Anyone recognizing this Tube?

**Colin** · 12-27-2011, 02:58 PM

This one ik have already for a while without knowing what it is.

Its a Tube, with at one side thread for screwing on a cap.
Messurements are 33cm length by 4cm width, with some armygreen still on it. The material is to be called not robust.
There are no markings or writings to find on it. It does though looks like it had an etiquet on it.

Please your reactions.

**tiffy** · 12-28-2011, 01:28 PM

It looks like a tube to contain guncotton primers, I think you might find a photo on the Mills grenade web site. I have a primer box with an original tube and repro primers. If I ever learn to I'll post a picture on the forum.
Happy New Year to all
Tiffy

**Colin** · 12-28-2011, 06:30 PM

Thanks tiffy!!
I think that's the one

At least it looks the same. I'm happy

Also found the image you mentioned.
http://www.millsgrenades.co.uk/image...ton%20tins.JPG
Now i have to find out what that was used for.

**NickW** · 12-28-2011, 07:50 PM

Definitely MkII 1oz guncotton primer tube - I have one somewhere too - Have seen a few references to them being part of the standard demolition charge kit and also used in a few Home Guard improvised weapons too - IIRC the Flame Fougasse was one.

**Colin** · 12-28-2011, 10:12 PM

Thanks to you to Nick!
Thanks to both of you to me too now it is definatly a gun cotton tin

Still looking on the internet, but i can't find the exact use of it.
Is it flamable cotton to ignite something? Or just to clean something?

**alclark** · 12-29-2011, 02:21 AM

Look up Cellulose Trinitrate. In short it is cotton which has been treated with concentrated nitric & sulphric acid (in a heated mixture), the cellulose structure of the cotton is altered with the loss of some hydroxide ions (OH) and their replacement with nitrate ions (NO2). It burns readily at 1 atmosphere and close to explosively when encased.