Perchlorate Used in Munitions As Early As 1944

The exact date perchlorate was first used in the production of military munitions is unknown. Various sources have dated the use of perchlorate in military munitions to the early 1950s. However, a document uncovered at the National Archives dates the use of Ammonium Perchlorate in military munitions further back in history to 1944.

The now de-classified document from the Navy Department Bureau of Ordnance dated 01 September 1944 is titled "Specifications For the Manufacture & Inspection of HC Smoke Pot Mark 3". The document outlines the specifications for the manufacture of the MK 3 Smoke Pot so that contractors could submit a bid to manufacture them for the Navy.

Page 5 of the 11-page document outlines the specifications for the composition and fineness of the ammonium perchlorate to be used in the manufacture of the MK 3 Smoke Pot. The 1944 document from the National Archives can be viewed using the download link below. The document also outlines the specifications for the other chemicals which make up the four pyrotechnic components of the MK 3 Smoke Pot including the scratcher, match head, starer, and HC smoke mixture. The list of chemicals in the MK 3 Smoke Pot pyrotechnic mixtures includes magnesium carbonate, calcium carbonate, ammonium chloride, zinc dust, hexachlorethane, potassium nitrate, fuzed silicon, potassium chlorate, antimony sulfide, dextrin, red phosphrous, and sand. According to the specifications, Ammonium Perchlorate makes up 6% of the 32 pound HC smoke mixture, which equates to 1.92 pounds.

UXOInfo.com is looking for other historic documents on perchlorate associated with military munitions. If you have any documents to share with the UXO community please email them to information@uxoinfo.com or post a comment to this article. Thank you.

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