Here is the first part of the lost Friction Primer page:
Friction Primer for Cannon (1863)
The friction primer for cannon is a small brass tube filled with gunpowder,
which is ignited by drawing a rough wire briskly through friction composition,
contained in a smaller tube inserted into the first, near the top, and soldered
at right angles to it. A lanyard, with a hook attached, is used to ignite the
primer.
The friction primer is composed of 1 large tube; 1 short tube; 1 wire rubber;
friction composition; musket powder; wax.
The long tube is made from a circular disk of No. 19 sheet-brass, 0.62 inch in
diameter, by means of a series of 5 punches and dies, gradually diminishing in
size to the last, which is of the required size of the tube. The brass must be
annealed before each punching.
The tube is cut to the prescribed length, measuring from the closed end, by
means of a circular saw, and the holes for the short tube and wire rubber are
drilled, and the burrs removed. Length of the long tube, 1.75 inch; exterior
diameter, .19 inch; interior diameter; interior diameter, .175 inch; diameter of
holes, .15 inch and .06 inch.
The short tube is formed from the long one by using two additional punches and
dies. reducing the size each time. It is cut to the proper length by circular
saws placed a the required distance apart, and the burr removed by rolling in a
barrel. Length of the short tube, 0.44 inch; exterior diameter, 0.15 inch;
interior diameter, .133 inch.
One end of the short tube is dipped into a solution of chloride of zinc,
inserted in the hole drilled in the long tube, heated to redness in the flame of
a spirit lamp, and soldered with a soft solder; it is then washed and dried.
The wire rubber is made of No. 16 brass wire, annealed, cut to the proper
length, and pressed flat a one end by a machine for that purpose. The flat end
is trimmed by a punch and die with dentated edges, and the tip is annealed ;in
the flame of a spirit lamp. Length of wire, 3.4 inches; length of flattened
end, 0.65 inch.
The friction composition is made of 2 parts of the sulphuret of antimony1 and 1
part of the chlorate of potassa2, moistened with gummed water - 50 grains of gum
arabic in 2 ounces of water to 1 pound of composition.
The materials are first pulverized separately, mixed together dry, moistened
with the gum water, and ground in an iron mill, such as is used for grinding
paint.
Charging and Varnishing. - The small tube is charged by pressing the open end
in the friction composition spread on a flat piece of iron and brought to the
consistency of soft putty, the long tube being closed its whole length with a
wooden or metal plug.
A conical hole is made in the composition, while yet moist, with a conical
drift, and the surplus composition removed; the wire rubber is passed through
the short tube and through the small hole in the long tube, the round end first,
leaving the annealed tip projecting out the open end, which is then closed by
pressing the top and bottom together firmly with pincers, and bending the tip
against the bottom.
The end of the wire rubber is doubled on itself and twisted, leaving a loop 0.2
inch diameter, and then bent alongside the long tube for packing.
The head of the long tube, including the short tube and the joint, is dipped
into shellac varnish colored with lampblack.
When dry, the long tube is filled with musket powder and closed with beeswax,
mixed with 1/3 its weight of pitch.
Both ends are touched with varnish and the tube thoroughly dried.
Packing - The tubes are first put up in bundles of 10 each, wrapped in water
proof paper; 10 bundles are packed in a tin box, painted or japanned: 100 tin
boxes are packed in a box made of 1-inch white pine boards, dovetailed.
The contents of the time box, place and year of fabrication, are stamped on the
lid, and the number of the box marked on the front side. The contents of the
wooden box, are marked on each end.
1Sulphuret of Antimony: The modern name for this is Antimony Trisulfide or
Antimony Sulfide.
2Chlorate of Potassa: The modern name for this is Potassium Chlorate.
If you can read Scandinavian languages,
http://www.chem.au.dk/~kemishow/brevkasse/fireworks.html" target="_blank">this page also references Joksch's old Friction Primer page.
