with several layers of cotton cloth for saturation. Use tight cover.
Indicate volumetric ratio for (volume).

 

[kahu1]

Thanks Bougainville, interesting stuff.
I would have thought the Japanese would have largely followed the British colours/painting instructions from the 1900s on,as a lot of their equipment and training originated for Britain.How does the Japanese mixtures hold up against the British?
Having said that, the Japanese had a very good knowledge of paint and colour technologies,only let down during the war by expedience and lack of materials.

 

[BOUGAINVILLE]

Sealing Wax;

By weight or ratio;

Pine resin - 150
Turpentine oil - 13
Paraffin - 25
Gypsum - 12

Ingredients of paraffin used;
Turpentine oil - 1
Shellac - 8
Red lead - 6
Pine resin - 1

Used for bursting charge chambers of practice shells and cast iron projectiles.

Cast Iron Coating for Interior of Cast Iron Projectile;

1st coat;
White zinc paint - 60
Gold size - 30
Boiled linseed oil - 10

2nd coat;
Enamel paint

Yellow Cement;

Lead Monoxide - 5
Glycerin - 1

Main use is for threads of fuze and set screws for loaded shells with yellow phosphorous filler.

Solder;

Cadmium - 3
Bismuth - 15
Tin - 4
Lead -8

Mainly used to solder petard cans.