Test-Firing the Gun (Part One)

Eucommia Gum cartridge cases had the ability to thermally deform, so machines were used to roll-press the connection between the cartridge cases and powder chambers. First, hot water was heated with steam supplied through pipes, then the cartridge cases were soaked in the hot water to soften them. Once softened, they were placed in the machine and roll-pressed together with the copper powder chambers. After cooling, the two parts would be firmly joined.

Only after the first step of connecting the parts was complete could manual loading begin. Following Hu Jin's instructions, Qu Bing inserted the cartridge cases one by one into a metal plate with a hundred slots for cartridge cases. Then he filled the base on the bottom with the same number of primer cups. Finally, he turned down the hand-operated press above it to apply pressure, pressing the primers into the bases of the cartridge cases.

Next, chopped Double-Base Propellant was poured into a funnel plate, filling every cartridge case. After being shaken evenly by hand, paper wad cups were pressed in. Then the funnel plate was used to pour eight large-diameter Lead Shot into each cartridge case. Finally, thermal forming was used to seal every opening in the cartridges. Only then was a single shotgun shell considered complete.

Using this manual loading machine, a hundred shotgun shells could be loaded at once. Qu Bing, a temporary worker who had only just started, could basically operate one cycle in ten minutes. The speed was extremely slow—an average of only ten shotgun shells per minute—but for the Han Tribe, which did not need much ammunition, this speed was still acceptable.

Especially once the workers became proficient, Luo Chong carefully estimated that one cycle could probably be completed within three minutes. That loading speed would be much faster.

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