CLASSIFICATION & PARTS
OF A PRIMER
By Group 6
In firearms and artillery, the prime is the chemical and/or responsible
for initiating the propellant combustion that will push the projectiles
out of the gun barrel. Primer is a high explosive substance.
A small metallic ignition cup at the center of the base, When the
striker hits the base of the cartridge , a distinctive mark is placed by
the gun on the primer.
There are two types of primers:
Boxer - developed in 1866 by Colonel Edward Berdan- was designed in 1866 by of the US Army
Munier Boxer of the Labolatory at the Royal Major General Hiram Berdan.
Woolwich Arsenal, England. The Berdan primer takes its name from its
The Boxer primer takes its name from its inventor,Hiram Berdan, US Army Major General.
inventor, Colonel Edward M. Boxer, an The Berdan primer was a small metal cup containing
a priming compound, usually fulminate of mercury,
Englishman who patented this primer design
which ignited when struck by the firing pin of a
in 1866.
firearm.
The Boxer primer featured a small metal cup
with a centrally located anvil, a primer
compound, and a paper or foil layer that sealed
the primer.
Berdan vs Boxer Centerfire Primers
BOXER BERDAN
Berdan vs Boxer Centerfire Primers
Parts of Primer
BERDAN PRIMER BOXER PRIMER
1. Cup- Is the brass gilding metal cup which contains
1. Cup- Is the brass gilding metal cup which
the priming mixture, the disc and the anvil.
contains the priming mixture, the disc and
the anvil.
2. Disc- Is a thin paper or foil which is pressed over
2. DISC- Is a thin paper or foil which is the priming mixture in order to protect it from
pressed over the priming mixture in order moisture attack.
to protect it from moisture attack. 3. Priming mixture- Is the highly sensitive chemical
3. Priming mixture- Is the highly sensitive compound which ignites by the mechanical blow of
chemical compound which ignites by the the firing pin. It is also called as percussion
mechanical blow of the firing pin. It is powder.
also called as percussion powder. 4. Anvil- Is that portion of the primer which provides
solid support and absorbs the blow of the firing pin
causing friction that would initiates ignition.
