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- IMPROVISED MUNITIONS HANDBOOK
- TM 31-210 Department of the army technical manual
- UNITED STATES OF AMERICA WAR OFFICE
- FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY
- CHAPTER I
- ---------
- EXPLOSIVES AND PROPELLANTS (Includind Igniters)
- For further information or additional inserts, contact:
- Commanding Officer
- Frankford Arsenal
- ATTN: SMUF A-U3100, Special Products Division
- Small Caliber Engineering Directorate
- Philadelphia, PA. 19137
- Additional inserts will be made available as evaluation tests are completed.
- Please notify the above agency of any change of address so that you may receive
- them.
- INTRODUCTION
- 1. Purpose and Scope
- In Unconventional Warfare operations it may be impossible or unwise to use
- conventional military munitions as tools in the conduct of certain missions. it
- may be necessary instead to fabricate the required munitions from locally
- available or unassuming materials. The purpose of this Manual is to increase
- the potential of Special Forces and guerrilla troops by describing in detail
- the manufacture of munitions from seemingly innocuous locally available mate-
- rials.
- Manufactured, precision devices almost always will be more effective, more
- reliable, and easier to use than improvised ones, but shelf items will just not
- be available for certain operations for security or logistical reasons. There-
- fore the operater will have to rely on materials he can buy in a drug or paint
- store, find in a junk pile, or scrounge from military stocks. Also, many of the
- ingredients and materials used in fabricating homemade items are so commonplace
- or innocuous they can be carried without arousing suspicion. The completed item
- itself often is more easily concealed or camouflaged. In addition, the field
- expedient item can be tailored for the intended target, thereby providing an
- advantage over the standard item in flexibility and versatility.
- The Manual contains simple explanations and illustrations to permit const-
- ruction of the items by personnel not normally familiar with making and hand-
- ling munitions. These items were conceived in-house or, obtained from other
- publications or personnel engaged in munitions or special warfare work. This
- Manual includes methods for fabricating explosives, detonators, propellants,
- shaped charges, small arms, mortats, incendiaries, delays, switches, and simi-
- lar items from indigenous materials.
- 2. Safety and Reliability
- Each item was evaluated both theoretically and experimentally to assure safety
- and reliability. A large number of items were descarded because of inherent
- hazards or unreliable performance. Safety warnings are prominently inserted in
- the procedures where they apply but it is emphasized that safety is a matter of
- attitude. It is a proven fact that men who are alert, who think out a situa-
- tion, and who take correct precautions have fewer accidents than the careless
- and indifferent. It is important that work be planned and that instructions be
- followed to the letter; all work should be done in a neat and orderly manner.
- In the manufacture explosives, detonators, propellants and incendiaries, equip-
- ment must be kept clean and such energy concentrations as sparks, friction, im-
- pact, hot objects, flame, chemical reactions, and excessive pressure should be
- avoided.
- These items were found to be effective in most environments; however, samples
- should be made and tested remotely prior to actual use of assure proper per-
- formance. Chemical items should be used as soon as possible after preparation
- and kept free of moisture, dirt, and the above energy concentrations. Special
- care should be taken in any attempt at substitution or use of items for pur-
- poses other than that specified or intended.
- 3. User Comments
- It is anticipated that this manual will be revised or changed from time to
- time. In this way it will be possible to update present material and add new
- items as they become available. Users are encouraged to submit recommended
- changes or comments to improve this manual. Comments should be keyed to the
- specific page, paragraph, and line of the text in which changes are recom-
- mended. Reasons should be provided for each comment to insure understanding
- and complete evaluation. Comments should be forwarded directly to Commandant,
- United States Army, Special Warfare School, Fort Bragg, North Carolina 28307
- and Commanding Officer, United States Army, Frankford Arsenal, SMUFA-J8000,
- Philadelphia, Pennsylvania 19137.
- Section I
- No. 1
- PLASTIC EXPLOSIVE FILLER
- A plastic explosive filler can be made from potassium chlorate and petroleum
- jelly. This explosive can be detonaed with commercial #8 or military blasting
- cap.
- MATERIALS REQUIRED: HOW USED:
- ------------------- ---------
- Potassium chlorate Medicine
- Manufacture of matches
- Petroleum jelly (Vaseline) Medicine
- Lubricant
- Piece of round stick
- Wide bowl or other container
- for mixing ingredients.
- PROCEDURE:
- ----------
- 1. Spread potassium chlorate crystals thinly on a hard surface. Roll the round
- stick over crystals to crush into a very fine powder until it looks like face
- powder or wheat flour.
- 2. Place 9 parts powdered potassium chlorate and 1 part petroleum jelly in a
- wide bowl or similar container. Mix ingredients with hands (knead) until a uni-
- form paste is obtained.
- NOTE: Store explosive in a waterproof container until ready to use.
- Section I
- No. 2
- POTASSIUM NITRATE
- Potassium nitrate (saltpeter) can be extracted from many natural sources and
- can be used to make nitric acid, black powder and many pyrotechnics. The yield
- ranges from .1 to 10% by weight, depending on the fertility of the soil.
- MATERIALS: SOURCES:
- ---------- --------
- Nitrate bearing earth or other Soil containing old decayed
- materials, about 3-1/2 gallons vegetable or animal matter
- (13-1/2 liters)
- Old cellars and/or farm dirt
- floors
- Earth from old burial grounds
- Decayed stone or mortal build-
- ings foundations
- Fine wood ashes, about 1/2 cup Totally burned whitish wood
- (1/8 liter) ash powder
- Bucket or similar container, Totally burned paper (black)
- about 5 gallons (19 liters) in
- volume (plastic, metal, or
- wood)
- 2 pieces of finely woven cloth,
- each slightly larger than bot-
- tom of bucket
- Shallow pan or dish, at least as
- large as bottom of bucket
- Shallow heat resistant container
- (ceramic, metal, etc.)
- Water - 1-1/3 gallons (6-3/4
- liters)
- Awl, knife, screwdriver, or ot-
- her hole producing instrument
- Alcohol about 1 gallon (4 lit-
- ers) (whiskey, rubbing alcohol,
- etc.)
- Heat source (fire, electric
- heater, etc.)
- Paper
- Tape
- NOTE: Only the rations of the amount of ingredients are important. Thus, for
- twice as much potassium nitrate, double quantities used.
- PROCEDURE:
- ----------
- 1. Punch holes in bottom of bucket. Spread one piece of cloth over holes in-
- side of bucket.
- 2. Place wood ashes on cloth and spread to make a layer about the thickness of
- the cloth. Place second piece of cloth on top of ashes.
- 3. Place dirt in bucket.
- 4. Place bucket over shallow container. Bucket may be supported on sticks if
- necessary.
- ************
- *EEEEEEEEEE*
- *EEEEEEEEEE*-----Earth ****
- *EEEEEEEEEE* / **
- *CCCCCCCCCC*-----Cloth Stick-------*********
- *WWWWWWWW*------Wood \ **
- *AAAAAAAA*------Ashes ****
- *CCCCCCCC*------Cloth
- **********
- SSSSSSSSSSSSSS--------Stick
- **********
- **********------Shallow Container
- **********
- 5. Boil water and pour it over earth in bucket a little at a time. Allow
- water to run through holes in bucket into shallow container. Be sure water
- through all of the earth. Allow drained liquid to cool and settle for 1 to 2
- hours.
- NOTE: Do not pour all water at once, since this may cause stopage.
- 6. Carefully drain off liquid into heat resistant container. Discard any
- sludge remaining in bottom of the shallow container.
- 7. Boil mixture over hot fire for at least 2 hours. Small grains of salt will
- begin to appear in the solution. Scoop these out as they form, using any type
- of improvised strainer (paper, etc.).
- 8. When liquid has boiled down to approximately half its original volume, re-
- move from fire and let sit. After half an hour add an equal volume of alcohol.
- When mixture is poured through paper, small white crystals will collect on top
- of it.
- 9. To purify the potassium nitrate, re-desolve the dry crystals in the small-
- est possible amount of boiled water. Remove any salt crystals that appear (step
- 7); pour through an improvised filter made of several pieces of paper and eva-
- porate or gently heat the concentrated solution to dryness.
- 10. Spread crystals on flat surface and allow to dry. The potassium nitrate
- crystals are now ready for use.
- Section I
- No. 3
- IMPROVISED BLACK POWDER
- Black Powder can be prepered in a simple, safe manner. It may be used as
- blasting or gun powder.
- MATERIALS REQUIRED:
- -------------------
- Potassium nitrate, granulated, 3 cups (3/4 liter) (see Sect. I, No. 2)
- Wood charcoal, powdered, 2 cups (1/2 liter)
- Sulfur, powdered, 1/2 cup (1/8 liter)
- Alcohol, 5 pints (2-1/2 liters) (whiskey, rubbing alcohol, etc.)
- Water, 3 cups (3/4 liter)
- Heat source
- 2 Buckets - each 2 gallon (7-1/2 liters) capacity, at least one of which is
- heat resistant (metal, ceramic, etc.)
- Flat window screening, at least 1 foot (30 cm) square
- Large wooden stick
- Cloth, at least 2 feet (60 cm) square
- NOTE: The above amounts will yield two pounds (900 grams) of black powder. How-
- ever, only the ratios of the amounts of ingredients. Thus, for twice as much
- black powder, double all quantities used.
- PROCEDURE:
- ----------
- 1. Place alcohol in on3e of the buckets.
- 2. Place potassium nitrate, charcoal, and sulfur in the heat resistant bucket.
- Add 1 cup water and mix thoroughly with wooden stick until all ingredients are
- dissolved.
- 3. Add remaining water (2 cups) to mixture. Place bucket on heat source and
- stir until small bubbles begin to form.
- CAUTION: Do not boil mixture. Be sure all mixture stays wet. If any is dry, as
- on sides of pan, it may ignite.
- 4. Remove bucket from heat and pour mixture into alcohol while stirring vigo-
- rously.
- 5. Let alcohol mixture stand about 5 minutes. Strain mixture through cloth to
- obtain black powder. Discard liquid. Wrap cloth around black powder and squeeze
- to remove all excess liquid.
- 6. Place screening over dry bucket. Place workable amount of damp powder on
- screen and granulate by rubbing solid through screen.
- NOTE: If granulated particles appear to stick together and change shape, re-
- combine entire batch of powder and repeat steps 5 and 6.
- 7. Spread granulated black powder on flat dry surface so that layer about 1/2
- inch (1-1/4 cm) is formed. Allow to dry. Use radiator, or direct sunlight. This
- should be dried as soon as possible, perferably in one hour. The longer the
- drying period, the less effective the black powder.
- CAUTION: Remove from heat as soon as granules are dry. Black powder is now
- ready for use.
- Section I
- No. 4
- NITRIC ACID
- Nitric acid is used in the preparation of many explosives, incendiary mix-
- tures, and acid delay timers. It may be prepared by distilling a mixture of
- potassium nitrate and concentrated sulfuric acid.
- MATERIALS REQUIRED: SOURCES:
- ------------------- --------
- Potassium nitrate (2 parts by Drug Store
- volume) Improvised (Section I, No. 2)
- Concentrated sulfuric acid (1 Motor vehicle batteries
- part by volume) Industrial plants
- 2 bottles of ceramic jugs
- (narrow necks are prefectable)
- Pot or frying pan
- Heat source (wood, coal, or
- charcoal)
- Tape (paper, elecrtical, mask-
- ing, etc, but not cellophane)
- Paper or rags
- IMPORTANT: If sulfuric acid is obtained from a motor vehicle battery, concent-
- rate it by boiling it until white fumes appear. DO NOT INHALE FUMES.
- NOTE: The amount of nitric acid produced is the same as the amount of potas-
- sium nitrate. Thus, for 2 tablespoonsful of nitric acid, use 2 tablespoonsful
- of potassium nitrate and 1 tablespoonsful of concentrated sulfuric acid.
- PROCEDURE:
- ----------
- 1. Place dry potassium nitrate in bottle or jug. Add sulfuric acid. Do not
- fill bottle more than 1/4 full. Mix until paste is formed.
- 2. Wrap paper or rags around necks of 2 bottles. Securely tape necks of
- bottles together. Be sure bottles are flush against each other and that there
- are no air spaces.
- CAUTION: Sulfuric acid will burn sn\kin and destroy clothing. If any is spill-
- ed, wash it away with a large quantity of water. Fumes are also dangerous and
- should not be inhaled.
- 3. Support bottles on rocks or cans so that empty bottle is slightly lower
- than bottle containing paste so that nitric acid thet is formed in receiving
- bottle will not run into other bottle.
- 4. Build fire in pot or frying pan.
- 5. Gently heat bottle containing mixture by moving fire in and out. As red
- fumes begin to appear periodically pour cool water over empty receiving bottle.
- Nitric acid will begin to form in the receiving bottle.
- CAUTION: Do not overheat or wet bottle containing mixture or it may shatter. As
- an added precaution, place bottle to be heated in heat resistent container
- filled with sand or gravel. Heat this outer container to produce nitric acid.
- 6. Continue the above process until no more red fumes are formed. If the nit-
- ric acid formed in the receiving bottle is not clear (cloudy) pour it into
- cleaned bottle and repeat Steps 2-6.
- CAUTION: Sulfuric acid will burn skin and destroy clothing. If any is spill-
- ed, wash it away with a large quantity of water. Fumes are also dangerous and
- should not be inhaled.
- Nitric acid should be kept away from all combustibles and should be kept in a
- sealed ceramic or glass container.
- Section I
- No. 5
- INITIATOR FOR DUST EXPLOSIONS
- An initiator which will initiate common material to produce dust explosions
- can be rapidly and easily constructed. This type of charge is ideal for the
- destruction of enclosed areas such as rooms or buildings.
- MATERIALS REQUIRED:
- -------------------
- A flat can, 3 in. (8 cm) diameter and 1-1/2 in. (3-3/4 cm) high. A 6-1/2 ounce
- Tuna can serves the purpose quite well.
- Blasting cap
- Explosive
- Aluminum (may be wire, cut sheet, flattened can or powder)
- Large nail, 4 in. (10 cm) long
- Wooden rod - 1/4 in. (6 mm) diameter
- Flour, gasoline and powder or chipped aluminum
- NOTE: Plastic explosives (Comp. C-4, etc.) produce better explosions than cast
- explosives (Comp. B, etc.).
- PROCEDURE:
- ----------
- 1. Using the nail, press a hole through the side of the Tuna can 3/8 to 1/2
- inch (1 to 1-1/2 cm) from the bottom. Using a rotating and lever action, en-
- large the hole until it will accommodate the blasting cap.
- 2. Place the wooden rod in the hole and position the end of the rod at the
- center of the can.
- 3. Press explosive into the can, being sure to surround the rod, until it is
- 3/4 inch (2 cm) from top of the can. Carefully remove the wooden rod.
- 4. Place the aluminum metal on top of the explosive.
- 5. Just before use, insert the blasting cap into the cavity made by the rod.
- The initiator is now ready for use.
- NOTE: If it is desired to carry the initiator some distance, cardboard may be
- pressed on top of the aluminum to insure against loss of material.
- HOW TO USE:
- -----------
- This particular unit works quite well to initiate charges of five pounds of
- flour, 1/2 gallon (1-2/3 litres) of gasoline or twwo pounds of flake painters
- aluminum. The solid materials may merely be contained in sacks or cardboard
- cartons. The gasoline may be placed in plasticcoated paper milk cartons, plas-
- tic or glass bottles. The charges are placed directly on top of the initiator
- and the blasting cap is actuated electrically or by fuse depending on the type
- of cap employed. This will destroy a 2.000 cubic feet enclosure (building 10 x
- 20 x 10 feet).
- NOTE: For larger enclosures, use proportionately larger initiators and charges.
- Section I
- No. 6
- FERTILIZER EXPLOSIVE
- An explosive munition can be made from fertilizer grade ammunition nitrate
- and either fuel or a mixture of equal parts of motor oil and gasoline. When
- properly prepared, this explosive munition can be detonated with a blasting
- cap.
- MATERIALS REQUIRED:
- -------------------
- Ammonium nitrate (not less than 32% nitrogen)
- Fuel oil or gasoline and motor oil (1:1 ratio)
- Two flat boards. (At least one of these should be comfortably held in the hand,
- i.e. 2 x 4 and 36 x 36.)
- Bucket or other container for mixing ingredients
- Iron or steel pipe or bottle, tin can or heavy-walled cardboard tube
- Blasting cap
- Wooden rod - 1/4 in. diameter
- Spoon or similar measuring container
- PROCEDURE:
- ----------
- 1. Spread a handful of the ammonium nitrate on the large flat board and rub
- vigorously with the other board until the large particles are crushed into a
- very fine powder that looks like flour (approx. 10 min).
- NOTE: Proceed with Step 2 as soon as possible since the powder may take mois-
- ture from the air and become spoiled.
- 2. Mix one measure (cup, tablespoon, etc.) of fuel oil with 16 measures of
- the finely ground ammonium nitrate in a dry bucket or other suitable container
- and stir with the wooden rod. If fuel oil is not available, use one half mea-
- sure of gasoline and one half of motor oil. Store in a waterproof container un-
- til ready to use.
- 3. Spoon this mixture into an iron or steel pipe which has an end cap thread-
- ed on one end. If a pipe is not available, you may use a dry tin can, a glass
- jar or a heavy-walled cardboard tube.
- NOTE: Take care not to tamp or shake the mixture in the pipe. If mixture be-
- comes tightly packed, one cap will not be sufficient to initiate the explosive.
- 4. Insert blasting cap just beneath the surface of the explosive mix.
- NOTE: Confining the open end of the container will add to the effectiveness of
- the explosive.
- Section I
- No. 7
- CARBON TET - EXPLOSIVE
- A moist explosive mixture can be made from fine aluminum powder combined
- with carbon tetrachloride or tetrachloroethylene. This explosive can be deto-
- nated with a blasting cap.
- MATERIALS REQUIRED: SOURCES:
- ------------------- --------
- Fine aluminum bronzing powder Paint Store
- Carbon tetrachloride or Pharmacy, or fire extin-
- tetrachloroethylene guisher fluid
- Stirring rod (wood) Dry cleaners, Pharmacy
- Mixing container (bowl, bucket,
- etc.)
- Measuring container (cup, table,
- spoon, etc.)
- Storage container (jar, can,
- etc.)
- Blasting cap
- Pipe, can or jar
- PROCEDURE:
- ----------
- 1. Measure out two parts aluminum powder to one part carbon tetrachloride or
- tetrachloroethylene liquid into mixing container, adding liquid to powder while
- stirring with the wooden rod.
- 2. Stir until the mixture becomes the consistency of honey syrup.
- CAUTION: Fumes from the liquid are dangerous and should not be inhaled.
- 3. Store explosive in a jar or similar waterproof container until ready to
- use. The liquid in the mixture evaporates quickly when not nonfined.
- NOTE: Mixture will detonate in this manner for a period of 72 hours.
- HOW TO USE:
- -----------
- 1. Pour this mixture into an iron or steel pipe which has an end cap thread-
- ed on one end. If a pipe is not available, you may use a dry tin can or a grass
- jar,
- 2. Insert B\blasting cap just beneath the surface of the explosive mix.
- NOTE: Confining the open end of the container will add to the effectiveness of
- the explosive.
- Section I
- No. 8
- FERTILIZER AN-AL EXPLOSIVE
- A dry explosive mixture can be made from ammonium nitrate fertilizer combi-
- ned with fine aluminum powder. This explosive can be detonated with a blasting
- cap.
- MATERIALS REQUIRED: SOURCES:
- ------------------- --------
- Ammonium nitrate fertilizer Farm or Feed Store
- (not less than 32% nitrogen)
- Fine aluminum bronzing powder Paint Store
- Measuring container (cup, table-
- spoon, etc.)
- Mixing container (wide bowl, can,
- etc.)
- Two flat boards (one should be
- comfortably held in hand and
- one very large, i.e. 2 x 4
- and 36 x 36 in.)
- Storage container (jar, can,
- etc.)
- Blasting cap
- Wooden rod - 1/4 inch diameter
- Pipe, can or jar
- PROCEDURE:
- ----------
- 1. Method I - To obtain a low velocity explosive.
- a. Use measuring container to measure four parts fertilizer to one part
- aluminum powder and pour into the mixing container.
- (Example: 4 cups of fertilizer to 1 cup aluminum powder.)
- b. Mix ingredients well with the wooden rod.
- 2. Method II - To obtain a much higher velocity explosive.
- a. Spread a handful at a time of the fertilizer on the large flat board
- and rub vigorously with the other board until the large particles are
- crushed into a very fine powder that looks like flour (approx. 10 min per
- handful).
- NOTE: Proceed with step b below as soon as possible since the powder may take
- moisture from the air and become spoiled.
- b. Follow steps a and b of Method I.
- 3. Store the explosive mixture in a waterproof container, such as glass jar,
- steel pipe, etc., until ready to use.
- HOW TO USE:
- -----------
- Follow steps 1 and 2 of "How To Use" in Section I, No. 7.
- Section I
- No. 9
- "RED OR WHITE POWDER" PROPELLANT
- "Red or White Powder" Propellant may be prepared in a simple, safe manner.
- The formulation describes below will result in approximately 2-1/2 pounds of
- powder. This is a small arms propellant and should only be used in weapons with
- 1/2 in. inside diameter or less, such as the Match Gun or the 7.62 Carbine, but
- not pistols.
- MATERIALS REQUIRED:
- -------------------
- Heat source (Kitchen stove or open fire)
- 2 gallon metal bucket
- Measuring cup (8 ounces)
- Wooden spoon or rubber spatula
- Metal sheet or aluminum foil (at least 18 in. sq.)
- Flat window screen (at least 1 ft. sq.)
- Potassium nitrate (granulated) 2-1/3 cups
- White sugar (granulated) 2 cups
- Powdered ferric oxide (rust) 1.8 cup (if available)
- Clear water, 3-1/2 cups
- PROCEDURE:
- ----------
- 1. Place the sugar, potassium nitrate, and water in the bucket. Heat with a
- low flame, stirring occasionally until the sugar and potassium nitrate dis-
- solve.
- 2. If available, add the ferric oxide (rust) to the solution. Increase the
- flame under the mixture until it boils gently.
- NOTE: The mixture will retain the rust coloration.
- 3. Stir and scrape the bucket sides occasionally until the mixture is reduced
- to one quarter of its orginal volume, then stir continuously.
- 4. As the water evaporates, the mixture will become thicker until it reaches
- the consistency of cooked breakfast cereal or homemade fudge. At this stage of
- thickness, remove the bucket from the heat source, and spread the mass on the
- metal sheet.
- 5. While the material cools, score it with the spoon or spatula in criss-
- crossed furrows about 1 inch spart.
- 6. Allow the material to air dry, preferably in the sun. As it dries, rescore
- it occasionally (about every 20 minutes) to air drying.
- 7. When the material has dried to a point where it is moist and soft but not
- sticky to the touch, place a small spoonful on the screen. Rub the material
- back and forth against the screen mesh with spoon or other flat object until
- the material is granulated into small worm-like particles.
- 8. After granulation, return the material to the sun to dry completely.
- Section I
- No. 10
- NITRIC ACID/NITROBENZENE ("HELLHOFFITE") EXPLOSIVE
- An explosive munition can be made from mononitrobenzene and nitric acid. It
- is a simple explosive to prepare. Just pour the mononitrobenzene into the acid
- stir.
- MATERIALS REQUIRED: SOURCES:
- ------------------- --------
- Nitric acid Field grade or 90% concentrated
- (specific gravity of 1.48)
- Mononitrobenzene (also known as Drug store (oil of mirbane)
- nitrobenzene) Chemiclal supply house
- Industries (used as solvent)
- Acid resistant measuring con- Glass, clay, etc.
- tainers.
- Acid resistant mixing rod
- Blasting cap
- Wax
- Steel pipe, end cap and tape
- Bottle or jar
- NOTE: Prepare mixture just before use.
- PROCEDURE:
- ----------
- 1. Add 1 volume (cup, quart, etc.) mononitrobenzene to 2 volumes nitric acid
- in bottle or jar.
- 2. Mix ingredients well by stirring with acid resistant rod.
- CAUTION: Nitric acid will burn skin and destroy clothing. If any is spilled,
- wash off imediately with a large amount of water. Nitrobenzene is toxic; do not
- inhale fumes.
- HOW TO USE:
- -----------
- 1. Wax blasting cap, pipe and end cap.
- 2. Thread end cap onto pipe.
- 3. Pour mixture into pipe.
- 4. Insert and tape blasting cap just beneath surface of mixture.
- NOTE: Combining the open end of the pipe will add to the effectiveness of the
- explosive.
- Section I
- No. 11
- OPTIMIZED PROCESS FOR CELLULOSE/ACID EXPLOSIVES
- An acid type explosive can be made from nitric acid and white paper or cot-
- ton cloth. This explosive can be detonated with a commercial #8 or any military
- blasting cap.
- MATERIALS REQUIRED: SOURCES:
- ------------------- --------
- Nitric acid Industrial metal processors, 90%
- concentrated (specific gravity
- of 1.48)
- Field grade (See Section I, No. 4)
- White unprinted, unsized paper Paper towels, napkins
- Clean white cotton cloth Clothing, sheets, etc.
- Acid resistant container Wax coasted pipe or can, ceramic
- pipe, glass jar, etc.
- Heavy-walled glass container
- Aluminum foil or acid resistant Food stores
- material
- Protective gloves
- Blasting cap
- Wax
- PROCEDURE:
- ----------
- 1. Put on gloves.
- 2. Spread out a layer of paper or cloth on aluminum foil and sprinkle with
- nitric acid until thoroughly soaked. If aluminum foil is unavailable, use an
- acid resistant material (glass, ceramic or wood).
- CAUTION: Acid will burn skin and destroy clothing. If any is spilled, wash it
- away with a large quantity of water. Do not inhale fumes.
- 3. Place another layer of paper or cloth on top of the acid-soaked sheet and
- repeat step 2 above. Repeat as often as necessary.
- 4. Roll up the aluminum foil containing the acid-soaked sheets and insert the
- roll into the acid resistant container.
- NOTE: If glass, ceramic or wooden tray is used, pick up sheets with two wooden
- sticks and load into container.
- 5. Wax blasting cap.
- 6. Insert the blasting cap in the center of the rolled sheets. Allow 5 min-
- utes before detonating the explosive.
- NOTE: Section I, No. 12 to 17 is missing in the book. Probably censored.
- Section I
- No. 18
- POTASSIUM OR SODIUM NITRATE AND LITHARGE (LEAD MONOXIDE)
- Potassium or sodium nitrate is needed to prepare DDNP (Section I, No. 19)
- and litharge is required for the preparation of lead picrate (Section I, No.
- 20).
- MATERIALS REQUIRED: SOURCES:
- ------------------- --------
- Lead metal (small pieces or Pluming supply store
- chips)
- Potasium (or sodium) nitrate Field grade (Section I, No. 2)
- Methyl (wood) alcohol or Drug Store.
- Iron pipe with end cap
- Iron rod or screwdriver
- Paper towels
- 2 glass jars, wide mouth
- Metal pan
- Heat source (hot coals or blow
- torch)
- Improvised scale (Section VII,
- No. 8)
- Cup
- Water
- Pan
- PROCEDURE:
- ----------
- 1. Mix 12 grams of lead and 4 grams of potassium or sodium nitrate in a jar.
- Place the mixture in the iron pipe.
- 2. Heat iron pipe in a bed of hot coals or with blow torch for 30 minutes to
- 1 hour. (Mixture will change to a yellow color.)
- 3. Remove the iron pipe from the heat source and allow to cool. Chip out the
- yellow material formed in the iron pipe and place the chips in the glass jar.
- 4. Add 1/2 cup (120 milliliters) of methyl alcohol to the chips.
- 5. Heat the glass jar containing the mixture in a hot water bath for approxi-
- mately 2 minutes (heat until there is a noticeable reaction between chips and
- alcohol; solution will turn darker.
- 6. Filter the mixture through a paper towel into the other glass jar. The
- material left on the paper towel is lead monoxide.
- 7. Remove the lead monoxide and wash it twice through a paper towel using 1/2
- cup (120 milliliters) of hot water each time. Air dry before using.
- 8. Place the jar with the liquid (from Step 6) in a hot water bath (as in
- Step 5) and heat until the alcohol has evaporated. The powder remaining in the
- jar after evaporation is potassium or sodium nitrate.
- NOTE: Nitrate has a strong tendency to absorb water from the atmosphere and
- should be stored in a closed container.
- Section I
- No. 19
- DDNP
- DDNP is a primary explosive used in the fabrication of detonators (Section
- VI, No. 13). It is to be used with a booster explosive such as picric acid
- (Section I, No. 21) or RDX (Section I, No. 15).
- MATERIALS REQUIRED: SOURCES:
- ------------------- --------
- Picric acid Section I, No. 21
- Flowers of sulfur
- Lye (sodium hydroxide)
- Sulfuric acid, diluted Motor vehicle batteries
- Potassium or sodium nitrate Section I, No. 15
- Water
- 2 glass cups, heat resistant,
- (Pyrex)
- Stirring rod (glass or wood)
- Improvised scale Section VII, No. 8
- Paper towels
- Teaspoon
- Tablespoon
- Eyedropper
- Heat source
- Containers
- Tape
- PROCEDURE:
- ----------
- 1. In one of the glass cups, mix 1/2 gram of lye with 2 tablespoons (30
- milliliters) of warm water.
- 2. Dissolve 1 teaspoon (3 grams) of picric acid in the water-lye solution.
- Store until ready for step 5.
- 3. Place 1/4 teaspoon (1 milliliter) of water in the other glass cup. Add 1/2
- teaspoon (2-1/2 grams) of sulfur and 1/3 teaspoon (2-1/2 grams) of lye to the
- water.
- 4. Boil solution over heat source until color turns dark red. Remove and
- allow solution to cool.
- 5. In three portions, add this sulfur-lye solution to the picric acid-lye
- solution (Step 2); stir while pouring. Allow mixture to cool.
- 6. Filter the mixture through paper towel into a container. Small red par-
- ticles will collect the paper. Discard the liquid in the container.
- 7. Dissolve the red particles in 1/4 cup (60 milliliters) of boiling water.
- 8. Remove and filter the mixture through a paper towel as in step 6. Discard
- the particles left on the paper.
- 9. Using an eyedropper, slowly add the sulfuric acid to the filtered solution
- until it turns orangebrown.
- 10. Add 1/2 teaspoon (2-1/2 grams) more of sulfuric acid to the solution. Al-
- low the solution to cool to room temperature.
- 11. In a separate container, dissolve 1/4 teaspoon (1,8 grams) of potassium or
- sodium nitrate in 1/3 cup (80 milliliters) of water.
- 12. Add this solution in one portion, while stirring, to the orangebrown solu-
- tion. Allow the mixture to stand for 10 minutes. The mixture will turn light
- brown.
- CAUTION: At this point the mixture is a primary explosive. Keep away from
- flame.
- 13. Filter the mixture through a paper towel. Wash the particles left on the
- paper with 4 teaspoons (20 milliliters) of water.
- 14. Allow the particles to dry (approx. 16 hours).
- CAUTION: Explosive is shock and flame sensitive. Store explosive in a capped
- container.
- NOTE: The drying time can be reduced to 2 hours if a hot (not boiling) water
- bath is used. See Section I, No. 16.
- Section I
- No. 20
- PREPARATION OF LEAD PICRATE
- Lead picrate is used as a primary explosive in the fabrication of detonators
- (Section VI, No. 13. It is to be used with a booster explosive such as picric
- acid (Section I, No. 21) or RDX (Section I, No. 15).
- MATERIALS REQUIRED: SOURCES:
- ------------------- --------
- Litharge (lead monoxide) Section I, No, 18 or plumbing
- supplies
- Picric acid Section I, No. 21
- Wood alcohol (methanol) Paint removers; some antifreezes
- Wooden or plastic rod
- Dish or saucer (china or glass)
- Teaspoon
- Improvised Scale Section VII, No. 8
- Containers
- Flat pan
- Heat source (optional)
- Water (optional)
- PROCEDURE:
- ----------
- 1. Weigh 2 grams each of picric acid and lead monoxide. Place each in a sepa-
- rate container.
- 2. Place 2 teaspoons (10 milliliters) of the alcohol in a dish. Add the pic-
- ric acid to the alcohol and stir with the wooden or plastic rod.
- 3. Add the lead monoxide to the mixture while stirring.
- CAUTION: At this point the solution is a primary explosive. Keep away from
- flame.
- 4. Continue stirring the mixture until the alcohol has evaported. The mixture
- will suddenly thicken.
- 5. Stir mixture occasionally (to stop lumps from forming) until a powder is
- formed. A few lumps will remain.
- CAUTION: Be very careful of dry material forming on the inside of the container.
- 6. Spread this powdered mixture, the lead picrate, in a flat pan to air dry.
- NOTE: If possible, dry the mixture in a hot, not boiling, water bath for a per-
- iod of 2 hours.
- Section I
- No. 21
- PREPARATION OF PICRIC ACID FROM ASPIRIN
- Picric acid can be used as a booster explosive in detonators (Section VI,
- No. 13), a high explosive charge, or as an intermadiate to preparing lead pic-
- rate (Section I, No. 20) or DDNP (Section I, No. 19).
- MATERIALS REQUIRED:
- -------------------
- Aspirin tablets (5 grams per tablet)
- Alcohol, 95% pure
- Sulfuric acid, concentrated, (battery acid - boil until white fumes appear)
- Potassium Nitrate (Section I, No. 2)
- Water
- Paper towels
- Canning jar, 1 pint
- Rod (glass or wood)
- Glass containers
- Ceramic or glass dish
- Cup
- Teaspoon
- Tablespoon
- Pan
- Heat Source
- Tape
- PROCEDURE:
- ----------
- 1. Crush 20 aspirin tablets in a glass container. Add 1 teaspoon of water and
- work into a paste.
- 2. Add approximately 1/3 to 1/2 cup of alcohol (100 milliliters) to the
- aspirin paste; stir while pouring.
- 3. Filter the alcohol-aspirin solution through a paper towel into another
- glass container. Discard the solid left on the paper towel.
- 4. Pour the filtered solution into a ceramic or glass dish.
- 5. Evaporate the alcohol and water from the solution by placing the dish into
- a pan of hot water. White powder will remain in the dish after evaporation.
- NOTE: Water in pan should be at hot bath temperature, not boiling, approxi-
- mately 160 to 180 degrees Farenheit. It should not burn the hands.
- 6. Pour 1/3 cup (80 milliliters) of concentrated sulfuric acid into a canning
- jar. Add the white powder to the sulfuric acid.
- 7. Heat canning jar of sulfuric acid in a pan of simmering hot water bath for
- 15 minutes; then remove jar from the bath. Solution will turn to a yellow-
- orange color.
- 8. Add 3 level teaspoons (15 grams) of potassium nitrate in three portions
- to the yellow-orange solution; stir vigorously during additions. Solution will
- turn red, and then back to a yellow-orange color.
- 9. Allow the solution to cool to ambient or room temperature while stirring
- occasionally.
- 10. Slowly pour the solution, while stirring, into 1-1/4 cup (300 milliliters)
- of cold water and allow to cool.
- 11. Filter the solution through a paper towel into a glass container. Light
- yellow particles will collect on the paper towel.
- 12. Wash the light yellow particles with 2 tablespoons (25 milliliters) of
- water. Discard the waste liquid in the container.
- 13. Place particles in ceramic dish and set in a hot water bath, as in step 5,
- for 2 hours.
- Section I
- No. 22
- DOUBLE SALTS
- Double Salts is used as a primary explosive in the fabrications of detona-
- tors (Section VI, No. 13). It can be made in the field from silver (coins),
- nitric acid, calcium carbide, and water.
- MATERIALS REQUIRED:
- -------------------
- Nitric acid (90% conc.) (Section I, No. 4)
- Silver metal (silver coin, about 5/8 in. diameter)
- Calcium carbine (acetylene or calcium carbine lamps)
- Rubber and glass tubing (approx. 1/4 in. inside diameter)
- Paper towels
- Heat-resistant bottles or ceramic jugs, 1 to 2 quart capacity, and one cork to
- fit. (Punch hole in cork to fit tubing.)
- Teaspoon (aluminum, stainless steel or wax-coated) or equivalent measure
- Glass container
- Heat source
- Long narrow jar (olive jar)
- Tape
- Water
- Alcohol
- PROCEDURE:
- ----------
- 1. Dilute 2-1/4 teaspoons of nitric acid with 1-1/2 teaspoons of water in a
- glass container by adding the acid to the water.
- 2. Dissolve a silver coin (a silver dime) in the diluted nitric acid. The
- solution will turn to a green color.
- NOTE: It may be necessary to warm the container to completely dissolve the sil-
- ver coin.
- CAUTION: Acid will burn skin and destroy clothing. If any is spilled, wash it
- away with a large quantity of water. Do not inhale fumes.
- 3. Pour solution into a long narrow (olive) jar and place it in a bottle of
- hot water. Crystals will form in the solution; heat until crystals dissolve.
- 4. While still heating and after crystals have dissolved, place 10 teaspoons
- of calcium carbine in another glass bottle and add 1 teaspoon of water. After
- the reacion has started add another teaspoon of water. Then set up as shown.
- TTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTT
- ***T** \ T
- * T * Tubing *********
- ********** * T *
- * * T * * * T *
- * * T * * * T *
- * * * *-Bottle with * T *-Receiving jar with
- * * * * narrow jar. * * cork.
- * ****** * * *
- ********** *********
- HHHHHHHHHHHHHH-Heat source
- 5. Bubble acetylene through the solution for 5 to 8 minutes. A brown vapor
- will be given off and white flakes will appear in the silver solution.
- 6. Remove the silver solution from the heat source and allow it to cool. Fil-
- ter the solution through a paper towel into a glass container. Green crystals
- will collect on the paper.
- 7. Wash the solids collected on the paper towel with 12 teaspoons of alcohol.
- The solid material will turn white while the solvent in the container will have
- a green color.
- 8. Place the white solid material on a clean papaer towel to air dry.
- CAUTION: Handle dry explosive with great care. Do not scrape or handle roughly.
- Keep away from sparks or open flames. Store is cool, dry place.
- Section I
- No. 23
- SODIUM CHLORATE
- Sodium chlorate is a strong oxidizer used in the manufacture of explosives.
- It can be used in place of potassium chlorate (see Section I, No. 1).
- MATERIALS REQUIRED: SOURCES:
- ------------------- --------
- 2 carbon or lead rods (1 in. Dry cell batteries (2-1/2 in.
- diameter x 5 in. long) diameter x 7 in. long) or
- plumbing supply store
- Salt or, ocean water Grocery store or ocean
- Sulfuric acid, diluted Motor vehicle batteries
- Motor vehicle
- Water
- 2 wires, 16 gauge (3/64 in.
- diameter approx.), 6 ft.
- long, insulated
- Gasoline
- 1 gallon glass jar, wide mouth
- (5 in. diameter x 6 in. high
- approx.)
- Sticks
- String
- Teaspoon
- Trays
- Cup
- Heavy cloth
- Knife
- Large flat pan or tray
- PROCEDURE:
- ----------
- 1. Mix 1.2 cup of salt into the one gallon glass jar with 3 liters (3 quarts)
- of water.
- 2. Add 2 teaspoons of battery acid to the solution and stir vigorously for 5
- minutes.
- 3. Strip about 4 inches of insulation from both ends of the 2 wires.
- 4. With knife and sticks shape 2 strips of wood 1 x 1/8 x 1-1/2. Tie the wood
- strips to the lead or catbon rods so that they are 1-1/2 inches spart.
- 5. Connect the rods to the battery in a motor vehicle with the insulated
- wire.
- 6. Submerge 4-1/2 in. of the rods into the salt water solution.
- 7. With gear in neutral position, start the vehicle engine. Depress the acce-
- lerator approximately 1/5 of its full travel.
- 8. Run the engine with the accelerator in this position for 2 hours; then,
- shut it down 2 hours.
- 9. Repeat this cycle for a total of 64 hours while maintaining the level of
- the acid-salt water solution in the glass jar.
- CAUTION: This arrangement employs voltages which may be dangerous to personnel.
- Do not tough bare wire leads while engine is running.
- 10. Shut off the engine. Remove the rods from the glass jar and disconnect
- wire leads from the battery.
- 11. Filter the solution through the heavy cloth into a flat pan otr tray,
- leaving the sediment at the bottom of the glass jar.
- 12. Allow the water in the filtered solution to evaporate at room temperature
- (approx. 16 hours). The residue is approximately 60% or more sodium chlorate
- which is pure enough to be used as an explosive ingredient.
- Section I
- No. 24
- MERCURY FULMINATE
- -----------------
- Mercury Fulminate is used as a primary explosive in the fabrication of deto-
- nators (Section VI, No. 13). It is to be used with a booster explosive such as
- picric acid (Section I, No. 21) or RDX (Section I, No. 15).
- MATERIALS REQUIRED: SOURCES:
- ------------------- --------
- Nitric Acid. 90% conc. (1.48 Field grade (Section I, No. 4) or
- sp. gr.) industrial metal processors
- Mercury Thermometers, mercury switches,
- old radio tubes
- Ethyl (grain) alcohol (90%)
- Filtering material Paper towels
- Teaspoon measure (1/4, 1/2, and
- 1 teaspoon capacity) - alu-
- minum, stainless steel or
- wax-coated
- Heat source
- Clean wooden stick
- Clean water
- Glass containers
- Tape
- Syringe
- PROCEDURE:
- ----------
- 1. Dilute 5 teaspoons of nitric acid with 2-1/2 teaspoons of clean water in
- a glass container by adding the acid to the water.
- 2. Dissolve 1/8 teaspoon of mercury in the diluted nitric acid. This will
- yield dark red fumes.
- NOTE: It may be necessary to add water, one drop at a time, to the mercury-acid
- solution in order to start reaction.
- CAUTION: Acid will burn skin and destroy clothing. If any is spilled, wash it
- away with a large quantity of water. Do not inhale fumes.
- 3. Warm 10 teaspoons of the alcohol in a container until the alcohol feels
- warm to the inside of the wrist.
- 4. Pour the metal-acid solution into the warm alcohol. Reaction should start
- in less than 5 minutes. Dense white fumes will be given off during reaction. As
- time lapses, the fumes will become less dense. Allow 10 to 15 minutes to com-
- plete reaction. Fulminate will settle to bottom.
- CAUTION: This reaction generates large quantiries of toxic, flammable fumes.
- The process must be conducted outdoors or in a well ventilated area, away from
- sparks or open flames. Do not inhale fumes.
- 5. Filter the solution through a paper towel into a container. Crystals may
- stick to the side of the container. If so, tilt and squirt water down the sides
- of the container until all the material collects on the filter paper.
- 6. Wash the crystals with 6 teaspoons of ethyl alcohol.
- 7. Allow these mercury fulminate crystals to air dry.
- CAUTION: Handle dry explosive with great care. Do not scrape or handle it
- roughly. Keep away from sparks or open flames. Store in cool, dry place.
- Section I
- No. 25
- SODIUM CHLORATE AND SUGER OR ALUMINUM EXPLOSIVE
- An explosive munition can be made from sodium chlorate combinated with gran-
- ular suger, or aluminum powder. This explosive can be detonaded with a #8 com-
- mercial or a Military J-2 blasting cap.
- MATERIALS REQUIRED: SOURCES:
- ------------------- --------
- Sodium chlorate Section I, No. 23
- Granular sugar Food store
- Aluminum powder Paint Store
- Wooden rod or stick
- Bottle or jar
- Blasting cap
- Steel pipe (threaded at one
- end), end cap and tape
- Wax
- Measuring container (cup, quart,
- etc.)
- PROCEDURE:
- ----------
- 1. Add three volumes (cups, quarts, etc.) sodium chlorate to one volume alu-
- minum, or two granular sugar, in bottle or jar.
- 2. Mix ingredients well by stirrin with the wooden rod or stick.
- HOW TO USE:
- -----------
- 1. Wax blasting cap, pipe and end cap.
- 2. Thread end cap onto pipe.
- 3. Pour mixture into pipe.
- 4. Insert and tape blasting cap just beneath surface of mixture.
- NOTE: Confining the open end of the pipe will add to the effectiveness of the
- explosive.
- Pace, 1993. SWEDEN.
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