[FONT=&]Primer GC dry 1 oz Mks 1 and 2 were used well before WW2 and were still in use up to the1950s. They were dipped in acetone to gelatinise the surface to keep out moisture, but this was not too successful. [/FONT]
[FONT=&]An Engineering Demolitions manual of 1942 says that any damage to this surface allows damp and even air moisture over time, to cause failures. They are highly inflammable, easily ignited, but lose sensitivity at low temperatures. [/FONT]
[FONT=&]The use of CE !oz primers Mk2 was recommended. These were already being produced in mid 1942. No CE Primer Mk 1 was ever introduced into service.[/FONT]
[FONT=&]GC Primers were in the form of a truncated cone 1.25”L x 1.35”taper to 1.15”, with a central hole. Mk1 central hole could not take the standard in service detonators No 27 plain or the No 33 electric. These detonators were based on the commercial detonator No 8 so they were not much use and Mk 1s were made obsolescent, then obsolete soon after.[/FONT]
[FONT=&]10 primers were packed in a black tin cylinder, internally varnished 12.5 to13”L x 1.625” Dia. The primers were threaded on a doubled cotton tape (see photo) attached to a varnished glaze board disc. Each primer had a protective wound glaze board sleeve internally formed to the contour of the primer, but parallel on the outside.[/FONT]
[FONT=&]6 x 10 tins were contained in a Box Wood Primer W3, external dimensions 16.125”L x 5.875”W x 7.25” Deep.[/FONT]
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[FONT=&]Primers CE 1 oz had the same dimensions as GC. Some early production had a small central hole and were not to be rectified because this split the waxed paper inside the hole allowing CE powder to escape. Right through WW2 the primers CE came in trade pack cardboard boxes, with 10 x primers rolled up in waxed paper, 10 packs to the box. When the operational requirements slackened (these being the primer of choice due to rain, puddles etc.) after the war, these were packed in the same W3 and tin cylinders as the GC primers. Where the primers with the small central hole were identified and packed, the boxes were marked ‘not to be rectified’ and were used where the type of task allowed Cordtex to be passed through the hole and knotted. Later CE primers had an enlarged central hole which required slight packing with a leaf, small piece of paper etc., where used with a detonator. Detonators could easily be adhesive taped in.
Sorry about the dark print. I tried to beat the curfew.
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