Cartridge Case

I Introduction

A container, usually metal and cylindrical in shape, to be

loaded with a primer, powder charge, and bullet, after loading
it becomes a complete cartridge of which the case is but one
element. Commonly made of brass, but some modern cartridge cases
are made of steel, aluminum, or other materials such as shell,
case, casing, brass, some call them Shell casing.

The cartridge case is the largest and often most expensive part
of a cartridge. It is usually tubular in structure and mostly
made of metal, closed at the base except for a primer pocket.
The shape can be straight, tapered or bottle necked according to
the calibre and design.

Though "cartridges" existed as early as ca. 1570 (NRA 1989:35),

the metal encased form currently manufactured was an outgrowth
of the development of ignition (priming) compounds created by
mixing fulminates and other explosive materials for use in
percussion cap weapons.

Cartridge Life A well made cartridges have a life of 10 years

some have only 5 -6 years.

45 years or more depend upon the surrounding of the cartridge

and climate, damp, warn, condition.

II Order of classification

Cartridge case class characteristics

1. Cartridge case according to shape

a. straight
All rim fire shell and most center fire revolver cartridges
that are new manufactured have straight cases.
 b. Tampered
Is very rare but presently being used in the so called magnum
jet cartridges cal. 22

c. Bottle neck
Most modern center fire rifle cartridges cases are of bottle
neck types. Since this case form provided the greatest powder
capacity commensurate with over all case length.

2. Cartridge case according to head formation

a. RIMMED designed to use in revolvers, the diameter of the

base of the cartridges is very much bigger than the diameter of
the body of the cartridges. straight type cartridge
found in cal. 30 (carbine) .32, .38 and .35

b. SEMI-RIMMED designed to be used in automatic weapons like

pistols and sub-inactive gums such as super .38 uz1, 9mm.
Normally found at the crime scene because they are automatically
ejected for easy firing of the firearm.

c. RIMLESS case within the diameter of the body of the

cartridges is the same as the diameter of the cartridges case.
Use in automatic pistols such as cal.45 Thompson Sub-machine gun
and cal.45 grease gun. Automatically ejected like semi-rimmed
type.

1. Cartridge case according to caliber

cal.22 used in revolvers, pistols and rifles

cal.25 used in pistols and rifles
cal.30 used in carbine and other rifles
cal.32 used in automatic pistols and revolvers
cal.380 used in pistols
cal.38 used in revolvers
cal.357 used in .357 revolvers (magnum)
cal.44 used in magnum revolvers
cal.44 used in automatic pistols
cal.50 used in cal.50 machine gun (not use in crimes)

2. Cartridge according to composition

Brass
Steel
Plastic
Aluminum
Shell case
 Cartridge case individual characteristics

1. Firing pin impressions

2. Breech face marks
3. Ejector marks
4. Extractor marks

FUNCTION:

1. It serves as a means whereby the bullet, gunpowder

and primer are assembled into a unit.

2. It serves as a waster proof contained for gunpowder.

3. It prevents the escape of the gases to the rear as the

sidewalls of the cartridges cases are forced against the
walls of the chamber by the pressure. It serves as the
gas seal at the breech end of the barrel.

III Conclusion

Cartridge cases can be identified as ha ving been fired

by a specific firearm. As soon as cartridges are loaded
into a firearm the potential for the transfer of unique
tool marks exists. However, the cartridge does not have
to be fired for these marks to be transferred. Simply
loading a cartridge into a firearm can cause unique
identifiable marks that can be later identified.

Through the above mentioned classification, cartridge

cases may be identifi ed as to the composition, shape, and
head formation as well as to the individual
characteristic s.