CARTRIDGE CASE

Learning Objectives:

1. Examine the functions of the parts of the

cartridge case.
2. Evaluate the significance of studying the
classifications of the cartridge cases in
crime investigation.
Cartridge case/ Shell/ Casing

 It is the part of the cartridge which houses the bullet,

gunpowder, and primer.

 This part has a significant contribution to the identification

of firearms because it receives the individual
characteristics from the firearm where it was fired,
extracted, and ejected.
 Parts of Cartridge Case
1. Rim – located on the base of the
cartridge case and is responsible
for limiting the forward movement
of the cartridge when loaded in the
chamber of a revolver or shotgun.

2. Primer Pocket – The hole at the

center of the base of the cartridge
is designed to house the primer.
3. Flash hole – The hole located at the
center of the primer pocket serves as
the canal of the ignition produced by
the primer towards the gunpowder.

4. Body – In order to develop sufficient

pressure, the heat should not be able
to escape during an explosion.

5. Neck – This part is occupied by the

bullet in a bottleneck cartridge case
and where the cannelure is located.
6. Cannelure – A serrated groove found at
the neck holds the bullet’s end part. It
prevents the bullet from being pushed back or
loosened.

7. Crimp – It is also a serrated groove located

inside the mouth of the cartridge case, which
aids the cannelure in holding the end portion
of the bullet.

8. Base – It is created when the cartridge

case is extracted out from the chamber and
pulled back towards the breech face.
9. Shoulder – This is a part of a
bottleneck cartridge case located
between the body and neck.

10. Extracting Groove – This refers

to the serrated groove located
between the cartridge case’s body
and case. It is created when the hand
of the extractor drags this part to
withdraw the cartridge case out from
the gun chamber.
 Classification of Cartridge Case according to Case
Shape
• Straight cartridge case – it is straight from the rear portion of
the body towards the mouth. Designed to accommodate the
standard amount of gunpowder as well as the caliber of bullet
of the pistol and revolvers.

• Bottle neck cartridge case – The diameter of its body is

greater than the diameter of its neck and mouth.

• Tapered cartridge case – Its design is tapered towards the

mouth. It was used in a magnum jet cartridge case of caliber.
 Classification of Cartridge Case
according to Head Form

• Rimmed Cartridge Case - The rim diameter is much

bigger than the body of the cartridge case. It is designed
so that the cartridge will not move forward after it is
loaded in the chamber of the said firearms.

• Semi-rimmed - This is appropriate for a semi-automatic

weapon. The diameter of its rim is a little bit bigger than
the body. Its rim does not serve to limit the forward
movement of the cartridge upon loading in the chamber.
• Rimless - It has a rim but its diameter is equal to the
body of the cartridge case.

• Rebated - The diameter of the rim is a little bit smaller

than its body.

• Belted - The rim is belted around the body of the

cartridge case.
Gunpowder

 Is a compound contained in a cartridge that is

responsible for propelling the projectile.

 This compound will undergo combustion when ignited by

the flash that came from the primer.
Two Types of Powder in Small Arms
• Black Powder
It is easily activated by heat and friction. Thus, it is the most
unsafe type of powder to keep. A large volume of smoke and
residue left in the barrel of the gun can be produced by this type of
powder.

The Standard Ingredients:

1. 75% of potassium nitrate
2. 10% of sulfur
3. 15% of charcoal
• Smokeless Powder

It is a propellant that does not give off a massive

cloud of white smoke like black powder when fired.
It is the most potent propellant in small arms.
Two main classes:

1. Single-base propellant (nitrocellulose) - It only

contains pure nitroglycerine gelatinized with
nitrocellulose. This type of propellant has a perfect shape
in grains like small squares, discs, flakes, strips, pellets,
or perforated cylindrical grains.

2. Double base propellant - has nitrocellulose and nitro-

glycerine as the significant ingredients mixed with minor
ingredients like vaseline phthalein esters and inorganic
salts.
End...