RAGNAR’S |.

HGBh
OFHOMEMADE WEAPONS |
Building and |
Keeping Your
Arsenal Secure
Ragnar Benson
 O
CONTIN
Introduction 1 PART TWO
Homemade Grenade Launchers 47
PART ONE
Mantrapping 7 Chapter 10
TNO GUCCION icc.ccseevcsvccsctdcenseserenesocesonbaddedenedees 49
Chapter 1
Chapter 11
aiteatiete 9
toeuee
Introduction .....sseceeseees FsSuesvesseupee Home Construction Of An M79......sssseseseres 51

Chapter 2 Chapter 12 : C)
PHilOSOPHY ....s.sscseseseeereeeteseeseneerscnsessesenenees 11 Home Construction of an M203.......cseeeres 57

Chapter 3 PART THREE

TYIQQCTS ..ssessesersrsssecsecerseessensessrenssesecesserseetenees 15 Breath of the Dragon 63

Chapter 4 ; Chapter 13
Pit TLOp ....sccssessesreseerereresssessonsonseessssecersecensesen 23. INtFOGUCTION .........cscessoeserseeseeetersceereeesseernenes 65

Chapter 5 Chapter 14
Sheepeater’s ROCKFAIL.......sceeseesererersseererereee 27 History Of Flamethrower ........-ssssssseesreesrenes 67

Chapter 15
Chapter 6 -
Construction of a Flamethrower ........ceceeeee 73
Cuban Water Trp... ceccscsscrserseceesesseereeene 31
Chapter 16
Chapter 7 : Manufacturing Napalm .......cscecseeseesseseees 83
Spike Trap .is.secssssecssesessseseesssnecesseeseescescesenesess 35
PART FOUR
Chapter 8 Home and Recreational
Jurngle SNOTe ......sesereccessseereseetecetereenareesenseneses 39 Use of High Explosives 89

Chapter 9 Chapter 17
Jack The Tank Killer... ssaantatastatebedias 43 INtrOdUCTION ......,-.cseseseeetseerserere eessrsscnte 9 C)
\
 Ragnar’s Big Book of Homemade Weapons
Chapter 18 Chapter 31
BaSic Procedures .........cccssssessssscscosessercesecenens Mortar Deployment ........cscsssssssesessessseeseees 173

Chapter 19 Chapter 32
Doing the Work.......ccscssesssenssssssseseiesseceeees Home Construction of a Working Mortar...177
Chapter 20 PART EIGHT
Improvised Detonating Caps........ssceseeee Claymores 185
PART FIVE Chapter 33
Homemade C-4 121 Claymore Background .......c.cesssessssesseeseeneees 187
Chapter 21 Chapter 34
INtrOdUCTION ........secsssssessesecesesecsessesencesecesees Claymore Mine Deployment .........s.cescces0000 191

Chapter 22 Chapter 35
Ammonium Nitrate .......cssccsssssseesecessscsees Home Construction of Claymore Mineg......195
Chapter 23 PART NINE
Nitromethane...........sessscssssvssccsscssesesssessseees Modern Weapons Caching 201

Chapter 24 Chapter 36
Home Manufacture Of C-4 vo. .eccscssssseceseee INtFOGUCTION ........sessssssesnesscecstsessesessvsees server 203
e.. apter 25 Chapter 37
The Finished Product..!.....ccsscsesssssssessesesceees Caching and You........scscsessssssessesssssnvensenees 205
Chapter 26 Chapter 38
CONCLUSION... iescesseseeseeesessscscsecessecnssucseceses Modern Caching Technology .....e.ssssessessees 211
PART SIX Chapter 39
Grenades 145 Caching vs. Hiding.........ccsesssssscssssesrseccessees 221

Chapter 27 ; Chapter 40
BOCkQTOUN ......sesssesesssssssessescessssersessececness Outsmarting the Enemy........csscsssscessesseees 227

Chapter 28 PART TEN

Use of Homebuilt Hand Grenades............+.. Gunrunning for Fun and Profit 231
Chapter 29 Chapter 41
Home Construction of Hand Grenades....... IMtrOdUCtiOn «00.0... ..sessecsessersssessseonssersseserssnes 233

PART SEVEN Chapter 42

Mortars 167 Making Comnections..........ccsscsssssseessssesseees 237

Chapter 30 Chapter 43
or" Background.......csessssssosececssssscseseeee Markets iis.cscccsssecisssbiocsilccsudsonsaiestiosdavesubeovs’ 241
Building and Keeping Your Arsenal Secure

Chapter 44 Chapter 48 C)
Sources of Supply........seees Desvapduilesecencritescls 249 Getting Paid ..;........... tadesssissatpeiesivesveniectevise 273

Chapter 45 Chapter 49 ae
Shipping and Delivery ......s.ccessesesssereerrrens 257 Practical Advice for Getting Started ............ 277

Chapter 46 . Conclusion 279

Suitcase Running ......... raaslusedestsleeigenetavecseesees® 263

Chapter 47
Making Gunrunning a Business ..........6+64-269
 - INTRODUCTION

When the idea for Ragnar’s Big Book of I knew why I thought the book was needed.
Homemade Weapons first came up, I was really In this increasingly restrictive climate we live
excited. I knew that it was exctly the kind of in, this book was to be a final hedge against
book that I would buy if someone else had governmental and societal encroachment.
written it. The general idea was to gather They might make weapons and explosives ille-
together under one cover information about gal, but they’ll never take them—not as long
all the weapons and explosives one could as you've read the information in this book
build himself to protect himself, his family, and heeded its advice. They might even make
and his property—or just to enjoy if he hap- books like this illegal in the future—but they
pens to be a powder monkey or weapons wiz- could not take away the knowledge and skills
ard like me—as well as all the practical sur- ‘learned from it.
vival skills necessary to keep his arsenal safe. The essence of self-sufficiency is realizing
Some of the material would come from my and agreeing to the truth that you are best
Hel
aati previous explosives and weapons books. | served by being in control of your own destiny.
knew that I would have to review and update This means staying off government lists,
the information to pass along the latest inno- maintaining a low profile, and, above all, pos-
vations and test results. Looking over my pre- sessing the resources and skills necessary to
Beye
as
vious books, I saw that a big book of home- decide your own fate.
made weapons should include C-4, grenade It isn’t necessarily that society has grown
launchers, flamethrowers, and high explo- more complex, as many of the freedom-grab-
Sives as well as sections on weapons caching, bing leftists maintain. It seems that the United
gunrunning, and mantrapping. States has grown into a collection of beggars
My excitement mounted when I realized who genuinely believe government can solve
that I’d also have to come up with new materi- their problems. In that regard we have
al on explosives I had not yet written about. weapons laws, environmental laws, drug laws,
For example, I had not yet gotten around to building laws, farming laws, and personal
grenades, mortars, or claymores. That meant social codes (always somebody else’s).
a whole new round of building and experi- Most of these would have been totally
menting with these explosives until 1 had the unthinkable in our society even a relatively
formulas and directions down pat. “What few years ago. Instead of minding our own
luck,” I thought. Then I realized that I’d have business we mind the other guy's business for
to write an introduction to the book to explain him, driving our entrepreneurs away, destroy-
the book’s purpose. That was a bit tougher. ing our economy, and pushing society into a
| FeEsirens

Ragnar’s Big Book of. Homemade Weapons

hopeless cul de sac from which there seems to

be no rescue.
Because our lives as loners are viewed as
Failure on the part of our elected officials to
solve the triple scourge of oppressive taxation,
inflated bureaucratic budgets, and economy-
O
undesirable at best and illogical at worst, crippling regulations is not the only reason
many people find it not only convenient but Given turned his back on what appeared to be
necessary to operate with a great deal of an attractive life. He had traveled around the
obscurity. This is especially true in relation to world sufficiently to explore much of its dark
the use of high explosives and heavy weapons. underbelly. He knows only too well that, in
After deciding what should go into the addition to government, there are many other
book, I thought about the kind of person who threats to his survival and well-being, not the
would benefit from it. The first person to came least of which is Mother Nature, who can be,
to mind was my‘good friend Maurice Given, and often is, a real bitch,
who shares my survivalist philosophy (as well He experienced Bangladesh, Ethiopia,
as my love of high explosives
and heavy Uganda, Beirut, and the Philippines firsthand.
weapons). We live not far from each other as He saw that many disasters, causing tens of
the crow flies but on opposite sides of the thousands of deaths, were started by Mother
mountain, and we ground-bound crows some- Nature but magnified and exacerbated by
times find it tough to neighbor. At the time we strong central governments similar to those in
met, Given had come to live in my part of the the-United States.
world, leaving behind what many would The best formula for disaster, he vehement-
describe as a glamorous existence. He chose ly claims, occurs when Mother Nature strikes a
his new self-reliant life-style because he felt it blow in the form of a flood, earthquake, vol-

O
was best for him and his family psychological- cano, or forest fire, and those affected are con-
ly, financially, and physically. ditioned to rely not on themselves but on gov-
Given was fortunate to have enough cash ernment agencies and programs. Your only
to purchase 160 acres ofbasically remote, safety net is the one you carry around in your
inaccessible land. Fortune also smiled on him head, he often tells his friends.
when he went land shopping in that he found During the twenty-year interval since he
a suitable tract with a good water well, healthy left this country, Given claims to have seen
growing timber, and patches of deep, rich gar- _Americans degenerate from basic, self-
den soil. reliant, confident, prosperous people to bitter,
Given has what he has been told isa i fully contentious people who make their way
funded annuity from the government. Yet he through.life by searching for someone else to
is no fool. He realizes that his monthly check blame their problems on and government
comes out of current government deficits programs to set things right for them. Govern-
and there is no such thing as a fully funded ment is not a milk cow with 248 million tits,
government annuity. He knows govern- he excitedly proclaims.
ments can and do go broke (or more fre- Neither of us would be classified as young
quently renege on their promises) and that idealists. But working together as much as was
to rely on the retirement check that he sup- prudent and possible, we set out to build an
posedly purchased with payroll deductions . obscure yet secure life-style. We addressed our
is the height of stupidity. needs in a practical manner, as do most ratio-
’ Twenty-five percent of the people in Given’s nal survivors.
profession never made.it to their twenty-year The first need we took care of was food and
retirement. He hasn't come all this way relying water, followed by shelter, energy, security,
on government for his well-being. Confidence and then self-fulfillment and creativity.

@
in government is, in his own words, the ulti- Perhaps uniquely, we found our greatest enjoy-
mate oxymoron, or hopeless contradiction. ment—read self-fulfillment and creativity—
 Building and Keeping Your Arsenal Secure
;
: making and using high explosives and manu- uals to tough it through based on their past
facturing heavy ordnance. experience and knowledge.
' Given, like me, is familiar-and comfortable In that regard, knowledge is power. Perhaps
a correlation exists between those who wish to
| with both high explosives and large-bore ord-
nance. Familiarity in this case does not breed withhold knowledge while simultaneously
either contempt or paranoia. We realize full wishing to enforce their own social agenda on
well that it would be stupidly easy to kill or us. Many of the devices and explosives listed
maim ourselves manufacturing and using herein are now illegal. For many years they
high explosives, flamethrowers, and heavy weren’t. However, books telling the general
weapons. Because we know, respect, and enjoy public how to do make explosives are still pro-
—in their way—high explosives, we havea . tected by the First Amendment.
tremendous advantage when pursuing our Supposedly, our right to unencumbered
way of life. ownership of firearms is protected by the
Without C-4, for instance, exploding war- Second Amendment, but everyone in this
heads from our 40mm rounds, claymores, and business knows what is happening to these
mortars would not be possible. Coincidentally, rights. Having this relatively inexpensive sin-
we might require homemade C-4 to take out gle-source weapons book available may be
the only bridge on the only road to our retreat. the best insurance one can purchase. And as 1
It also may be necessary to cut steel girders, stated earlier, it may not be legal to buy or
break concrete, or deal with a military-type even own this book in the very near future.
vehicle by using our flamethrower. My guess is that this book will be completely
Building and operating heavy weapons prohibited in Canada and England right now.
such as 80mm mortars and flamethrowers is I realize full well that not everyone can
not only entertaining, sans bureaucratic B.S., move to the sparsely populated country where
it is also inexpensive. Hobby builders can easi- they take up a semisubsistence life. It may be
ly expect to produce an M-79 mortar or big the best scenario for those who wish to remain
batch of claymore mines for as little as $50! independent, yet I know that living in some of
Flamethrowers cost a bit more and are techni- the medium-size and smaller cities in the
cally more complex, but even these done at United States is, at this time, quite easy. We
home are not prohibitively expensive. Americans are not threatened right now.
Considering our experience out in the wide There is a strong temptation to stay where one
world, neither Given nor I believe that condi- is comfortable. ;
tions will stay the same. It is obvious to us that Additionally, most people who really look
dramatic changes do occur and that they at a subsistence life-style are put off by the
greatly impact people who are unprepared hard work they face. It seems probable that if
and inflexible. Just as the gardens we tend and one is not born to this, he will have huge prob-
firewood we gather to stretch our budgets may lems adapting to it. Given, to his advantage,
soon become absolutely essential in the near was born to it, left it fora while, marrieda
future, our weapons, now a hobby or curiosity, lady born to it, and decided to reenter it.
could be the difference between surviving and Many well-meaning, intelligent, hard-
becoming government wards. working readers will continue to live where
That is not to say that either of us is predict- they are, near high-paying jobs, housing, fam-
ing imminent collapse, only that we know that ily, and friends, and where opportunities for
throughout the world, it is common.for govern- self-reliance must be pushed rather than hav-
ments—in conjunction with Mother Nature— ing them push you. Living in the city does not
to induce situations that destroy thousands of preclude learning how to make and use heavy
people at a whack. When it happens, what one weapons, high explosives, or scrounging loads
.Sees is what one gets. It is entirely up to individ- of firewood out in the country. It does make it
‘oreh

Ragnar’s Big Book of. Homemade Weapons

a bit more work, but the rewards are still there. seat, a town of about 12,000 people. The near-
Everyone should, for instance, practice grow- est place with gas stations and a phone was
ing a garden wherever they are so that when eighteen miles away. As it ultimately always is
the time comes, they know how to do so in ‘anyway, we were personally responsible for
their own soil and, in theory, their own cli- law and order on our own property.
mate zone. By doing so, they cut down dra- Our first real project after taking ownership
matically on current food bills. and walking the property boundaries was to
City people can participate in the adven- punch a single-lane road—with. truck
ture of self-reliance, it just takes more time and turnouts—into the central building area.
‘effort and, in some cases, additional smarts. Fortunately, our road passed through a long,
To some extent, my life as a hermit ona moun- low marshy area and across two creeks.
tain prevents me from really understanding Building the road required that we blast
how city people think. I do know, however, through several rock outcroppings and then
that people in cities have far more access to crush the rock for gravel fill. We hand-drilled
chemicals and manufacturéd goods than is the blast holes and rigged up a small crusher
available to me in the twillies. When I wish to we rebuilt to run off our tractor’s belt pulley.
build a mortar, for instance, I must either wait Local authorities did not want us to have
for a long time, pay more money, or do with- and use explosives. We solved that problem by
out needed parts. People in cities simply go mixing up our own explosives that we used to
immediately to the store and buy what they clear land, remove rock, and build road.
need. This book has a lot of practical informa- _ Even though we were too far from their
tion for them. offices for the agency people to harass us

©
On the other hand, some people will choose comfortably, they decided to give it a try any-
to get as far away from “civilization” as pos- way: Fortunately, they were unsure about
sible. The best, most completely self-support- anything going on back at the retreat. We did
ing retreat I built was located on 1,700 acres of not allow any delivery vehicles into the build-
rolling third-growth timberland in far western ing area, electing instead to truck everything
North Carolina. There were two families from town ourselves.
involved, plus some of our ‘grown children ' Their first concern was our alleged rock
along with friends who visited for weeks ata crusher, leading to construction of an unau-
time to assist with the heavy construction. thorized road over flowing streams and
Looking back at it, I wonder how we kept through marshland that was home for some
everyone productively employed. But we did. local muskrats.
Everyone put in fourteen-hour days for about Setting up an industrial activity outside the
a year until the main elements of our retreat correct manufacturing zone was a violation,
were completed. they warned us. Proper zone or no, I thought,
Land for the project was purchased bya it’s our property, and we should be able to do
wealthy Chicago businessman who wanted as we please as long as we hurt no one, Of
the place put in top shape_as insurance course, we didn’t tell them that, electing
against the time when everything in Chicago instead to ignore their complaints.
turns to worms, As soon as we could, we put in “What you are dong is probably a violation
a gravel-underlaid sod air strip and wind sock. of the rules,” one of them hollered into the
We also buried some fuel tanks. All of this phone one day. “We must have an on-site
would have gotten us in trouble with the FAA inspection.”
and the EPA, but there was no one to tell them. We knew it was time for more drastic mea-
Other than the wind sock, it was tough to tell a sures, In the interim between telephone call

2
landing strip lay there. and inspection, we punched an alternate side,
“We were located forty miles from the county road up along the ridge away from our settle-
 Building and Keeping Your Arsenal Secure

ment site. Toward the end of the road, we care- Other than the phone, we did not want to
fully built an excellent mantrap—which in bring public utilities onto the property.
erence
this case it was actually a truck trap. This time we had a much more thorough
When the county planner called, ordering plan in mind. :
us to unlock our gate, we, of course, did so. Two huge railroad iron posts set in a yard
We also put up an easily removed sign at the of concrete held a solid welded-steel gate in
fork in the road, directing them to the trap at place four miles up the road from the camp-
the dead end. site. Deep cuts next to the road precluded
Sure enough, in their greed to enforce driving around.
their petty regulations, collecting perhaps The bureaucrats called several times from
$45 in permit fees, they drove down the end the county seat trying to set a date foran
of the road where they were unceremonious- inspection. We simply set the answering
ly dumped—truck and all—down intoa machine to talk to them. Things draggedon
ravine, In this one case, government regula- that way for the better part of a year till we
tions provided a benefit. They were both had most of our planned permanent buildings
wearing seat belts so, although the truck up and in use. We had fields planted, livestock
rolled once completely, no one was harmed. in pens, cattle grazing, etc. By then, we were
They were badly shaken up, and the truck pretty well self-sufficient.
was totaled but, most important, they didn’t About the only thing we needed from town
realize it was a trap. was a few barrels of diesel for the tractor and
At our signal, our wives and kids fired off generator, spare parts that came mail order,
several charges of C-4 on the bare ground near bags of cement, chemicals, seed, and at times
our building sites half a mile away. Noise from some food, hardware, and medicine. We
the throaty blasts roiled around the hills ina picked most of these up on our once-a-month
most insolent manner. By now the pair were so forays to town. Things were well enough in
fearful of us and our property that they quick- hand that we thought about moving on.
ly took advantage of our offer of a ride back Finally, the bureaucrats talked a sheriff's
into town. Two of the kids took them out on deputy into walking in from the gate to our
their motorcycles. house and barn area. There were six of them. It
Because of our remote location, we success- was a muggy, hot spring day when they came
fully billed the county $400 to pull their pick- in. Because they were semiafraid we might
up back up on the road. Regular tow operators shoot, they called ahead, giving us time to pre-
didn’t want to go that far and were asking pare. It was obvious that they were unsure of
much more money to do the job. their moral and ethical reasons for the visit. All
As a result of this incident, we were able to they had on their side were some.laws that four
drive two water wells down, lay our household men in town had passed one evening.
water pipe, and install the large master septic As they approached, most of us walked up
system without interference. No one really on into a little wooded area on a hill. We sat
knew what was going on. The county sanitari- down in the brush out of sight but certainly
an just stayed in his office. not out of mind. Several of the women stayed
Later in the fall, we did have another prob- behind to profess ignorance and to take what-
lem when our pond started to fill. It was about ever messages they cared to leave.
ten acres in size, averaging about six feet deep. These inspectors did not snoop arounda
The dam itself rose sixteen feet from the great deal for fear of our nasty, free-ranging rot-
stream floor. We desperately needed the pond tweilers. They contented themselves with trying
to provide fire protection, to raise fish for the to stay away from the dogs while they nervous-
table, and to generate a small amount of elec- ly looked about for the main party of people.
tricity as a backup for the diesel generator. About the most productive thing they did was
—

Ragnar’s Big Book of Homemade Weapons

* grumble about no permit from the Corps of
Engineers for the dam and resulting ponds as
‘well as the obvious buildings for which no
“these petty bureaucrats will not expend energy
to read this book.
The information contained in this book
O
county permit had been issued. Our ladies told was. in part learned from and applied in this
them we were out checking our traps, but that experience. Our expertise with demolitions
- they would surely pass the message on.. “and weapons gave us an upper handin
In less than an hour, they grew tired of establishing our self-sufficient retreat and
standing in the hot sun listening to big dogs discouraging the bothersome bureaucrats
snap their jaws. After they left, they sent sever- who wanted to peek around and tell us what
al nasty letters, but we contented ourselves to do on our own land.
with ignoring them. As indicated, this material is dedicated to
It has been almost ‘five years now. the self-reliant person who also enjoys fooling
Apparently the matter has fallen into a black around with heavy weapons, explosives, and
“hole. They no longer try to contact us or other- retreat defense, as well as to the person who
wise offer harassment. They must have con- simply wants to live his life in anonymity.
cluded that there are easier, more convenierit - Good luck, and I hope this information will be
targets for their petty rules. Perhaps one of the of real value to you. It has been to me—in the
lessons of this incident is to try to site one’s above examples as well as many other
retreat in a poor county with weak, ineffective instances. I guarantee you will not find any-
government. Perhaps this accounting will stir thing like it in the average “eat nuts and
ahem up again, but lam reasonably sure that berries” survival book.

S
 CHAPTER 1

INTRODUCTION

Without question, man can be the most dif- People using primitive tools and materials
ficult animal on earth to trap. Humans are might be able to trap several members of one
certainly more intelligent than any other crea- patrol. Yet to continue to do so on a regular
ture. Except in rare instances, however, they basis would, in most cases, be beyond their
do not possess the individual sensory keenness capacity. A modern army, ignoring the few
that other species of mammals do. Yet man’s casualties it sustained, would send in still larg-
collective senses—good sight, excellent percep- er, more mechanized forces until their primi-

O
tion of color and depth, some sense of smell, tive adversaries were overwhelmed by sheer:
adequate hearing, and reasonable taste—pro- numbers and attrition. ;
vide him with an edge over species having one
or, at the most, two, very well-developed senso- A PSYCHOLOGICAL THREAT
ry mechanisms.
A cage-raised mink that inadvertently finds This is not to say that the havoc such resis-
its way to freedom is extremely easy to trap. tance might create would not be individually
Not so with its wild cousin, who can be as wily lethal. The force a mantrap exhibits can
and cunning as any animal in North America. indeed be deadly, particularly in a psychologi-
cal sense.
MAN’S SENSORY ADVANTAGE FOR Today, mantrapping naturally has evolved
TERRITORIAL PROTECTION into the science of booby-trapping. Modern
booby-trappers use explosives, complex elec-
Societies that still practice mantrapping tronic devices, and space-age fabrication pro-
tend to live close to the earth. For them, it is cesses to produce contrivances that, when left
naturalto progress from trapping small and secretly behind, will kill or maim the enemy.
big game to protecting their home territory
with mantraps. NOT BOOBY TRAPS—PRIMITIVE
Americans and members of other urban- ORIENTATION
ized civilizations have not fared very well on a
one-to-one basis against societies that have Many texts and military manuals have
attempted to mantrap them. But, because sub- been written about booby-trapping. An espe-
sistence tribes tend to be small, suffering cially great proliferation of these books
mightily from a high infant mortality rate, occurred after the U.S. Viemam experience.
they have never posed much of a total threat Booby traps are not what this book is nit)
to civilizations like ours. Rather, it is about constructing primitiy,
 _Ragnar's Big Book of Homemade Weapons

Qe devices using only hand saws, traveling the world on special assignments
axes, shovels, rope or wire, and knives. The over the past thirty years. In field use, these
assumption throughout this book is that the mantraps do work. In fact, it has been my sad
reader will not have explosives, detonating misfortune to lose a number of close associates
devices, flammable liquids, manufactured to these deadly efficient—however crude—
chemicals or any other modern instrument of devices. Put another way, they do an excellent
war at his disposal. Nor will I assume the tools job of separating the ranch minks from the
available to you be any more sophisticated wild ones. ;
than a chain saw which, of course, could be
replaced by a hand saw or axe. ANTHROPOLOGICAL AND
There are a number of reasons for sticking HISTORICAL INTEREST
exclusively with primitive-type traps. Anybody
who wants information about modern booby I also feel that this work should be of inter-
traps can get it out of any number of easily est to anthropologists and historians. For
obtained texts on the subject. though mantraps have played an important
Perhaps most importantly, to know how to role in many primitive societies, they have
set a trap for your enemy is also to know how never been thoroughly discussed in any other
to avoid being trapped yourself. book. Since many of these tribes are dying
out, this information may well have passed
A DEFENSIVE TOOL into oblivion if I had not written Mantrapping
in 1981. :
Mantrapping, which is almost always During the last fifty years, Americans have
defensive in nature, can doubtlessly be used to pretty well forgotten the art of trapping in gen-
elp win wars. Where the terrain is rugged eral, Many otherwise astute military people
nough and the country expansive, traps can have little idea that devices such as mantraps
be set that so demoralize the attackers they are still around. To some extent, the use of
will come to the conclusion that the game is booby traps in southeast Asia changed this.
not worth the candle. For years the Jivaros of
the upper Amazon River basin successfully MODERN SOLDIERS PAY HEED
used traps as part of their defense against
European intrusion. Fidel Castro killed Batista Yet for the most part, the average modern
soldiers in mantraps, and the early Indians of soldier is ill prepared for a falling log or rolling
North America often set traps for one another. stone, Obscurity notwithstanding, these are
Currently, Afghanistan rebels and guerrilla good reasons for the truly prepared freedom
fighters are using rock traps in the mountains fighter to study mantrapping. This book cov-
to trap government tanks and other armor. ers many of the best devices. Hopefully, it will
The mantrapping sets described in this help you be prepared when the time comes. If
book are typical, and are based on actual sys- nothing else, it should keep your own ass out
tems that I have personally encountered while of someone else’s sling.

10
 CHAPTER 2

PRILOSOPEY
A good trapper is a shrewd outdoorsman ty to accomplish this, much less the mentality
who has an eye for detail. A successful that would allow such a thing in their culture.
mantrapper is an incredibly shrewd outdoors-
man who notices every detail around him. CHOOSING A LOCATION

A SOMALIAN EXAMPLE Traps set for people must be made in har-

mony with the surrounding country, main-
I remember well my days tracking dnd then taining a complete paranoid emphasis on
trapping men on the east coast of Africa. We every detail. : ©)
used Somali.trackers exclusively. These peo- The trap has to fit the place in which it is
ple’s perception of detail was, and believe still constructed. If one is going to roll logs down a
is, the best in the world. Time after time I was hill, there have to be logs occurring naturally
totally awed by the accurate description they in the immediate area. Do not plan on bring-
gave me of the number, age, and strength of ing in bushels of stones, for instance, where
forces they evaluated on the basis of tracks in none exist, or digging pits in swamps or on the
the bush that I couldn't even see. tops of rocky mountains, ~~
The final conclusive argument in favor of All existing cover must be utilized. Pay
these people being the best there is came one attention to the kinds of brush and grass that
day when my interpreter drew me into a dis- are native to the immediate area. What is the
cussion about trees. We were to travel south color of the subsoil? Do not attempt to use a
by foot for about thirty kilometers, where we limb to hide a rope that is from a tree ofa
were to meet a second group at a prespecified variety that does not grow within one hun-
baobab tree. To my amazement, I learned dred meters of the set.
that the Somalis have more than a dozen Dead grass is a dead giveaway, if there is no
words just to describe the shape of baobabs. It other like it within sight. Dried and withered
was very possible and quite common for branches are also taboo.
them to describe an individual tree so exactly When any trap is set, the surrounding area
that a person who had never seen it before must be altered as little as possible. Many
could walk right to the exact tree thirty kilo- times this will entail constructing the principal
meters away, just as though the trunk hada parts of the device far from the place of use.
sign on it! Dirt, sticks, and rocks that are turned up in the
That is what I call perception of detail. process of placing the trap must be moved far
Americans don’t even have the linguistic abili- away, and hidden.

11
 Ragnar’s Big Book of Homemade Weapons

CONSTRUCTION TEAMS ARE rope and nails. All of these marks of civiliza-
BEST KEPT SMALL tion must be covered by mud, brush, water,
grass, leaves, or limbs. ; ;
Usually the terrain is such that virtually all Do not leave newly chopped logs, freshly dug
of this work has to be accomplished using earth, newly split rocks, or any other signs of
muscle power. Construction of mantraps is recent activity around, even if they are far from
not usually speeded up materially by adding the set. Shrewd scouts will know what these dis-
people to the work crew. In most cases, there carded materials are for and will be doubly
are a limited number of people who can do alert.
this type of labor. Even if more people are
available, they begin to stumble over each KEEP NOISE LEVEL DOWN
other, creating so many obvous signs that the
’ set is.ruined. Be very cautious about making noise while
If you have an abundance of good people, preparing a set. At times I have had a chain
split them into two or three crews and build at Saw available but didn’t use it because of
different locations. Just be sure there is good noise. It might have caused people on the trail
communication between the various parties, or in villages in the vicinity to take note of
or you may start stumbling into each other's what was happening. Don’t forget, mantraps
traps. At other times, materials may beat are usually defensive in nature. As a rule, they
such a premium that the use of more than have to be set on home territory. When operat-
one crew is impossible. ing with closely knit, tight-mouthed partisans
who hate the intended quarry, one can work
RESTORING SET TO ORIGINAL openly and without concern. Otherwise, use a
APPEARANCE great deal of caution and stealth.
@ When the set is completed, it has to look SAFETY SIGNALS FOR FRIENDLIES
natural. That means no foreign construction
materials, no unusual ground or foliage dis- In this regard, it is imperative that you not
ruption, no sawdust, chips, freshly scraped catch the wrong game. Nothing sours the atti-
rocks, or bad smells. In other words, nothing tude of villagers you are trying to protect more
can be out of place when you are finished. than having one of their children impaled on
If there were tracks on the path in the dust a torqued spike trap. Ata minimum, friendly
before the trap was placed, there will-have to be natives in the vicinity must be warned that the
tracks on the path after it is there. If there were traps exist. At best, the people should be
leaves, there will have to be leaves, and so on. shown exactly what has been prepared, and
Sometimes the solution to this problem can where,
be very clever. I have seen Somali warriors Sometimes it is possible to work out a mean-
whittle logs down to duplicate animal tracks ingless little signal to warn away the people
and put them on poles that they “walked” you are trying to-protect. A handful of leaves
through a finished set. The tracks looked very in the path, a small hanging vine or some oth-
natural on the trail, leading the victim into er item may be used. Generally, the people you
the trap too far to be saved. will be working with will be astute enough to
Another similar technique is to put animal spot traps and avoid them if they know they :
feet on poles and run a set of animal tracks are there. The only real danger is to small chil-
‘7
i
through the trap area. Good scouts know that, dren, who sometimes range an incredible dis-
in many cases, wild animals are more cau-
tious about where they walk than people are.
tance from their villages. i
At times, traps can be set beyond one’s
= Many traps are made best by using wire,
safe territory. Safe territory is defined as

12
 Building and Keeping Your Arsenal Secure
being country where the enemy may come in Obviously, mantrapping does not work in £)
to patrol infrequently, but never stays for combat zone. It is foolish to contemplate
very long. Mantraps set inside the enemy’s reaching any significant military objectives by

| lines havea limited harassing effect. The these means. But in the rear areas, where the
negative is that the set-up operations tend to traps can be set at one’s good pleasure, they
be so dangerous the results are hardly ever can be individually devastating, especially,

|
worth the risk. : against city soldiers.

13
 CHAPTER 3

TRIGGERS

The heart of any trapping system is the trig- in turn, with available technology. Eventually
ger. Without a simple, foolproof trigger to an approach will evolve that will work very
release the stored energy that the mantrap nicely; at least it always has for me.
contains, other elaborate preparations area If you become involved in mantrapping,
foolish waste of time. and if you are good at it, you will begin to
A trigger used to control a mantrap must be develop unique traps of your own invention.
able to withstand just about anything Mother The trigger systems | list here are basic, simple
Nature is likely to throw at it. Really good trig- designs that can be used in many applica-
gers always have that characteristic. Neither tions. As you begin to invent triggers yourself,
rain, snow, mud, nor heat should affect a good keep in mind that they must meet the follow-
design, so care must be taken to provide pro- ing basic criteria. A trigger must:
tection for the trigger against the elements.
As with everything else in this business, A. be simple '
good common sense helps immeasurably B. be absolutely foolproof
when selecting or developing a trigger. C. not be affected by the normal range of
weather one might expect
DIFFICULTIES WITH TRIGGER D. be made of common, easily obtained
CONSTRUCTION materials
. be easily hidden
At times it will seem virtually impossible to . not contain an inherent set of characteris-
mom
come up with any kind of credible trap/trigger tics that will immediately tip off the sub-
combination. The trap itself may be one that ject you are trying to trap
can be hidden, but the correct materials for the
trigger may not be on hand. Or the trigger People who are pragmatically familiar with
may not lend itself to the application you have the outdoors and who have run atrap line for .
in mind. Sometimes the people you want to small or large game will not have to be ©
catch may be tipped off if they glimpse even a reminded of the above points. Others need to
trigger or, for that matter, the entire set of ter- remember to use a large enough trigger for the
rain characteristics that go along with a trig- trap they envision being sprung.
ger and mantrap.
My advice is to continue to work patiently DOUBLE-TRIGGER CONCEPT
on these sorts of problems, and tough it out.
Blend your experience with local culture and, One not-at-all-well-known concept is that of

15
Seppe ocr eet ener on SS 7S waee
epee
ae :

‘Ragnar’s Big Book of Homemade Weapons

ie
TRIGGER

Tri p stick

using a double trigger. This involves the princi- ing back a pile of rocks or stack of logs. Many
ple.of tripping a smaller trigger that in turn times this system can be comprised of two trig-
activates a main trigger which, in tum, is hold- gers that are identical in design. An example

16
 Building and Keeping Your Arsenal Secure
Sn mee

here is a small figure four trigger that trips, how much energy can be contained by these
allowing a log to fall, tripping a large figure few, relatively small sticks,
four trigger holding back a big load of rocks. As you become proficient at mantrapping,
A falling rock double trigger may be easier other triggers will come to mind. Measure their
to conceptualize. Here a rock is set on the very effectiveness against a figure four, especially
edge of a steep path. When nudged by a pass- in the area of jamming. Nothing is so mad-
ing patrol leader, it rolls downhill. A buried dening as having pieces of the trigger hang
wire line leading from the rock to a trigger up, keeping the trap unsprung when it should
under a massive log deck then tightens, trip- slam into action. I have had this happen with-
ping the trigger. The result is a cascade of out the enemy ever knowing they were in my
falling logs, and hopefully a smashed patrol. trap. But usually they end up seeing the set
Keep the double trigger concept in mind. and are doubly wary from then on,
i
f Often it is the key to dropping half a mountain
. on.an adversary (or some similarly drastic . TRIP STICK TRIGGER
2¢
event) that could not otherwise be accom-
y
ui plished with only a single trigger. Many potentially good triggers are too slow
i
on the uptake to be of much value. As a result,
FIGURE FOUR TRIGGER the quarry may walk past the impact area
before there is any trap movement. Not only
The figure four is the oldest, most reliable will he not be trapped, but the trap may be so
release mechanism in existence. North slow in activating that the victim may never
American Indians used it to trigger their dead- know he was a target.
falls. Rendille and Samburo natives around Most trip stick triggers suffer from these
Lake Rudolph in Africa still use it today. sorts of limitations. The one | like is somewhat
Generally a figure four trigger will work more reliable but is still slow. Yet mantrappers
es
ro
oe
on wherever the trap consists of a load held up by need a trigger of this type in their repertoire.
an angled support. It is simple and effective. Mine is, as far as I know, about the best of the
The device is not easily affected by the weath- lot. If necessary, one can make up for any
er. No matter where one is in the world, there inherent slowness by having the load drop
are usually readily available materials with ahead on the path a few meters.
which to build a figure four. On the plus side, the trigger will work either
Describing a figure four trigger is needless- horizontally or vertically, and it will contain a
ly difficult. There just is not that much mys- tremendous stack of logs, a huge bent tree, or
tery to them. Take a look at the drawing on a mountain of rocks.
the opposite page. It is much easier to under-
stand than trying to follow a complicated PARTS LIST
word description.
When making a figure four, be sure the The basic parts of this trigger are a pivot
bait stick is long and dry. All of the pieces pole, a post, a pivot stick with rope to the trap,
should be made of well-seasoned material and a trip stick.
that won't warp, shrink, or soften during the Notice from the accompanying drawing
useful life of the trap. that the pivot pole is set up on a constructed
post. This is not always necessary or wise. |
PIECE SELECTION Often I have used the limb of a tree for a pivot
pole. Similarly the post can be a naturally
The horizontal piece is especially crucial. A occurring tree. In fact, it is better if it is. The set
long, light member is easiest to dislodge. will certainly look more natural. As with any
Those unfamiliar with traps will be amazed at trap, the trick is to develop an eye for the really

17
 Ragnar’s Big Book of Homemade Weapons
rer ==5S
Bal SH |. + - a =

STeigger Ey fal |: 2.Trip stick | E2

pupa

Le

Peg with notch

for nail ae

Nail with head éut”

_off driven into tree

. Tension -
wire to...’
load ener yu
um
esi

Lora
eso
aT

OC
good places where traps can be built that As shown in the diagram, the trip stick is
blend well into the surroundings. above the ground in what seems like an

18
 A

abit,
TRIP-STICK
fa
frypr
=
can Ui
: T DTU x
TRIGGER
: INN

y ‘Tension | line
eee

'
QM oy Pivot pole
: Ls Pivot stick
= = Post
1

FilATTN

CRITE.

iq

Trip stick

exposed, obvious position. Many times the trip perienced city troops will walk right into it
& stick can be hidden or camouflaged. Inex- anyway, covered or uncovered. Trapping them
 -- - Ragnar’s Big Book of Homemade Weapons

is like trapping marten. If you leave the trap

uncovered, they seem to find it easier.
tive trip. Cutting the head off the nail.
. increases sensitivity greatly. A very heavy
primary force exerted by the bent spring pole
©
A USEFUL VARIATION ‘will cut the trigger’s potential sensitivity sub-
es stantially.
’ Avery nice derivative of the exposed trip Be sure the peg is made out of the hardest
stick can be made by shallow burial of the trip wood available. Grooves cut in the top of the
in the ground on top of light filler, such as peg will help keep the tension wire hightly
leaves or thistledown. The trigger must be - wound in place.
minutely adjusted to work properly, which is” Be sure the mechanics of the trigger are
not particularly difficult with this type of trigger. such that a 90-degree pull off the nail is cre-
Notice that the pivot stick can be obvious as ated when upset. Otherwise the mechanism
it swings. Should this seem like a problem, build may not activate without a huge tug or push
the set so the pivot stick is off the path several - from the quarry.
feet, screened by brush. By. the time the quarry
figures out what is happening, it is too late. STICK AND ROLLER TRIGGER
Trip stick triggers can be traps in and of
themselves. I ran into-several in Cuba years Often a fairly insensitive trigger is needed
ago. The first one tripped when I hit some that can hold up a huge weight. Under these
foliage with a machete. It swung a tremendous circumstances, the triggers are set in two
blow with its pivot stick that went low under my stages, as previously mentioned. The sec-
arm, We tripped the second with a pole. Both _ ondary trigger may, for instance, be a stick

ie
were much like the standard Jivaro traps. and roller that holds up a log deck, which is
tripped by a falling rock trigger.
PEG AND NAIL TRIGGER Smaller traps occasionally may be built
using the stick and roller as the primary and
As a general rule, most snares operate with a only trigger.
trigger using the peg and nail concept. It’sa To be successful, the roller has to be made
good, simple device for this type of trigger setup. of materials that are smooth, round, and
With only a modest amount of tinkering, the hard. It should be relatively large in diameter
trigger can be made to hold back a man- and roll on a hard surface.
whomping load. Yet it can be very sensitive too..
TRIGGER SENSITIZERS
PEG AND NAIL VARIATIONS
At times it can be a real chore to get one of
Wire from a spring (or tension) pole is run these triggers sensitized. One cannot go
to a peg. Precut a notch in the peg before around rolling logs down the hill time after,
securing the wire. Drive a nail into a tree, log, - time till the trigger pieces are finally worked
or stoutly anchored stake, and that’s all there down enough to function properly. If nothing
is to this one. It can be triggered by positioning else, the trap setter will probably object to hav-
it so it is simply kicked out of position. Or the . ing logs rolled on his head.
peg can be connected to a trip line, a branch, a When I make one of these sets, I start out
Stone, or a light wire snare loop that has been with a relatively light load and implant tem-
run to it. This last method is the most common porary posts to stop the load close to the set.
use of the peg and nail trigger. This way I can test the trigger time after time,
Always build the trigger fairly large for the adding a bit more weight as needed.

&
intended application. In actual use, I have On a trigger of this sort, the best way to sen-
found this to be the best way to make a sensi- sitize it is to angle the stick from the load to the

—_——_ | a
 STICK ¢ ROLL
TRIGGER

Support member

_ + ls Stick securely fastened

: +. +, to support. Prevents. .
Support member from. -| Wire line used
falling back... 5 0. UU yr throw trap

- > Flat piece,

Side View -
nowanteps
Gite
iah

STpessREN
Wires

j heavy
material, ;

Two support members. :

with rollers may be
. + needed, depending on
» + size of lodd Smooth hard’
voller pieces - °

--—or >
Flat piece re Ww
_wire tine used to throw trap...

roller. Another very effective method is to Apply the grease sparingly or you may never
@& grease the roller and the pull stick slightly. get the trigger to hold again.

21
 -. CHAPTER 4

PITTRAP pers

Many people, when they think of a man- operator of the vehicle is handicapped by the
trap, visualize a hole in the ground dugin ~ speed at which the vehicle travels and the dis-
such a way that the enemy falls in andis . tance from the driver's seat to what may be
impaled on stakes or captured. In real life it abundant evidence on the road. Another plus
does not work quite that smoothly. But since for the mantrapper is that operators of vehi-
this type of trap is the stereotype in people’s - cles tend to be lulled into a sense of false secu-
minds, itis a fitting place to start. rity. Obviously anyone.who lets that happen is
- Old hill country trappers know that under 7
most circumstances it is virtually impossible to
catch wild animals in a pit trap. This is a fact,
likely to find himself in someone else's hole,
_but it happens all the time. ;
Since pit traps are so disruptive to the envi-
O
in spite of the “Frank Buck, bring-em-back- ronment, a great deal of attention must be
alive” tales you have heard. paid to detail when digging them. You will
’ But we are not concerned here with trap- need a relatively large crew of laborers who
ping wild animals; men can be caught in a pit. must be held closely in check, lest they trample
In actual practice, however, it takes a good every blade of grass and brush within one-
deal more time and labor to put an effective hundred meters of the set. é
pit trap into service than most people realize. The best approach I have found requires
And then the mantrapper must arrange some that you stage the workers off of the site fifty to
special conditions to really get the rig to work one hundred meters in a carefully préscribed
well, especially if the targets are people who manner. Be sure they know what path to take,
are woodsmen. ; : : where to dump the diggings, and that they
' Men on horseback are nearly impossible to cannot spill or trample. '
pit-trap. The horses will sense the danger.and . Use lots of mats, canvas, or plastic sheets to
avoid it. On the other.hand, motorized vehi- protect the site as needed.
clés are easy to lure into a pit trap if one is
halfway clever about it. : PIT TRAP LOCATION

‘MECHANIZED. QUARRY. Careful consideration must be given to the

location of the set. My preference is to locate
A small truck or motorcycle has no brain. It the pit in an overgrown detour trail, covered

O
cannot determine if it is headed for certain with flattened vegetation and rutted asa
destruction, even if the signs are obvious. The result of men and vehicles leaving the road to

23
 PIT TRAP _
LOCATION
"Os mae A, :
Heavy foliage or
other natural
boundry keeps
quarry on path

Sharp curve in
deeply rutted
Narrow path
ES jad3e Ze

detour around a fallen tree, washout, or other one where the temporary road or trail leaves
obstacle. : the main road for a few dozen meters and then
€ The very best location, in my opinion, is turns sharply back to the main path. The pres-

24
 — PIT TRAP
CONSTRUCTION
Notches cutin
braces sothey
| 7 )
ge

“. Shallow covered
-* entrance wa
“+7 allows men into bbe
pte
seme
ete
‘ to
eanishy ih :

Bees, Methods. ofpeace. -

=. | from sides, Derren or
seo Par; :

| Bottom of trap covered

‘ pat with spikes. eee
Oe ST 18" punji sticks Cay be”
: ead wh\ogsto Neh 2k ad, EP e Se yee covered with aviena! dung).
[-) te - .. een ; . ; .

: . Trap should be dest, two)

ee ene : - meters for men, three.
. Clean, sharp edges -no :
foes sign of disturbance. aor ventric

ence of tight, thick undergrowth will make the vision will be obscured temporarily. In addi-

O
set work even better. . tion, the high, dense growth on either side of
As the enemy leaves the main road, his the detour should keep him on the chosen

25
i
Ragnar’s Big Book of Homemade Weapons

path. On turning the corner and straightening to do something with the catch after it falls in
out for the run to the main road, the victim the hole. Tigers, for instance, are famous for
will relax his vigilance. At that point the trap jumping out of traps. People will do likewise.
should be waiting. : The only two really effective methods of
keeping people in a trap that I have found are
Check Soil Type to plant punji stakes at the bottom of the pit
As with all traps, locations with the correct for men, or flood the pit for a jeep. Theo-
criteria are not easy to find. Be double-damn retically it may be possible to drown troops in
sure, for instance, that you check the soil type a deep hole filled with water, but it’s unlikely,
before starting to dig. Are there large roots to I, at least, have never seen it done. The best to
hack through? Will cutting them kill the trees hope for is that the vehicle will be damaged
and alert the enemy? Is the soil rocky or enough that it will be abandoned,
swampy? Will the side walls of the trap hold or
must they be reinforced with logs? IMPORTANCE OF SUPPORT ADJUSTMENT
Keep in mind that pit traps have to be dug
very deep: two meters for men and three Adjusting the supports for the cover on the
meters for machines, ata minimum. hole is an art. They have to give way crisply
when the target crosses, yet hold the top cover
Retain Surface Materials nicely until then. I like to either whittle down
Surface materials should be retained for use the supports that hold up the plastic cover, or
in covering the trap. It must appear as though use a rigid hinged roof held up by a flimsy
existing wheel ruts or boot prints go right on support on one end. Either method will dump
over the trap with no break in continuity. the enemy.
The best way to do this is to use Visqueen
plastic sheeting. I spread the surface material, MAINTAINING SECRECY
which has been carefully removed, out in
large chunks on the plastic sheeting. Use three The single biggest difficulty with pit traps is
thicknesses for trucks, one for men. maintaining their secrecy. If the location is a
After setting up the entire trap, have sever- good one, there is tremendous danger that
al men enter the hole from the side and hold enemy troops or vehicles will come by before
up boards to support the plastic. New tracks the mantrappers are ready. There is no way to
can then be made by walking over the sup- mitigate this problem. It will probably always
ported plastic, or by rolling wheels over it. be a handicap for the mantrapper who wants
Using plastic makes it possible to place to use a hole in the earth to catch people.
puddles over the set. ‘ In most places, a pit trap is not workable.
Yet the skilled mantrapper has to keep the pit
The Puddle Variation in mind when deciding which trap will work
Sometimes a giant. puddle will work to best in a particular situation. Sometimes that
obscure the whole set. Men won’t go through if one-in-a-thousand situation occurs and a pit
they can avoid the water, but vehicles are suck- will produce real results. Another time a good
ers for this puddle variation of the pit trap. working knowledge of the pit trap principle
First-time pit trappers forget that they have may save your life in the bush.

26
yer
 CHAPTER 5
agate

SHIBEPEATER'S ROCKFALL

’ The Sheepeater Indians at one time inhab- Early records are sketchy, but we do know
ited some of the steepest, roughest areas of the that these little-publicized natives made
western Rockies. extensive use of falling boulders to protect
No other tribe wanted to live on this inhos- their domain. Combined with the rugged ter-
pitable terrain, or for that matter, could even rain and natural seclusion, it was enough to
scratch a living from it. discourage even the most determined intrud-
According to legend, this small Indian tribe ers from wandering onto their land.
was held in low regard by the more advanced
tribes around it. ROCK TRAP PREREQUISITES

THE SHEEPEATER LEGEND Two fairly obvious prerequisites are neces-

sary for the deployment of rock traps: large
Apparently the Sheepeaters were consid- rocks, and sufficient altitude to make them
ered to have had limited intelligence and only dangerous. People who live in marshy, wet,
a rudimentary knowledge of the use of tools. flat environments, for instance, had best think
Early anthropologists as well as the other of some other mantrap.
Indians thought of them as dirty, uncouth For those who will be operating mantraps
people who were as much animal as human. in steep mountains, there is no easier way of
I believe that the Sasquatch legend proba- storing up an incredible amount of easily
bly originated with the Sheepeaters. They were unleashed energy than with the Sheepeaters’
the kind of people who could engender such Rockfall. At one time I was even involved ina
rumors, since they lived in remote squalor and plot to drop a huge boulder on a tank, which I
privation where only the mountain sheep, will discuss in “Jack the Tank Killer.”
bears, and cougars normally existed. Under normal mountain conditions, a pile
What few Sheepeaters existed succumbed of rocks placed above a trail is not easily
to smallpox. As far as is known, none survived detected. The trap is one of the less difficult
past the 1880s. types to put in, since it is easily hidden and 95
Since the Sheepeaters were very primitive percent of the construction activity is away
people who never learned to use bows and from the path the enemy will be advancing
never acquired firearms, they were often hard- on. It takes a pretty damned shrewd scout to
pressed to defend their natural rock territory
against outsiders.
keep his patrol out of a rockfall if it ventures
into the mountains in the first place.
O
27
a Re ee, >
a ae
[a

Ragnar’s Big Book of Homemade Weapons

' SHEEPEATERS’
= ROCKFALL
JL costs shold Be piled in
such a way that they do
not seem obvious.

o aR

Stick Mi Wh :
and roler — -7.al tay

:
yc
Vert

lf )
Vhs,
us
y
Y <I)

Wire to trip rock,

hidden by brush,
¢
\4

eo-
“a9
grass or buried.

Zinch limbs buried

in path with hollow
Space underneath 14 inch rock balanced :
o rock —~ against a smailtree p

ock <
fulcrum

enlorgement }

ere af ol

28
Building and Keeping Your Arsenal Secure

: SITE LOCATION TRIGGER WIRE IS NECESSARY

Another problem involves the availability
O
The best place fora rock trap is from 150 to
300 meters above a path that crosses a broad, of wire to trip the triggers. If it is completely
steeply sloping meadow. There must be at impossible to acquire several hundred meters
least a 25-percent grade, especially if the rocks of heavy wire, constructing a rockfall is proba-
are to be dropped from the shorter end of the bly not a feasible idea. The best trigger for this
recommended distance. type setup is a couple of good, stout sticks and
‘Multiple rockfalls made from higher - rollers, triggered by a 40-centimeter rolling -
elevations and longer distances tend to: stone. Rope running from the stone to the
disperse as they gain momentum. The main trigger is not strong enough and is too
rocks begin to skip wildly into the air and obvious. It is imperative that number 12 or 14
will often miss the target. More material wire be available for this purpose here.
can be added to the fall, or.the trapper can Trigger the rock with two 5-centimeter
merely be content with scaring the hell out limbs buried in the path. These limbs serve as
of the patrol. Of course, if a hit is made levers. Be sure the wire attached to the rock
under these conditions, it will be an excel- has enough slack to allow the rock to get some
lent one. ; momentum before snubbing the wire tight on
In very steep terrain it is sometimes possible the stick and roller trigger. This is accom-
to drop a load of rocks straight down. Usually plished quite easily by hiding the surplus wire.
this situation is a trapper’s pipe dream, being Be sure to take into account the delay factor
virtually nonexistent in real life. when setting up a rockfall. It takes what seems
Pick a spot for the rockfall where there are. like four years between the time someone hits
no rock ledges, trees, or.other natural barriers the trigger till the rocks arrive on target. It is
behind which the enemy-can scurry. possible for the quarry to walk right out of the
When setting it up, I like to put the rocks on kill zone, since the time lag is so extensive.
a log platform set into the hillside. When the Besides setting rocks on a platform, one can
trigger is hit, the platform will swing down like prop one big boulder on edge, with smaller
a hay door on a barn, dumping the rocks ina rocks propped against it, holding it in place.
neat, orderly manner. ; Usually it is impossible to get enough sizeable
rocks-to fall at one time with this system to be
LOAD CAPACITY of much value. ae
If you know that your area will be patrolled
’ Using two prop sticks, I have made traps as by large numbers of men, you might consider
long as eight meters that have held over 5,000 setting up a series of rock traps. It is possible to .
kilos of rocks. By the time the boulders were tie them together so that any one of three trig-
200 meters down the hill, they covered an area gers will pull down a slide that in turn will pull
70 meters wide. down six or eight more. I have never tried this .
The nice feature of this system is that two or approach, but am sure that under the right
three people carrying 40- to 60-kilo rocks can circumstances it would be a real winner.
get a really lethal mantrap together in a very Guerrilla leaders with lots of able bodies
short order. a might consider putting them to work ona
The main drawback to this type of trap is multiple rockfall of this nature. It would be a
that usually the workers making the set are good way to keep the troops busy, and the trap
right out in plain view for God and everyone could very well protect one’s back door
else to see. You can get around this by building approach into an area, or at least signal the
it at night or picking a location in a canyon
where the view is restricted.
approach of the enemy.
Be sure when setting the trigger for the
S
29
 Ragnar’s Big Book of Homemade Weapons
Sheepeaters’ Rockfall and when loading the ing a ton of rocks down on you and endanger-
stones that you use safety poles. It is easy to ing the lives of friendly natives who might be
misjudge the load capacity of a trigger, send- down below.
 CHAPTER 6

CUBAN WATER TRAP

In 1956, I had the opportunity to spend sev- But I dutifully went on these assignments in
en months in prerevolutionary Cuba. Batista anticipation of the fish-spearing activity
was still firmly in contro] at the time, but the that would come later.
Castro brothers were active enough to make After several months of this mucking about,
life interesting for a young mercenary. it didn’t take much genius to conclude that the
One of my duties, in keeping with my best deal was back on the beach inspecting
cover as a gringo tourist, was to take an swimming suits. For that reason, I never phi-
interest in caves. Cuba has a great number losophized a great deal about the cave portion
of caves. Before 1960, some were actually of the business.
developed as tourist attractions. Others were
just holes in the ground where the revolu- A UNIQUE MANTRAP
tionaries stockpiled propaganda posters,
among other things, But my jungle forays did provide me with
Our little saga started on the beaches of opportunities, on several occasions, to ana-
Veradero, where I lolled around watching girls lyze an ingenious mantrap that is probably
and spearing fish. Great numbers of 28- to 40- indigenous only to Cuba. I doubt seriously if
foot fishing boats plied these waters. Most, I it is used any other place in the world.
was told, came from Miami. Probably the set is not even used in Cuba any
I noticed that whenever the state military longer. Other than my knowledge ofit, it
beach patrol was out of sight, some of the may be lost to history. I call it the Cuban
boats would quickly offload olive-drab (OD) Water Trap.
green boxes into small skiffs that ferried the My first introduction to this trap came on
boxes ashore. Once on shore, the suspicious my fifth or sixth visit to one particularly
wooden boxes disappeared, never to be seen grungy cave about 120 klicks from Havana.
again. At least I never saw them again. The same dirty little unshaved Cuban,
Every so often a contact named Armando Armando, was showing me around the dank
appeared, who looked like an ill-kempt hole in his typical bored fashion, when the
campesino. Armando would whisk me off power went out in his two-cell flashlight.
on a three- or four-day swing around the Rather than sit around waiting, I started
island to inspect various caves. It seemed climbing up toward a light I could see in the

©
like every cave inspection required a five- distance. Armando chattered away nervously
kilometer hike in the stifling jungle heat. and followed along. At this point in my Cuban

31
 Ragnar’s Big Book of Homemade Weapons

CUBAN WATER TRAP

; Impoundment
Log. dam with overlap
in Center.
ny

SN TRS
DID
,

ioe
zt ee

=f
Log holdback

Cable to large rock on

figure four rigger. - os
A
» alt

Career, I could understand about half of

what green hillside. Vines and grass partiall
he was saying. ; mS y cov-
& Eventually we emerged highon a lush ered what was actually quite a large hole
, exit-
ing the cave. The valley floor lay belo
w us

32

eer
we
re
een
Orr
ee
Mr
ae
OT
re
ea
eee
eee
ae
e
 Building and Keeping Your Arsenal Secure
————
ee

- about 200 meters. I could see the creek but not Off to the side, not 20 meters below the
the trail or the cave entrance, which was skill- . cave, was a large, round rock every bit of one
* fully hidden in the undergrowth. meter in diameter. It lay there, obscured by .
To my right, about halfway down the hill, brush, propped up by a figure four trigger.
lay what looked like a fairly good-sized reser- Gingerly my guide showed me its horizontal
voir. Enough brush obscured the view that it trip stick hidden in the path. :
was impossible to tell for sure. Armando noted In a series of grunts, motions, and a little .
my interest in the curious reservoir. My little Spanish, he explained that the trigger
guide, now alert for the first time since I met tripped the rock which was then dumped
him several months back, waved for me to fol- into a two-meter-long chute. At the end of
low him down the slope. the chute, the rock pulled the cable tight,
The pond he showed me was approximate- snapping the two braces away from the ©
ly one hectare in size and fairly deep. I don’t dam. In theory, anyway, the water would
know exactly how much water was in the come cascading down the little valley, wash-
impoundment, but it seemed like quite a bit. - ing away all men and vehicles unfortunate
Feeding the pool was a creek that ran down enough to.be in the way.
the valley. The dam holding back the reservoir
was constructed within a grove of trees. It was WATER-TRAP OPERATIONAL PRINCIPLES
made entirely of 20- to 50-centimeter logs
filled in with brush, vines, and moss. Later I asked Armando, who spoke per- .
Below the dam, water escaped through cracks fect English when he wanted to, about the
‘and holes, cascading noisily down till it ran into setup. He claimed the trap really worked.
the creek again. No water spilled over the top. I Any Batistas coming up the trail would trig-
f wondered what would happen if a sudden cloud-
burst, a common occurrence in Cuba, sent extra
ger the device, creating what seemed like a
natural disaster. Armando claimed the revo-
water surging down the creek into the pond. lutionaries always tried to put their caches
Apparently the dam could take it. in caves in this type of valley. He said they
i Green scum hung over the barrier logs like could protect the cache that way without
a blanket. It looked to me like the whole rot- raising suspicions. : :
H
ting mess was about to collapse any minute. I asked if a trap like this had ever been hit
My guide took me around perilously close to by the Batistas and was told yes.“The logs
the front of the dam. From there I could see tumbling in the water are deadly,” he said.
the logs laced together like fingers. The ends “Inside the cave there is some water, but most
bowed out, pointing downstream at a shal- goes on down the valley. It is very effective,”
low angle. : he claimed. ‘
Two log braces were set against the middle In this case I really don’t know if he was
of the barrier, like stick and roller triggers telling the truth. I do know that, in the course of
holding back a rockfall. It was obvious that my travels, I was able to confirm the existence :
they were all that was holding the contrap- of at least two other Cuban Water Trap reser-
tion together. voirs.
Smiling like an American politician on This mantrap’s concept is ingenious, but
election day, Armando pulled a piece of wire obviously there are problems. The set has to be
cable out of the grass and showed me where it viewed as a special-case situation, more so
was attached to the two log braces. Carefully, than any other system in this book.
he hid it back in the grass again. We contin-
ued our.stroll down the trail, past the main SITE LOCATION ©
entrance of the cave: Here the trail snaked on © , fae thes
through dense undergrowth. Valleys in which a water trap can be con-
 ea Geers
Ragnar’s Big Book of Homemade Weapons

structed must be small with fairly steep side before the pond actually filled. If it looked
walls. Obviously a steady, nonseasonal stream weak, the mantrapper could open a hole and
has to flow down through the bottom of the drain the pond. If it broke, it might be possible
valley, Small trees and underbrush that can to start over.
hide the pond, trail, and trap rigging are
important. On the other hand, the cover can- TRIGGER SYSTEM RECOMMENDATIONS
not be too dense or the trees too tall, lest they
break the flow of the water and logs when the The trigger system itself does not seem
dam gives way. ‘unduly complex. After thinking about it off
Part of the destructive force of the trap and on for almost twenty-five years, I have
comes from the logs and debris tumbled along concluded that I would, if ever.called on to
with the water. From my point of view, the logs make a trap of this sort, also use a large
in the dams | saw looked rotted and soft. This boulder with figure four trigger to pulla
may have been illusionary. They did manage cable which, in turn, would yank out the
to hold back a pond about four meters deep. dam braces.
Nevertheless, one had best make certain that Constructing a Cuban Water Trap is nine-
suitable building materials are on hand fora tenths art and one-tenth luck. I am not even
project of this scope. absolutely sure it would work as planned, my
Constructing a suitable trigger would seem friend’s assurances notwithstanding.
to be a monumental problem here. I often Yet it is an interesting mantrap. I am sure
wondered how the trapper could tell what size the idea merits application someplace in the
of brace was sufficient to hold the dam back world today.

34
 CHAPTER 7:

SPIKE TRAP

The age-old Spike Trap has been used to can be rigged, left six months, ana still Pigs
deter both man and beast. I once came across duce a catch. ;
a photograph of a device made to mantrap
poachers, constructed about 1650 by an SPIKE TRAP CONSTRUCTION
English blacksmith. But whether the trap is
intended for two- or four-legged animals, the Although actually installing the trap is not
design is alive and well today, used by a num- difficult, preparing the unit is time-consum-
ber of different bush native societies to guard ing. If the objective involves setting traps in
their home territories. batches of at least fifty, the only practical
Spike Traps are particularly effective for use approach is establishing a small production
against horses. Perhaps because I am an old facility to make trap bodies.
duffer who was raised around horses, I still Under most circumstances the trap bodies
respect and believe in them. should be 25 to 30 centimeters on a side. The
They are as good a means of transportation traps don’t have to be square, yet in most
for some military forces under many irregular places square construction materials are the
guerrilla-type situations as will ever be found. ‘easiest to scrounge. Use wood, metal, cast
iron, pipe, or anything else handy—don't
EXCELLENT CAVALRY APPLICATION overlook 20- to 25-centimeter pipe. Usea
box, from 70 to 100 centimeters long. My
Because I perceive horse-mounted troops to experience is that the trap works best if the
be a threat to me, I have probably spent more victim has trouble finding the bottom. Of
time than the average irregular soldier trying course, it isn’t practical to build a trap that
to figure out how to handle them. In that would swallow an entire horse leg. But puta
respect, the Spike Trap is the answer to a maid- human up to his thigh in a Spike Trap and
en’s prayer. Properly set, one trap can doin 5 you have something.
percent of a company’s horses every time they No matter what the side walls of the trap
. patrol the defended territory. are made of, they should be tough enough to
A Spike Trap can bé set any place a 1- hold the spikes without bending. My personal
meter hole with 25-centimeter sides can be preference is 16-gauge tin. Material of this sort
dug—in trails, at river crossings (it doesn’t can be obtained, bent, and soldered just about
matter if the trap fills with water), in open anywhere in the world.
fields, or wherever. In some places the trap The spikes must be fairly tough. Twenty-

35
 Ragnar’s Big Book of Homemade Weapons

Ends open ——____ : SPIKE TRAP

CONSTRUCTION
Side walls no
less than \6 ga.

‘Tough sharpened \
tines securely
fastened to 70 +o 100
side walls Centimeters

Centimeters

penny nails, or an equivalent size, are as heavy sheet steel, old bedsprings, and other
small as one should consider using. Or similar junk. Make certain that the ends are
eo the spikes out of steel rod, slivers of needle sharp. :

36
|

bh
 SPIKE TRAP
PLACEMENT

ce hy
ee
Coveredwitn
natural materials.

Securely mount three spikes on one side. the spikes toward the bottom on an approxi-
and two on the other, not more than 3 cen- mate 30-degree angle into the box. When
timeters down from the top of the box. Bend completed, the opposing sets should have a

37
 Ragnar’s Big Book of Homemade Weapons
gap of about 7.5 centimeters. There must bea his shoe and escape. Escaping is tougher if the
significant slope down to the spikes. trapped person had a pack on and was tired
Carefully dig the boxes into the ground. when he lost his footing.
Carry away all the surplus soil. Covering can be Invariably, horses that get a foot in one of
made with anything that does not arouse suspi- these traps thrash around and break a leg.
cion. On a dry, dusty path try a leaf or piece of
paper covered with dirt. On one occasion I used PSYCH OP ADVANTAGE
pieces of sod, but after a week or ten days, the
grass dried out. Every set was extremely conspic- Of all the mantraps described in this
uous and had to be recovered. book, the Spike Trap is probably the least
Spike Traps may be placed at the bottom of lethal. Its advantage lies in the wound it
@ small incline or at the top of a hill, places produces, which will cripple a man fora
where the quarry is likely to step down harder few weeks, and in the confusion and con-
than normal. Horse traps should be placed sternation caused when someone gets
where the horses will go. If the trap is well cov- trapped. Especially at night, the results are
ered, the critter won't spot it. dramatic. The entire patrol usually will
Once any portion of a foot passes the bot- stop. Several men will have to unearth the
tom of the spikes, the quarry is had. After they trap and break it apart noisily while every-
gain experience with this type of trap, humans body else stands around contemplating
will kneel down, lean on their rifle, or pull on their exposed position.
a branch to keep from going in farther. But Possibly the trap can be made more lethal
most of the time the quarry will sink deeper by covering the spikes with snake venom,
and deeper, the nails digging in progressively. nicotine sulfate, or some other poison. That's a
Sometimes the trappee will manage to remove matter of personal preference.

38
 CHAPTER 8

JUNGLESNARE

Certainly everyone will agree that any "out of 20-millimeter airplane cable or any oth-
book on mantrapping has to have a section on er light wire that will withstand a jerk load of
snaring folks by the foot and simultaneously 300 kilos. Number 16 copper appliance wire
springing them up into a tree. Everybody qualifies; baling wire or regular deer snare
knows from watching forty-year-old John material will do the trick, too.
» Wayne and Tarzan movies that this is how.it The loop should be about 30 centimeters in
B22; shouldbe done. diameter. If the snare is too small, it trips before
In real life, a spring-loaded Jungle Snare is a the target’s foot is completely trapped. The
viable mantrap. A snare works well anywhere snare simply pulls a boot or slips off the foot.
there are trees with a trail through them, some Leave some slack—perhaps 10 centimeters—
ground cover including a few bushes, and an in the wire. Lightly anchor the bottom of the
enemy that will venture into the area. loop right to the ground. Make sure it stands up
A good snare set is simple enough to build, perpendicular to the path. I like to tie up the
yet incredibly tough to avoid. About the only snare loop with a single blade of dry grass.
people who can consistently stay out of such
snares are natives who live very close to the CAMOUFLAGING THE SNARE
earth. They tend to walk by placing their feet
up and down. We shufflers, inhabitants of Unless the snare is to be used only against
modern and developing civilizations, don’t night patrols, another precaution must be tak-
have a prayer. By the time we feel the snare en, It must be hidden from view. The best way
pull on our foot, it is too late. to hide the snare is to make the set where a
branch or bush overhangs the trail at a height
SNARE CONSTRUCTION of about 1 meter. The enemy will see the
branch as a light obstacle that he can push
There are literally dozens of different meth- aside. But he won’t be able to see the ground
ods of setting very good, very effective jungle . and/or the snare. A few weeds or some other
snares. Some are absolutely ingenious. foliage in the path will help obscure the wire.
However, most of the ingenuity is related to
producing a mortality, rather than getting the COUNTERWEIGHT INSTRUCTIONS
victim into the set in the first place.
Ey
pee
ae First things first—here’s how to get the Set the wire up to the right or left in the
Snare on the enemy’s foot. Construct the snare path. People don’t have feet in the middle.
iad
Be

if
u
 Ragnar’s Big Book of Homemade Weapons

Weight at least
3 times as heavy Bag
as intended torget “HE
Suspended at least if
6 meters fromthe f
ground, hidden in “ obscures view dow
overhead = f NB ATEN A Ce eee ae
foliage on ; ae Aise7 es

Snare loop 30 «em

in circumference

Use a peg and nail trigger as described in tree is one thing. Producing a casualty is
the chapter on triggers. another matter. Here is how I recommend
& Hanging some poor guy temporarily ina doing the quarry in, once he is in the snare.

40
 Building and Keeping Your Arsenal Secure

OC
oN
= , p

Hoist a 250-kilo log or stone up a tree by procedures. Picking the trap location becomes
throwing the snare wire over a stout limb. crucial for this operation. Locate a treeona
Position the weight at least 6 meters high. Run raised bank alongside the path. If the weight
the line up behind the tree trunk and hide it _ drops farther than the victim is raised, it will
from view as much as possible. It sometime s © drag him over the limb. He will seriously break
works to suspend the log or stone behind the a leg, at the minimum.
tree. Just be sure the hoisting path is not Things to remember with a trap of this sort
obstructed by large branches. include using a strong enough wire, hidden
When the trigger is tripped, there should be from view, on a well-traveled path. Dropa
enough weight to jerk the victim off the load at least three times the weight of your
ground and pull him high into the tree. intended target. Doubling a wire over a limb
Tacking a piece of tin on the limb over halves the weight that can be lifted. Drop the
which the snare wire runs will smooth the log as far as possible, dragging the victim over
operation considerably. the support limb, if possible.
It is possible to produce a fatality using this _ The Jungle Snare is a good device to add to
method without resorting to strapping scores your bag of tricks. The orthopedic surgeons in
of spikes in the tree or other similarly difficult the area will love you dearly for using it.

(>)
41
 CHAPTER 9

JACK THE TANK KILLER

A friend of mine is one of the truly out- only native troops I ever encountered that
standing mantrappers still alive today. With constituted anything like a threat. Therefore
him, I was involved in a wildly ambitious trap- tension was high as he told the tale. “We
ping program, used some Somalis one time to clean upa
This expert mantrapper was born in Kenya, band of Mau Maus,” the trapper started.
East Africa, to Americanized parents also born “The group was holed up in some deep brush
in Kenya. His parents were what are known as up north of Thompson Falls. Five of us got up
econd-generation missionaries. He was a lad on one end, About a mile away our group of
lof seventeen when the Mau Mau uprising Somalis—maybe eight or ten—started in up
started in Kenya. Robert Ruark may have the open valley. They were out of sight for
referred to him in his book Something of Value. maybe forty-five minutes when we heard a
few shots. Maybe twenty minutes later the
A MAU MAU RECOLLECTION Wogs started breaking cover, running up the
valley past us.
I spent scores of nights sitting in a rondaav- “We waited till about two-thirds had passed
el listening to my friend’s incredible tales and then opened up. I knocked one down at
about the methods and devices his band of about 300 yards with an American grease
young European counterguerrillas used to gun. He was the only guy that lived. Hada
keep the lid on the Mau Maus till the British great bruise on his back where the slug hit
Army arrived. By using long-distance patrols him, but it didn’t penetrate at that range.
i to stage vicious punitive raids, they instilled so “The Somalis tracked down every one we
much fear into the hearts of the enemy tribes- didn’t get, ending the troubles in that area.
men they were able to limit their fatalities to “T always thought it was like driving white-
fewer than eighty persons. And that’s a feat no tail deer in North America,” he concluded.
man would have thought possible when Mau My friend is married now, living in the mid-
Mau first flared up. western United States. For that reason, he will
One account is still as vivid as the night remain anonymous.
he told it. That night, eight or ten of us were ~ We operated together up on the Sudanese

|
gathered around a small campfire—a roll of border during the time when the feuding
toilet paper soaked in gasoline. We were between the Christians and the Moslems grew

|
camped in the NFD area of Kenya on the really intense. Kenya, Uganda, and Ethiopia
k or: border. The Somali Shifta were the come together in what seems on a map like ©

43

et
 Ragnar’s Big Book of Homemade Weapons

_ just a small speck of territory. On the ground hill until we had excavated the rock, shoring
the terrain alternates between rough, craggy _ as we went, By the time we completed excava-
mountains and stinking rotten lowland. The - ‘tion, all that was supporting that very large
lay of the land made for tough trekking. For boulder was one stout beam.
example, it took us several weeks just to tra- ‘ In the meantime, I managed to collect
verse the short distance across the Kenya- ‘ enough old 1-centimeter cable to reach
Sudan frontier. ’ from the trail below to the rock support
We operated in good shape for several beam above.
months in Sudan. The Somali Shifta in the It took four men almost a week to haul all
area were our friends. With this group on our that rusty, trashy wire rope to the set. We cut
side, there was no real danger other than from our hands and shoulders badly on the frayed
snakes, mosquitoes, and perhaps an occasion- rope ends.
al leopard. During all this time my friend worked on
As is typical throughout Africa, the Bantu the hill removing stones, smoothing bumps,
were lazy, unimaginative, and fearful. I nev- and calculating the trajectory of the rock. He
er met one who could track or shoot much made small adjustments on the support under
better than the‘ average North American the rock, supposedly ensuring that its fall
sport hunter. - would be pinpoint-accurate.
Roads in that section of.the world are
beyond belief. Yet one day an armored person-. SPECIAL TRIGGER FOR
nel carrier loaded with soldiers came clanking: ARMORED VEHICLES
around a mountain trail. According to the .
local gossip, the central government bought The trigger for this monstrosity was, in my |
the outfit from Egypt and drove it south asa © opinion, cleverly constructed. We broughtina |
deterrent to our activities. : , log about 6 meters long, all of 50 centimeters
Every day thereafter, when the carrier would through the butt. With much effort we bal- .
run, the local police drove it out in search of our anced the log on end behind a large rock pal-
little group. The noise was so great there was lit- isade next to the road.
tle danger of being surprised by it. On the other Being ever so careful, we wedged rocks
hand, we didn’t dare expose ourselves for fear between the rock column and the log till it was"
of running amuck of the heavy machine gun. precariously balanced on end. The log could
the rusty old tin can carried. fall outward down the slope, but net inward
We resisted the temptation to snipe a cou- toward the mountain. .
ple of soldiers off the rear. * I connected the cable to this trigger log,
After a month or so of the APC’s random, ‘leaving about 2 meters of slack, and buried it
unchallenged coming and going, a change under loose earth.
came over my friend, the mantrapper. He A few days later we lit a fire at the end of
decided to get that son-of-a-bitchin’ machine. the trail. When the fire was going strong,I
threw three old tires on the flames to produce
_TANK TRAP CONSTRUCTION . some black, greasy smoke. Sure enough,
within a short time the APC camerumbling |
After a long and detailed search, we located out toinvestigate. .
a large rock about 3 meters in diameter two- . The carrier turned at the fork and crawled
thirds exposed ona steep hillside. A path up the side trail where Jack’s Tank Trap was
wound around the hill, perhaps 500 meters’ set. We scrambled up the hill to get away.
below. Although the APC never traveled that Out of respect for the machine gun, we
road, the way was navigable. stayed out of sight in a little draw. However, it
Carefully, ever so carefully, we dug into the was possible to watch the cable tighten and
 Building and Keeping Your Arsenal Secure

ARMORED PERSONNEL
CARRIER TRAP»

Balanced rock ee ses

Wood beam a ay

|
|

Balance rocks

ete
Lito
a
pee
bt
egrets
seppe
i e wood beam snap out from under the huge As planned, the vibration from the crawling
i ulder above. APC had upset the precariously balanced log. As

ee
e ; 45
 Ragniar’s Big Book of Homemade Weapons
it fell, the log gave the cable a sharp, hard pull, Next day we returned to the trap site fora
yanking the wood beam from under the rock. look. The rock had hit the path, but missed the
, With no shoring to stop it now, the rock APC. From the appearance of the tracks, the
started to roll. Moving slowly and ponderously rock fell in front of the machine. Just how close
at first, the rock continued to gather momen- it fell, we never discovered. The hole mark in
tum till it rolled out of our sight below. the ground was huge—fully 1 meter deep by 3
We heard it hit several times on its way meters across, Although the monster wasn’t
down the mountainside. Soon thereafter, the killed, it was scared off. When we left the
APC crew opened up with the heavy machine region ten weeks later, the tank still hadn't
gun and several rifles shooting at the place. dared to venture back onto that mountain.
’ where the rock had perched. ’ With that result, the operation was a success.
a
 CHAPTER 10

INTRODUCTION

Federally licensed dealers in destructive de- inch) chamber pressures, as is true with most
vices report that there is a tremendous resur- rifles, or even 10,000 psi that most shotguns
gence of interest in large-bore mortar and gre- produce, we apply a relatively benign 2,600
nade-launcher-type weapons throughout the psi when discharging an M79 or M203 round.
United States. Interest in these firearms At these chamber pressures, modest and easi-
peaked once before, just prior to the 1968 gun ly available common steel parts work perfect-
act that made it tough to own and operate ly for constructing homemade firing devices,
military weapons. By nature, the devices are relatively easy to
Even at steep $1,000-per-year license fees, make in one’s home workshop. As if this were
the number of legal dealers has increased dra- not enough, the military has gone and
matically as well, As recently as two years redesigned the cartridges so that they are
.ago, there were only a couple throughout this extremely easy to reload. Whereas 40mm
country. Now there are scores and scores of rounds were originally designed using diffi-
dealers willing and able to sell mortars, can- cult-to-prime high- and low-pressure cham-
nons, and grenade launchers legally. bers, they are now set up so that all that is
Things are also changing out on the shoot- required to recharge the case is a .38 blank. It
ing range. Owners who once unlimbered their is best if these are reloaded at home, but even
-50-caliber machine guns expecting large, this requirement is not written in stone.
appreciative audiences are coming up short. Reloadable 40mm plastic cases come as ©
Interest at military shoots now centers around close to being universally available as any
M79s, M203s, and the likes of the occasional exotic large-bore in existence. It would be
37mm Bofors cannon. There is almost univer- almost impossible; for instance, to find empty
Sal agreement that the cutting edge of 25mm Peteaux brass, or 37mm, or virtually
firearms one-upmanship has shifted to the any of the other fun stuff, but empty 40mm
Spectacular big bores. Owners and spectators cases are easily found for $.50 to $1 each.
alike are fascinated with arms that deliver a Numerous commercial manufacturers have
round on target in a colorful manner, and even come on the scene, turning out new sup-
eight ounces of high explosive thumping reso- plies for us to purchase.
lutely is colorful. Sport shooting 40mm weapons is a happy
During the 1970s and 1980s, military wea- combination of mortar, cannon, and high
; Pons designers did all of us a favor when they explosives. It takes a bit of skill to get on to
: came up with the 40mm system. Instead of them, but with practice, 40mm rounds are as
Qe with 40,000 psi (pounds per square accurate as light mortars within their firing

49
rca

Ragnar’s Big Book of Homemade Weapons

A large number of loadings

are available for the M79. One
can use smoke, tear gas, shot-
gun, white phosphorus, and,
of course, the intensely desir-
-able HE rounds. Commercial
manufacturers are even step-
‘ping up to the plate, offering
new shot, smoke, and even
white phosphorus rounds.
All of this adds up to inter-
esting times for military big-
bore enthusiasts. Although it
is not the early 1960s again,
makers are faced with the rel-
atively easy task of construct-
ing a firing device out of com-
mon materials, and ammo is
common and relatively easy
Two models of home-built 40mm weapons: M79 (left) and M203 (right) ready to be ‘to reload. The information
attached to a rifle. ' that follows provides in-depth
analysis and guidelines for
distance. Grunts who practiced ‘daily in the home builder of the most entertaining and
Viemam learned that they could put nine out interesting big-bore military systems of all: the
of ten HE rounds through a hooch door. _ 40mm M79 and M203.
.

50
 CHAPTER 11

HOME CONSTRUCTION OF AN M79

Construction of a good, Parts List for M79 are hard on stocks, so

effective, reliable M79 in choose a stout military va-
one’s basement workshop 16-inch length of 1 1/2-inch (inside riety if possible.
is so simple that most diameter) standard-weight steel pipe After this the assem-
people will require only 9-inch length of 2-inch (inside diam- bler will require a breech
this chapter’s photo- eter) heavy-walled steel pipe sleeve and barrel. The
graphs to complete the 1 1/2-inch length of 1 1/2-inch steel breechblock is made from
: job. Gun nuts no longer pipe , some of the same materi-
@:: furtively fantasize 2-inch long 3/4-inch bolt al used in the barrel. Con-
: about fun-filled after- Three heavy-duty hose clamps (ap- struction of the breech-
noons pooping out heavy proximately 4-inch) block and firing pin, com-
grenades. My estimate is Twelve 1/4 x 28 Allen screws 3/4- prising the third com-
that hundreds if not thou- inch long ponent group, definitely
sands of fun-loving read- One 3/4-inch heavy flat washer hav- constitutes the only part
ers will construct their ing approximately 2-inch diameter of this project requiring
own M79, and not a sin- Three 5/16-inch machine-thread mechanical ability past
gle person will spend nuts the level of the average
more than $50 for parts, One 5/16-inch machine-thread bolt cocker spaniel.
nor invest more than a 3 inches long Starting from the top,
week's work (forty hours) One surplus rifle stock go to the nearest full-ser-
assembling them. vice steel warehouse, weld-
There are three major components for ing shop, machine shop, or well driller’s sup-
which the builder must scrounge a bit. For ply house. You will need to purchase two
some of these acquisitions, circumstances and pieces of steel pipe. The best, strongest pipe
luck play a minor role, All can be purchased if commonly available is DOM, which trans-
need be. The first, falling squarely in the cate- lates roughly into “drawn over mandrel”
gory of “it’s nice if you can scrounge this. piece pipe. DOM pipe has no seam and is generally
from your old parts bin,” is a surplus rifle considered to be tougher material than stan-
Stock, The stock can be military, commercial, dard pipe, better able to withstand higher
or even surplus in origin. Almost any precut internal pressures. In some places in the
rifle stock will work, Buy one if you must, but it United States, DOM pipe is not available; if
' @ always nice to use that old stock you have that’s the case in your area, use the best high-
ad lying around for years. Forty millimeters grade steel pipe available. In my area,

$1
 Ragnar’s Big Book of Homemade Weapons

machine shops don’t carry DOM pipe. The ciently snug so that one must push fairly reso-
steel pipe they do carry will reportedly with- lutely to get the case inserted all the way.
stand 10,000-psi pressures which, even with- Later you will polish out the bore of the
out the heavy breech piece, is absolutely ade- weapon with fine emery cloth so that the
quate for the intended purpose. Steel pipe rounds drop in easily. At this time all that is
required for this project is not of the type one needed is an indication that the correct pipe is
is likely to find in plumbing shops. indeed in hand. When you decap the nylon
For the breech, purchase one 9-inch-long case first, the machine shop attendant will
piece of 2-inch diameter heavy-walled steel almost certainly be unaware of the origin of
pipe. Standard-walled 2-inch will not, in this your gauge, as 40mm cartridges do not really
case, work. Be sure to specify heavy-walled 2- - look like cartridges.
inch pipe. Have the shop cut the pipe stock Test the two pipes by ensuring that the bar-
and then clean the newly cut ends with their rel piece (16 inches long, 1 1/2 inches in
reamer. By so doing they will smooth off the diameter) will slide closely inside the breech
sharp edge and burrs in a much neater fash- piece (9 inches long, 2-inch inside diameter).
ion than one can ever hope to accomplish at First-time M79 builders can be certain they
home. The extra dollar or so spent on this are on the correct track for size and wall thick-
operation is money extremely well spent. ness by purchasing both the barrel and
M79 barrels can be any length the builder ‘breech pipé at the same time. The only disad-
desires. Accuracy and range are not sacrificed vantage to purchasing both items at the same
by short barrels. Issue M79s have 14-inch bar- shop is the fact that the clerk may ask ques-
rels. Many gun nuts feel that length is a bit tions you may not wish to answer.:
short for the style of weapon they are build- While at the machine shop, have a piece of
ing, opting instead for a barrel about 16 1 1/2-inch stock cut 1 1/2 inches long. This -
inches long. at piece will become part of the breech later on
Select a piece of standard-weight steel pipe in the construction process. The short piece
with,a 1 1/2-inch inside diameter. Check to can only be reamed on one side since it is
see that it is the correct diameter by push- too short to lock into the power-cutting
ing an empty 40mm case into the tool. This
pipe. The empty should fit suffi- will not be a
problem in the
Use any sturdy surplus stock you have on final assembly.
hand or can purchase reasonably On the way
(left). Polish out one end of the 1.
1/2" pipe with fine emery cloth
until the 40mm cases slip in
and out easily (middle).
Thin-walled 1 1/2" steel
pipe should slip inside
heavy-walled 2" steel
pipe breech
(right).
 home from the machine shop, stop at the
largest full-service hardware store in the area.
Purchase one 3/4-inch bolt 2 inches long,
three heavy-duty 4-inch hose clamps, a dozen
1/4 x 28 Allen screws 3/4-inch long, a 3/4-inch
flat washer with a 2-inch overall diameter,
three 5/16-inch machine-thread nuts, and one
3-inch-long bolt of the same thread.
Larger flat washers come with various-
sized inside holes. The trick here is to find a
heavy washer with a 2-inch outside diameter
and as small an internal hole as possible.
One hopes your hardware store will have one
that will work. If not, try a farm and imple-
ment store. Tell the clerk what you need; he Polish down 3/4" washer on the bench grinder until It slides
will almost certainly scrounge one up for you. into the 2" breech piece.
Try to come up with a washer with an
approximate 3/4-inch center opening.
A dozen Allen screws is probably too many Back in your shop, select the cleanest, most
for the task at hand, but they tend to break open end of the 1 1/2-inch barrel pipe for the
and get lost on the floor. Buying a dozen pre- chamber and polish it out. Securely weld the
vents emergency trips to the hardware store in 3/4-inch bolt to the other end of the barrel 3
the middle of the night. 1/2 inches from the muzzle. Take particular
-_ The 4-inch hose clamps are used to secure caution to stand the bolt out perpendicular to
@: breech piece to the rifle stock. Depending the barrel, and to weld it securely all the way
n the stock finally scrounged, it may be nec- ‘round. (A friend inadvertently welded the
essary to use clamps from as small as 3 inches bolt to the breech end, necessitating another
up to 5 inches, A surplus 03 Springfield, En- two hours of polishing the chamber.)
field, or Mauser stock will all work with 4-inch Customarily, 2-inch washers are very thick.
hose clamps. Larger Enfields will require larg- Should the ones found in your area be under
er clamps. Stocks a bit long can be trimmed 1/4 inch in thickness, however, it will be nec-
back easily to suit the builder’s fancy. essary to weld two together to provide the nec-
essary heft. Factory-new 2-inch washers will
not slip into the weapon’s 2-inch breech piece
A 2"-long 3/4"
easily. Using a common bench grinder with
t bolt welded to
barrel 3 1/2"
medium stone, grind down the washer round
and round till it slips down into the breech
L from muzzle. The easily and evenly. This work can be accom-
i, weld must be very plished by holding the washer with thick
A Secure,
leather gloves, allowing it to rotate as it is
dressed down by the grinding wheel. Test it in
‘ the breech often as the work proceeds so that
§ as smooth a fit as possible is maintained.
E
t On completion of the washer fitting, lay it
F
t
on a heavy iron anvil or large vise. Place a
5/16-inch machine-thread nut in the center
hole, being sure it is flat on the down side.
Very carefully braze the nut into the center of
the washer. Be especially careful to protect the
 Ragnar’s Big Book of Homemade Weapons
A 3/4" steel washer with 5/16" nut Cut the head from a 5/16"
brazed in center, Finished firing pin machine bolt. Use the
and lock nuts also shaft portion to tuna
shown (above), firing pin,
Side view of
the breech
washer ‘fs
welded to
11/2"
pipe piece,
Note two
craters that
act as seats for
Allen screws (right).
Close-up of locking Allen screw,
one of three used on breech tube
of the M79 (below).
Slide the
washer, with
nut and 1 1/2-
inch ring at-
tached, into the
breech pipe and
tighten down the
three Allen screws to mark the breechblock ring
inside. Withdraw the ring and drill shallow
craters at the places it is marked. Replace the
ting again, this time tightening the Allen
screws and securing it solidly into the main
breech piece. Torque down the Allen screws as
securely as possible. Some might break during
this procedure, but they can be replaced easily.
Any machining required during the course «
; nut's threads and of this project is included in the next step: -
‘ to maintain its center making an adjustable firing pin.
alignment. This nut will eventual- Thread the 5/16-inch bolt down to its
ly retain the firing pin, providing you an head, assuming it was not possible to pur-
important opportunity to adjust the pin in chase a prethreaded bolt of the correct size.
and out. ; a Using a hacksaw, cut the head from the bolt
Lay the small 1 1/2-inch-long ring of.1 and carefully grind the cut end flat.
1/2-inch pipe on the washer carefully and Now, carefully wrap tape around the end
braze the two together evenly. The center hole of the bolt to protect the threads. Chuck the
of the washer must lay exactly in the center bolt, tape end first, into a 1/2-inch drill. This
of the ring. Braze them all into one solid drill is about to become your lathe to turn the
mass, again paying close attention to pre- bolt into a firing pin. Clamp the drill into a
serving the nut’s threads in the center of the vise or tie it securely to a tabletop.
washer, .” Turn the drill on, rotating the bolt shaft.
Using a 13/64 drill, drill three opposing Using a 4-inch fine flat file, work the bolt
holes through the breech piece 3/4 inch from down to a fine pin diameter of about 1/16
the rear of the piece. Tap them with your 1/4 x inch. Cut the pin back only 3/8 inch from the
28 tap. Try the new holes with the Allen screws, end of the bolt. When the pin is the correct
but do not set the screws permanently in place. diameter, put a sharply beveled point on it.
 Building and Keeping Your Arsenal Secure

Take the pin out of the drill, remove the Face of firing pin assembly
e tape, and cut a shallow screwdriver slot with a with firing pin pro-
truding through
‘hacksaw on the opposite end. This entire washer,
operation may take thirty minutes or more,
assuming it is done correctly the first time, but
on completion the firing pin is ready to be breech piece,
screwed into the breechblock piece. Set it in now with fir- -
the block so that it barely protrudes through ing pin in-
the washer and nut. Set it too long and it will Stalled, to the
tend to bend or break. Set it short and it will rifle stock using
fail to detonate the round. three hose clamps.
Some trial and error is required at this Although the recoil from
point. Punch the propellant cartridges out of the weapon is more of a gentle nudge than a
several 40mm empties, then recap and reset sharp kick, there is still enough there to back
them in the 40mm cases. (Complete data on the round, smooth breech piece through two
cartridge loading is included in Chapter 5.) clamps. Three are recommended.
Use these primed cases to test the action of Since this is a fairly powerful and potent
your new M79. firearm, I recommend test
If you have not already done so, secure the firing at least two
military rounds
through the newly
made weapon
from a tied-down
position. Use mili-
tary'ammo rather
than reloads, pro-

Completed firing pin

assembly installed in
breech pipe. Note screw-
driver slot and secure braze
holding assembly to pipe.

Clamp the completed breech to the rifle stock. Test the firing
Wrap tape around bolt threads and chuck into fastened- pin using primed cases; test completed M79 with military sur-
lown 1/2" drill. Work the end down to 1/16" for the firing plus rounds. :
in,

55
 Ragnar’s Big Book of Homemade Weapons

Completed home-built M79 especially suited to home manufac-

ready for action. ture. The weapon is ideal in
that it is so high-tech it has
become low-tech.
At the conclusion of the test-
ing, some owners may wish to
chuck a wire brush into their grinders and
burnish the metal parts. A thin coat of black
spray paint gives the finished M79 an espe-
cially ferocious appearance.
It does not appear necessary to install
viding only one set of variables under one test either a safety or sights on home-built M79s.
at one time. Sights are fairly complex to build or expen-
Ldy a piece of clean white cloth over the sive to buy if one uses surplus parts, and they
breech and then a piece of heavy canvas over are not particularly effective anyway. Most
that. Load up the barrel. Using the 3/4-inch people learn to do quite nicely using only esti-
bolt as a handle, slam the loaded barrel lock, mation and Kentucky windage. Because it is
into the breech to discharge the weapon. By easily possible to see the round in flight, it
this time, the maker should be familiar with takes but ten or fifteen practice tries to be-
the firing action as a result of the trial-and- come surprisingly proficient.
error setting of the firing pin when using” A good, sharp tug on the barrel is required
primed cases. to fire the cartridge, so a mechanical safety is
The weapon generates little noise on dis- mostly superfluous. If a safety seems absolute-
charge. In that regard the newly built M79 ly necessary, drill a 1/16-inch hole in the
can be test-fired in fairly populated areas. breech just ahead of the breechblock. Insert a
However, the range is greater than one ~ piece of piano wire (purchased from a hobby
might normally expect. Caution is advised shop) in the hole so that it lies between the
lest you too drop a smoke round on the round and the firing pin. When ready to fire,
neighbor’s porch. just pull the wire.
Assuming one has taken the time to adjust Remember, this is a big, powerful weapon.
the firing pin correctly and has torqued in the Do things carefully and properly. Even then, it
breech piece securely, there should be no is extremely easy to injure oneself in the pro-
problems. This is a low-pressure weapon, cess. Let the builder beware.

56
 CHAPTER 12

HOME CONSTRUCTION OF AN M203

gi Constructing a good, Parts List for M203 other high-grade seamless

i workable M203 in your steel pipe stock for your
& home workshop is not as 4-inch length of 2-inch (inside diame- breech. Have the shop cut
simple as building an ter) heavy-walled steel pipe it 4 inches in length.
** M79, but it is still possible 12-inch length of 1 1/2-inch steel pipe While there, also have the
for those who are only 5/8-inch length of 1 1/2-inch steel pipe machine shop ream out
marginally mechanically Four 3/4-inch heavy steel flat washers the freshly cut ends, pro-
“¢ inclined. The project will, ‘Seven 1/4-inch steel flat washers ducing a nice, clean rim
ike the M79, cost less than Round piece of tin, exact size of 40mm free of sharp lips or nicks.
ie: for supplies, but the case ; The barrel piece is cut
Be . wise builder will budget a One 5/16-inch machine bolt, 6 inches from 1 1/2-inch standard-
minimum of sixty hours of long weight DOM stock or
construction time. Two 5/16-inch machine nuts other high-grade, seam-
“¢ Building a workable One 5/8 x 4-inch compression spring less steel tubing of the
“£ breech mechanism con- One 3/8 x 3-inch compression spring same general type as the
taining a functional firing Piano wire breech piece. Slide an
‘£ pin requires quite a bit of One 1x 1 1/2 x 4-inch wood mount- empty 40mm cartridge
welding. Some of this ing block into the tubing to be sure
welding must be done with Three heavy-duty 4-inch steel hose the diameter is correct.
a fair degree of precision. clamps Slide the barrel piece
af In the end, the trigger is through the breech piece
more Mickey Mouse than clever high-tech, but as well, being certain that the fit is close.
it has the distinction of being workable. Barrel length for an M203 is a matter of
After my having issued those appropriate personal preference, with everything from 9
disclaimers, do not be dismayed or discour- to 16 inches being workable. Lesser lengths
aged. A good, workable M203 can be yours if are lighter and as accurate as longer, arguing
you persevere and are willing to possibly do for a 10- or 12-inch model. As with the breech ~
Several of the steps over again without be- piece, ask the machine shop to thoroughly
oming unduly discouraged. ream out the ends, removing burrs and over-
=, first thing, head straight to your nearest, hang left over from the cutting process.
mee MOst'user-friendly steel supplier or machine At this time, also have the shop cut a 5/8-
shop. Purchase one piece of heavy-walled 2- inch piece of 1 1/2-inch stock to be used later
Cy (inside diameter) DOM steel pipe or as a breechblock retainer. Because of the short
wey
57
 Ragnar’s Big Book of Homemade Weapons
. length, only one side of the piece can be
Polish out the chamber of
reamed. This should constitute no problem , the M203 and weld two
during final assembly. studs 1" from the
In your shop at home, use a piece of fine breech end. These
emery cloth to polish out one end of the bar- welds must be very
solid and not
rel so that the 40mm rounds drop easily into sloppy (right).
the chamber.
Measure in one inch from the polished
chamber end of the barrel and punch a
mark on the outside. Exactly 180
degrees around the other side, mark
and punch again. Using the solid shaft
portion (not the threaded end) of a 1/4-
inch machine bolt as stock, weld two 3/4-inch
studs securely onto the barrel at the locations Completed M203 barrel with
marked. This operation must be done with an locking studs welded in
arc welder, and it must be.accomplished so Completed
place (left).
that the two studs stand out absolutely breech piece
straight and are as solid as electric welding ~ showing L slot and
can make them. These studs must also be on two Allen screws that
hold firing pin mechanism
exact opposite sides of the barrel. , (below).
Using a large flat file, trim off the excess
weld from around the studs. These studs will
eventually secure the barrel.to the breech by.
sliding into slots cut in the breech piece, Look
ahead in this chapter to determine which sur-
faces should be smoothed down with the file.
Obviously, if all are taken completely off, the
studs will retain little strength.
Slide the barrel piece;:stud end first, into
the breech piece until movement is stopped
by the two studs. Mark the spot on the breech A 3/4"
piece rim where the two studs hit. Using either heavy steel
a hacksaw, file,orsaber saw equipped with washer with 1/4" washer
metal blade, cut two slots'down into the lying in center, ready to
breech piece, Keep tthe slots as narrow and be brazed together
(right).
straight as possible while still allowing space .
for the studs to pass through.
When the in-and-out slot is from 3/4- to
l-inch deep, cut two slots at right angles
paralleling the end of the breech piece.
These L slots allow the user to turn the
breech piece around the barrel studs, locking
the two pieces together. Cut both right-angle
slots simultaneously at least 3/4-inch long,
testing the fit often. The job is completed
successfully. when the breech piece will tum
and lock. ; :
 : Building and Keeping Your Arsenal Secure
me t-
{ is helpful to use a small rattail file or breech piece via the L slots previously complet-
° ¥
ain-saw file to cut two small circular. ed. Drop the washer in on the barrel through
«chambers at the end of the L slots so the the back of the breech piece. It should be possi-
¥ studs can slip into these positions and hold ble to see the exact center of the 40mm case
*the assembly together. through the 1/4-inch hole in the washer. Take
i The easy portion of assembling an M203 is this washer back out for now.
‘now behind the builder. What comes next is Cut an old piece of tin can, tin sheet, or
‘often frustrating and difficult for the mechan- copper to the exact circular dimension of the
‘ically disinclined. 40mm round. Drop the circular metal piece
Purchase four heavy-bodied 3/4-inch (hole) down onto the empty 40mm case and place
’ washers having approximately a 2-inch diame- the washer back inside the breech tube over
ter, These are always available in farm supply the top of the tin circle. Be sure the package is
‘stores and usually available from full-service packed together tightly and that both tin and
hardware stores. Polish down alli four washers washer bear down flat against the 40mm
very slightly so that they will just slide into the case. Punching a neat, clear hole in the center
“t 2-inch breech piece. This is best done by rotat- of the tin spacer helps immensely to keep all
t ing them gently on a rapidly turning stone of a the centers lined up.
‘bench grinder. Wear heavy leather gloves or Using either a gas or electric welder, weld
Fr: else other more expensive parts besides the the washer in place inside the breech tube.
Weld it completely around, as opposed to
Heavy 3/4-inch washers of an approxi- tacking in three or four places. Theoretically,
ate diameter of 2 inches will just about con- the tin piece will prevent the weld from heat-
ain a regular 1/4-inch flat washer in the cen- ing up the empty case while it does its job of
C The fit is actually a bit sloppy, and providing the correct space in the breech.
: 1/4-inch flat washer is much thinner than After welding, the tin piece is discarded.
meetie 3/4-incher, so eventually two will be used. Weld only the rear of the breech washer, Even
&. Carefully place the 1/4-inch washer flat a very smooth, professional weld on the front
4inside the turned down 3/4-inch washer, laying (cartridge) side of the washer will destroy the
~ both on an anvil, steel vise, or other flat mas- headspacing of the barrel (if one can use this
asive steel surface. Center the hole in the 1/4- term under these circumstances).
inch washer exactly inside the larger, cut-down By grinding and brazing, prepare a sec-
:2-incher. Being ever so exacting, using a small ond 2-inch washer like the one already
zflame to keep movement down, braze the welded fast inside the breech piece. Drop it
‘Smaller washer to the larger. After that washer in on top of the first washer. The two 1/4-
14s secure, place a.second in the hole exactly inch holes should align perfectly with each
| Over the first and braze it fast. These two wash- other and the primer in the cartridge below.
ts together provide sufficient heft to match the © A metal rim left from welding the first
4outside washer when brazed solid all around. breech washer in place should hold the sec-
; Brazing tends to warp the pieces out of ond, most rearward washer off the face of
alignment a bit. Take great care that the hole the first about 1/4 to 3/8 of an inch, provid-
henthe finished product is centered and that ing free travel space for the firing pin. A
t the brazed package is absolutely flush flat on sloppy job of welding in the first breech
4One side, If it is not flush and flat, it may be washer will quickly put the kibosh on the
{ Possible to grind or file the lumps out. If the project at this point. ‘
hole is not centered, throw the washer away Doing everything by eyeball measure pro-
ind start over. vides numerous opportunities for inaccura-
#, Place an empty, unprimed 40mm round in cies, especially for those with no aptitude as
Cy barrel piece. Lock the barrel onto the machinists. Fortunately, the steel breech piece

59

cy
 Ragnar’s Big Book of Homemade Weapons

and washers used so far are very inexpensive. A 1/4" steel washer brazed inside a
c
Little except time is lost by going back and 3/4" steel washer, forming a solid
starting over. ; unit, One side must be perfectly
flat, as this completed washer
Assuming all looks proper, slide the small shows,
5/8 x 1 1/2-inch piece of steel pipe into the
breech, This is used to keep the second backing
washer in place. Drill a single 13/64-inch hole
into the breech piece and tap it with a 1/4 x 28
tap. Secure the steel ring in the breech with an
Allen screw set in as tightly as possible. Tin spacer that will tem-
Construction and final assembly of the fir- : porarily be placed over an
empty round in the M203
ing pin constitute the last major hurdle facing ° barrel.
the M203 builder. Start the pin construction
process by cutting the head from a 6-inch-
long 5/16-inch machine bolt. Save the
threads on the opposite end for later.
Wrap a piece of heavy tape around the ~ Place completed washer in
threads and chuck the steel shaft, threaded breech piece (locked to bar-
end first, into a 1/2-inch drill. Using a 4-inch rel), with tin spacer sepa-
rating washer and a round
file, cut a fine tip ori‘the bolt approximately in the chamber, Weld
1/16 inch in diameter and 3/8 inch long. © washer fast to breech piece,
Three-eighths is too long for the firing pin tip . maintaining headspace estab-
but is about as short as one can cut it using lished by the empty round and
tin spacer.
semiprimitive home workshop tools. At the
end of the process, slope the shaft leading up
to the firing pin so that it will slip through the
washer assembly easily. Trim the firing pin tip
back till it’s about 1/4 inch long. If you did
not shorten the tip, the firing pin will bend
and break after only a very few rounds.
Drop the turned-down firing pin through . The 1 1/2" steel pipe
’ the two breech washers, allowing it to pro- piece dropped in
trude out the cartridge side of the breechblock * breech as spacer, with
firing pin washer
assembly about 1/4 inch, including the short- _ , dropped in on top of
ened pin itself. Mark the pin shaft at the spot welded washer-spacer
immediately above the second rearmost and second washer.
washer set inside the breech tube. This is a
very critical and sensitive measurement—one
that, if done incorrectly, may lead to the turn-
ing down of a second firing pin.
Drill a 1/16-inch hole through the firing pin
at the mark. This hole marks the farthest point
forward that the firing pin can travel. Push a
cotter pin through the hole and place a 5/16-
inch washer on the steel shaft behind the cot-
ter key. Place a 5/8 x 4-inch compression Start construction of firing pin,
spring down on the washer: Quite a bit of force assembly by cutting the head offa 5/16"
must be exerted on the firing pin by this machine bolt. .

60
Building and Keeping Your Arsenal Secure

Lock rear retainer washer into

breechblock assembly.

Add several heavy wash-

ers and nuts to firing pin
to give it weight.

Chuck the bolt in a 1/2" drill. Work the tip down to a 1/16" x snap, use a second 3/8 x 3-inch spring that
3/8" firing pin. Shorten the pin to 1/4" so that it will not bend rides on the shaft under the main spring.
or break,
Construct one last trimmed-down 2-inch
washer with two 1/4-inch flat washers
spring. It may be neces- ‘brazed in its center. This washer becomes the
sary: to include a sec- rear spring retainer on the breechblock fir-
ond, smaller and short- ing mechanism. Drill and tap two or three
er compression spring holes for 1/4-inch Allen screws at the rear lip
inside the bigger 5/8- of the breech piece. Cinch these Allen screws
inch main spring. Try down onto the washer thoroughly, locking
the 5/8-inch spring the spring and firing pin to the rear of the
first; if it doesn’t breech mechanism.
have enough Thread a nut on the firing pin threads,
Drop the pin ‘ which are hopefully still intact. Place two
through the breech heavy washers on the pin and lock them in
washers so that it will place with a second nut and flat washer.
protrude Into the firing
chamber about 1/4", a suffi-
These washers give the user a place to grab
cient length to discharge the while providing enough shaft weight to pop a
40mm cartridge. Mark the pin 40mm primer. Try the mechanism on empty,
shaft above the rearmost washer and primed 40mm cases. It is sometimes difficult
drill a 1/16" hole at this spot. Place a to find springs with sufficient force that, when
cotter pin through the hole.
attached to the firing pin shaft, they will con-

61
 Ragnar’s Big Book of Homemade Weapons
sistently. set off the primer: Adding mass to
the Pull firing pin as far back as
shaft facilitates the process. possible, mark the spot,
The best trigger is a simple wire-pull affair. and drill a 1/16" hole for
Drill a small 1/16-inch hole in the firing pin shaft trigger wire. Insert trigger
at the spot where the pin is pulled back to its wire.
maximum length. Insert a length of piano wire
in the hole with a loop bent on the other end.
Pulling the wire releases the pin, firing the M203.
To mount the device on a rifle, cut a 4-inch
piece of hardwood block approximately 1x1
1/2 x 4 inches long. Using a hand saw, cut a
shallow groove to fit the M203 barrel and a
narrower groove to fit the rifle barrel. Each rifle
will have its own unique block designed to hold
the breech piece away from the weapon so it
can be reloaded. The block also keeps the .
40mm barrel from tilting into the rifle barrel so
that one does not shoot the end off the other.
Home-built M203s are a bit more cumber-
some than military-issue versions, and the | M203 firing
pin removed
trigger mechanism is not really a trigger as ;
from breech,
we know it. The device does work, however, showing hole
and can be extremely effective, lobbing large for trigger wire.
1/2-pound grenades out as far as 200 to 300
hundred yards or more.

The M203 is fastened to a rifle using 1" block of wood with cut
groove. Angle the barrel so that one does not shoot the other off.
Use three hose clamps to ensure stability.

This home-built M203 must be tested first device is reliable before using it to launch
with empty, primed cases and then with mili- homemade explosive rounds.
tary practice rounds. Be absolutely certain the
 CHAPTER 13

INTRODUCTION

Paramilitary survivors and others who the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, and Fire-
have seriously contemplated their circum- arms (BATF) boys will not be looking for
stances realize they need a powerful weapon flamethrowers.
to deal with armored police and/or military Military-grade flamethrowers can be built
vehicles, including tanks and armored person- and operated legally by virtually anyone will-
nel carriers (APCs). Survivors also know that ing to invest the time and sweat. Unlike explo-
they might need a means by which to hold off sives requiring special training, flamethrowers
a large number of hostile people. can be used by anyone who can operate a gar-
To prepare for these and other survival sce- den hose and will take a few weekends to prac-
arios, some have acquired superaccurate tice. For those willing to scrounge and impro-
sniper rifles, homemade mortars, automatic vise, the cost can be held to an extremely mod-
weapons, exotic explosives, or Molotov cock- est amount. So there is no reason for any sur-
tails. Unfortunately, these weapons aren't vivor who might one day face otherwise over-
effective against extensive firepower and/or whelming situations not to have a flame-
military-type police hardware. thrower. In inner-city locations, the owner of a
Most traditional defenses have severe limi- flamethrower would almost certainly domi-
tations. Sniper rifles, no matter how well han- nate his surroundings. Any survival bunker or
dled, are totally ineffective against buttoned- retreat would be impregnable when defended
up armor. High explosives are dangerous, usu- by a determined owner with a good
ally illegal, and require considerable skill to flamethrower and a modest supply of easily
deploy because they are perishable and must acquired fuel.
be stored for an indeterminate period of time Imagine a small army ofpolice, armed to
against the day of need. the teeth, pulling up in bulletproof cruisers.
Many of the most highly desirable devices Confidently and arrogantly, they confront
are also highly illegal. Legality—or the lack what they suppose is a hapless victim, trem-
thereof—may not be the determining factor bling in his retreat. Crouching behind their
for hard-core paramilitarists, but under some vehicles, they deliver their ultimatum: surren-
circumstances, it could be a consideration. der or be blasted to oblivion.
Certainly some sort of destructive-device or Using his homemade dragon, the survivor
weapons ordinance prohibiting possession of silently proceeds to slime his attackers, their
q flamethrowers could be dredged up in places cruisers, and the ground around them with
E Such as California or New York. In most unlit napalm. The defender doesn’t ignite the
@=: however, one can safely assume that napalm in order to limit his own exposure to
B -

65
me
 Ragnar’s Big Book of Homemade Weapons
the extremely volatile chemical (it is hoped described in this book, even the smaller
that none of the invaders were smoking as portable models, have great range when used
they were being sprayed). Outside, his oppo- with heavily thickened fuel. The basic differ-
nents find that they are unable to wipe the ence is that portable units will not deliver the
slime from their clothing or skin. large volume of conflagration that a larger
As an added precaution—depending on the semistationary model will. A good compro-
prevailing winds, the intensity of the threat, mise would be to mount a medium-sized
and the amount of fuel available—the sur- dragon on an all-terrain vehicle, providing
vivor may lay down a napalm barrier between firepower, mobility, and versatility.
his position and the attackers. Jelled napalm, With the element of surprise assured, one
as delivered from the flamethrower, will should not underestimate the effective
remain in an extremely dangerous form for a deployment of this device from a well-chosen
period of days. In some cases, its volatility defensive position. The range of raw, unlit,
may remain a week or more. Rain will eventu- thickened napalm, when thrown into a calm
ally wash the substance away, but certainly © environment, will be 150 feet or more
not immediately. ws ‘ depending on one’s position. If the wind is
If they have a lick of sense, the opposition cooperating, the results could be quite
(despite their firepower and hardware) will dynamic. Theoretically, a defender could .
recognize their extremely exposed position. neutralize a hostile group at a distance of a.
They will likely deduce that the survivor-could couple of city blocks or more. ’
easily fire a flare into the napalm, instanta- Once having coated the enemy and/or
neously wiping out the whole war party. established a napalmed perimeter, one need
Switching on the burner and giving them . do little more than sit back and wait for devel-
another shot of ignited material would settle opments. It may even be appropriate to deto-
. the issue rather resolutely, destroying the. nate the napalm from another position should °
armed force and most of their equipment. the attackers persist in their hostile behavior. If
This use of the flamethrower is strictly the authorities were to bring up an armored
defensive, useful from set (and often hidden) vehicle, the defenders might elect to fry it with-
positions. The flamethrower can be quite out further delay before the attackers under-
noisy, causing survivors to worry that-its loca- stand what they face. .
tion (and theirs) might be revealed, but the. Unless one expects to defend against
machine can be muffled and made to run planes, helicopters, and/or mortars, a flame-
almost silently. For people who want more thrower offers the ultimate in retreat protec-
portability out of their weapons for defensive tion against ground attack. As an added
and offensive use while on the move, bonus, flamethrowers are legal, relatively easy
flamethrowers can be scaled down easily and to build, reasonably inexpensive, and-use
quickly to allow additional mobility. Models common, inexpensive fuels.

66
 CHAPTER 14

HISTORY OF FLAMETHROWERS

Light rain misted over the sparse trees, released from their positions into the light
bushes, and grass that remained after sixty westerly wind. Deadly fumes wafted toward
days of heavy artillery bombardment. German the British lines. At one point they generated a
troops commanded by the Duke of Wirttem- cloud of death five miles long and more than
berg were scheduled to charge out of their forty feet deep. A year earlier, this action
muddy cesspool trenches at first light and take would have decided the battle immediately,
the Chateau de Hooge from the British. Two but that morning the British donned their
A unsuccessful attempts and the unseasonably newly issued rubberized ponchos, hoods, and
et weather—which had turned the ground breathing masks. Although crude, these
long the Menin Road three miles east of Ypres devices had enabled British defenders during
in Belgian Flanders into thin, runny, gruel-like the past week to gun down German infantry-
mud—had dampened the Germans’ opti- men as they followed the gas cloud into no-
mism. Conditions on that gray, drizzly morn- man’s land.
ing of July 30, 1915, left even poets and histo- Though the British were equipped for poi-
rians groping for words to describe the horror. son gas, they saw something new that day for
Men were being choked by poison gas or which they were unprepared. Between fifty
pounded to protoplasm at a collective rate of and one hundred “flame projectors,” as they ©
more than 11,000 per day. At one point, a were called at the time, had arrived at the
British attack penetrated four miles along a German lines the week before. As is so often
nine-mile front, with only 18,000 killed or the case, German commanders anxious to
wounded, leading commentators to assert that capitalize on any tiny advantage rushed the
the action was a good one, characterized by untried weapons into the hands of untrained
“acceptably light casualties.” men who carried them to the front in an inde-
Starting at 3:00 a.m. German artillery fire cisive manner. Similarly, the British rushed
saturated British lines, commanded by the into action with their tanks, the Americans
popular but stoically methodical British - with their squad automatic weapons, the
General, Sir Herbert Plumer. Rounds, includ- French with their fighter planes.
ing some newly developed flammable projec- The first flame projectors consisted of bulky
tiles, fell at a steady rate of twenty or more per brass cylinders capable of carrying about six
minute. As on their two previous attempts to gallons of fuel and a leather-gasketed pump
capture the Hooge on July 21 and 24, the that created twenty-five to thirty pounds of
Germans also used copious numbers of gas pressure per square inch (psi). The Germans
unds and large cylinders of compressed gas lacked the ability to thicken the fuel, so range

67
 Ragnar’s Big Book of Homemade Weapons A
was limited to about forty yards under ideal M2AI-7 Portable
conditions. The fuel was a mixture of lamp oil flamethrower (U.S.).
and gasoline, with perhaps a small percentage
of pitch (contrary to British speculation that
the fuel was a coal-tar product). It was ignited
by a crude oil-soaked cotton wick that func-
tioned as the pilot light for the sprayer nozzle.
As a result of the thin fuel and the relatively
weak pump pressures, ranges were such that
the user had to charge right up to the lip of the
enemy's track before the device had the slight-
est effect. The burning wick exposed the user
to the enemy, and shortly defenders knew ——
what to guard against.
The flamethrowers had other flaws as well.
Simple tanks were fastened to a crude rack
that was in turn strapped to the user, creating
weight and balance problems for the soldier.
Severely limiting its usefulness was the fact
that the user could expect about five shots
before emptying the reservoirs. If the flaming
wick didn’t attract fatal fire, the hapless sol-
dier found he had at best a minute or
two of combat effectiveness before

running
out of fuel.
In that re-
: gard, flame-
throwers were not particularly effective
weapons, but their presence that day—along
with napalm artillery rounds, which were
mixed with high explosives and gas canisters
M9E1-7 and used for the first time in modern warfare—
portable
flamethrower so surprised the British that they surrendered
WU.S.). their forward positions (although
the use of napalm was a major
tactical leap, many of the
details went unnoted or have
been lost with time). Historical
accounts noted that the British suf-
fered about 2,000 killed, wounded, or
captured that morning. The three-tiered orga-
nization by both armies precluded a victory by
either side. An attacking force quickly overran
its communications line before reaching the
third system of trenches, Advancing troops
sometimes were shelled by their own artillery;
 flamethrowers along their channel coasts to
thwart Nazi invasions.
Given the experiences in Europe and the
perceived need in the South Pacific, U.S. tacti-
cians reasoned that man-carried flamethrow-
ers would be ideal to clear Japanese bunkers.
LPO-50 ey But they soon realized it was not possible to
flamethrower Be. project unthickened gasoline, motor oil, or coal
(USS.R.)- Z oil any appreciable distance. Late in 1942, the
ea U.S. Chemical Warfare Service contracted
= with the Standard Oil Development Com-
ah pany for materials that could be mixed in
the field with common petroleum
products to produce napalm.
Standard Oil was able to quickly
produce a material that:
“,,. throws a cohesive rod
of fire with such accuracy that
it can be directed into a two-
inch bunker slit sixty yards
away. The jet, traveling at
nearly two miles a minute,
does not billow out but strikes
its target as a solid, glowing
stream, then splatters and sticks
to any object, blazing with terrific
heat that destroys guns and all life
or, at best, they were were forced to wait while within a pillbox.”
the enemy repaired the breech. ’ The thickening agents developed by
Although the first use of flamethrowers was Standard Oil were simply mixtures of alu-
historically indecisive, the event was briefly minum and soap, but they were treated as
noted by several writers. More than seventy- closely guarded military secrets. Military plan-
five years later, most historians know the ners were not about to compromise what they
event at the Hooge occurred but have no idea thought was a significant military break-
exactly when and under what conditions. The through with loose talk.
ea
fact that flamethrowers are an offensive As a result, the Americans developed the
weapon, valuable only in a set-piece urban model M1-A1 flamethrower. Some of these
war, seems to have been overlooked by mili- models are still seen in Third World arsenals
tary commentators. Virtually no additional around the world. The M1-A1 had two sepa-
mention of flamethrowers can be found until rate fuel cells containing about four gallons of
well into World War II. Russian soldiers used napalm when fully charged. Use of two small-
them in Finland without averting the disaster er fuel tanks rather than one big one gave the
that Finland was to become. Against the user a lower, lighter, more balanced profile. To -
U.S.S.R. in Europe, the Germans designed these two tanks, developers mounted a third
more effective flamethrowers for urban use. smaller tank containing massively compressed
They also used them to flush French, British, air to provide propulsion. In theory, the com-
Czech, and Belgian troops out of their bunkers. pressed air propellant lasted as long as the
a
sn, defenders installed vast networks of contents of the fuel tanks without diminished

69
elle
ae
lal
Maa
lll
aes
Reaa
i
Ra
Se
ed
le
Anesedecr
mS
performance. (At one time, it was thought that
napalm had to be propelled with inert nitro-
gen gas, which further limited the use of
flamethrowers. Most modern models are
designed to use regular compressed air.)
Special electrically fired blank flash car-
tridges ignited the napalm. At best, the M1-A1l
flame-thrower could produce seven one-sec-
ond blasts. On Munda airfield in the South
Pacific, U.S. Marines destroyed sixty-seven
Japanese bunkers using flamethrowers. Most LCTIMI
of these bunkers had already withstood pro- flamethrower
tracted shelling, including direct hits from (razil),
fighter bombers. By rolling in smoke grenades
and deploying smoke pots upwind of the
bunker, marine “hot foot” units, as they were
called, could get close enough to splash
napalm through the cracks in the bunkers,
Killing or routing the occupants.

Meanwhile, on the European front, the

British developed a forty-one-ton, armored,
self-propelled flamethrower they dubbed the .
“crocodile.” Reportedly, the crocodile had an
accurate range of 450 feet. The Allies deployed
a few in Europe against fixed positions, and
Lee: U.S. forces made limited use of them in the
Sh A PART South Pacific. ..
Somewhat improved U.S. flamethrowers
saw action again in Korea and Vietnam. Asa:
- MOD T-148/A portable tool for burning villages and flushing out tun-
flamethrower (Italy). nels, they filled a valuable niche for U.S. ser-
vicemen. However, by the end of the
Oy rtp Vietnam War, the handwriting
Reena!
SSS inc was on the wall. Small, easi-
ly portable white phospho-
rous and magnesium gren-
ades were proving to be ~
Superior to the. inconve- {
 4

Building and Keeping Your Arsenal Secure

, _——

nience of the flamethrower’s clumsy tanks, In a purely military situation, the flame-
racks, and hose. thrower operator may not wish to risk having |
Today, the U.S. military’s inventory of his position revealed by the pilot light flame. .
flamethrowers is decreasing. Flamethrowers Soldiers are also not usually in the position of
are an ideal urban weapon, but few military wanting to coat their opponents with napalm
planners envision a war fought in cities and before giving them the option of retreating,
towns. Contingency plans call for bypassing frying, or surrendering. In a paramilitary con-
cities or blowing them off the face of the Earth. text, however, a propane pilot light can be
At the battalion level, the armorer may have simpler and does offer the flexibility of ignit-
one or two among his stores, but the military ing the napalm later. ;
relies primarily on modern explosives. Only Most experts agree that either the Italians
rarely do soldiers receive training on the use of or the Brazilians, depending on one’s point of
flamethrowers. ; view, currently manufacture the world’s most
Obsolete U.S. military models that one may advanced flamethrower. Both are capable of
encounter around the world include the M2- seventy-meter (215 feet) ranges. The LC-T1-M1
Al-7 or the ABC-M9-7. Both are basically Brazilian model has three tanks and weighs
three-tank, four-gallon models, lit by electri- thirty-five kilos fully charged. Its outstanding
cally fired ignition cartridges. Both weigh feature is an electronic ignition system pow-
about twenty-one kilos, or forty-six pounds. ered by eight standard 1.5-volt dry cells.
U.S. training manuals often showed users Reportedly, a fresh set of batteries will light
deploying their dragons from behind an obsta- one thousand shots before going dead. On the
cle, while the tanks were set to the side. average, users expect five to seven seconds of
if (Undoubtedly, this is the position preferred by actual operation before the fuel is expended.
i urvivors.) The M9-E1-7 is the only model con- The model T-148/A Italian flamethrower
4 @:::::: to be current in the U.S. armed forces also has an electronic ignition, and its manu-
today. Basically, this model is much like its facturer claims it will function satisfactorily
predecessors. Filled, it weighs about forty-six under water! This may be of value on rainy or
pounds; maximum range with properly thick- snowy days. The Italian model’s advanced
_ened fuel is forty-five to fifty meters. All mod- tank design gives it the same basic fuel load as
els have three tanks, cartridge ignition, anda most other models, but with a total weight
pack rack for soldiers. Useful life of the fuel in (filled) of only twenty-five and one-half kilo-
combat is from five to seven seconds. grams—as opposed to most other models
Soviet flamethrowers employ a somewhat weighing in at around thirty-five kilos.
different mode of operation. The LPO-50 is the Problems inherent in the military applica-
flamethrower currently in use among Warsaw tion of flamethrowers—availability of proper
Pact armies. The LPO-5O consists of a three- chemicals, a ready source of fuel, and difficult-
tank unit with manifold. Each tank contains an to-maintain compressing equipment—are
electrically fired pressurizing cartridge that, either alleviated by civilian models or not as
when fired, provides the propellant necessary serious to survivors who have better access to
to project the napalm from the gun. Individual chemicals and fuel and aren't as mobile as an
tanks contain about one gallon of fuel, enough army on the move. Civilian paramilitary
for a single two- to three-second burst. Effective models use smaller engines and pumps
operating distance is said to be about forty instead of high-pressure tanks and are gener-
meters. A second and third burst are accom- ally simpler and more effective than the
plished by moving a selection lever on the gun. rugged, more reliable three-tank military
The Soviet flamethrower weighs about forty-six models. Lighter civilian models can use thicker
pounds. Three electrically fired ignition car- napalm, which allows greater throwing dis-
eo provide traditional lighting. tance. Most important, the civilian unit can be

71
 Ragnar’s Big Book of Homemade Weapons
deployed and field-servéd without large For the foreseeable future, flamethrowers -
- amounts of sophisticated support equipment. will be with at least some elements of the
Those who are not satisfied with the pilot-light world’s armies, And, as was true in the case
ignition standard on civilian models and who of the U.S. Marines at Munda, flamethrow-
are electronically adept may wish to design' €rs may provide exactly the same deterrent
and construct a sparking system for their for civilians wanting to protect their urban
homebuilt dragons, ~ ate safe havens, ;
,
 CHAPTER 15

CONSTRUCTION OF AFLAMETHROWER

Builders of flamethrowers should keep sev- to the package but gives the machine
eral basic guidelines in mind throughout the greater utility over many military models,
process of construction and use. Chief among making it more valuable to survivors.
these is the fact that flamethrowers—especial-
. An engine, pressure tank, or other device
ly the smaller, portable, expedient models—
can be very dangerous. Larger commercial used to power the pump. Military models
models (as recommended and described in this use heavy, cumbersome pressure tanks. Ex-
chapter) include a number of design features pedient or commercial models work best
hat make them relatively safe to own and with a small two-cycle engine. Minia-
perate. Amateur assemblers should keep turization of these power plants in recent
these safety features in mind as they alter or years has made it possible to develop even
modify their own weapons to accommodate smaller flamethrowers.
surplus or scrounged components. . Spray nozzle or gun that disperses the napalm,
Gls who are assigned to flamethrower duty allowing the user to propel the napalm out
do not consider it particularly desirable or even onto the target. For safety and accuracy, the
rational. Handling one is intrinsically dirty, dis- gun must include a forward hand grip.
agreeable, and dangerous. They consider
flamethrowers to be weapons of last resort, use- . Lighting mechanism used to flame the :
ful when nothing else is at hand to do the job. napalm after it leaves the hand-held gun.
Makers who want a flamethrower for com- . High-pressure hoses necessary to transport
mercial applications—including starting fires, the thickened hydrocarbons from tank to
disinfecting buildings, destroying trash and pump to gun.
refuse, or just cleaning up—should in all cases
choose the more durable, conservative model. . Pressure valve to allow the pump to recircu-
Those who want an inexpensive version prin- late the napalm back into the storage tank
cipally to use in an emergency to defend their when the pump pressure is not relieved by
retreat could opt for a simpler design. pulling the gun trigger. Some builders may
Flamethrowers, when viewed as a collection want to include a pressure gauge so that they
of their parts, are extremely simple. They con- can know precisely what the system is doing.
sist of the following components:
- Napalm fuel storage tank. To a major
extent, this component is the limiting fac-
. Pump needed to propel the thickened tor of any flamethrower design. Ideally, the
petroleum. This pump adds cost and weight tank should be as large as possible to pro-

73
 Ragnar’s Big Book of Homemade Weapons | 4
vide as many shots as possible. However, to be electric start. Yeton many commercial
weight and maneuverability considerations applications, users often enjoy the simplicity
preclude anything much greater than 10 or of punching a button to start the power plant.
12 gallons on a backpack design or 135 gal- Scroungers can use a four-cycle engine from
lons when mounted on a small truck orall- ; an unused riding mower, generator, farm
terrain vehicle. Using longer delivery hoses, implement, paint sprayer, compressor pump,
the truck-mounted design—which at first or other available power plant.
seems cumbersome and basically immo- Those wanting a smaller portable unit may
bile—can be of great tactical value. elect to use a 3.5 horsepower, two-cycle engine,
8. Clutch or engine/pump coupling. This con- such as a Tecumseh model 800110, available
nection can be very complex. In some cas- new from Graingers Supply. These are pull-
es, the engine will run slowly enough under Start, direct-drive engines that are eminently
load to allow a direct link. However, for suitable for smaller flamethrowers.
safety reasons, the user may demand an Since these new engines purchased from
electric clutch that engages only when the farm and ranch supply houses and/or whole-
gun trigger is pulled. In still other cases, the sale hardware dealers can be quite
builder will find that he must purchase an ; expensive,”
expensive speed-
reduction unit, ~
Using the above ©
component list, :
the builder should : “3 BILOT Liglir
start with the mor- 2 ;
tar and pump.
Large commercial
units employ a
standard eleven- .
horsepower Briggs
& Stratton electric-
start gas engine.
Models 221400,
252400, or 254400 :
are all acceptable. “Se , PRESSURE
Tecumseh model 1 RELEIF VALVE
912219B at°12 -
horsepower is also
an excellent choice
for heavier, truck-
mounted commer-
cial units. RETURN
These larger HOSE TO
engines don’t have

Component parts of COUPLING (ASSUMING PUMP INTAKE HOSE : ALUMINUM RACK

DIRECT DRIVE) ; - AND FITTING
flamethrower. . - : ;

74
 point, delivery perfor-
mance is not increased.
My own supersafe model
uses a Continental Belton
Co. model B0201 pump with
brass gears. This pump,
available from many auto-
motive supply houses, is vir-
tually product specific for
napalm. The survivor can
also choose from a host of
other suitable pumps.
Graingers lists a number of
cast-iron or aluminum
rotary gear pumps that will
handle viscous No. 2
through No. 6 fuel oil. Most
farm supply houses also
have lighter aluminum-
_ bodied gear pumps designed
to handle chemicals and
Portable flamethrowers may use smaller, lighter engines directly coupled to the pump. petroleum products. Spec-
ialty engineering supply
survivors may elect to use a small surplus houses, such as McMaster-Carr, stock extreme-
chain-saw or go-cart engine. Although many ly light plastic epoxy or bronze body pumps
pump manufacturers claim that a unit as with impellers that are specifically designed to
small as one-half horsepower will run their move petroleum products. Some of these
pumps at or near full capacity, survivors must pumps are designed to operate using engines
still exercise caution so that the marriage as small as one horsepower or less.
between engine and pump is a good one. Anyone with sufficient funds can buya
Scrounged power plants must possess suffi- suitable new pump. Those whose resources
cient remaining life to operate the intended limit their acquisitions to scrounging may
pump moving heavy, viscous napalm. spend a bit more time looking for a pump that
Chain-saw engines having a 3.1 cubic will reliably handle heavy petroleum-based
inch displacement theoretically have about material without dissolving or detonating the
3.4 horsepower. Larger, more desirable 4.9 entire apparatus. :
cubic inch displacement models will have in Connecting the pump to the engine is prob-
the neighborhood of 6 horsepower, which is ably the trickiest procedure involved in assem-
sufficient zip to adequately power most bling the various parts of a flamethrower. Tried
pumps and to get the napalm out to where it and true safer commercial models use an
can do some beneficial work. Three-and-one- Everco A8433 electrically engaged clutch.
half horsepower will work, but the spray-gun These clutches are cumbersome, heavy, and
orifice must be reduced so that sufficient expensive. If purchased, successful operation
pressure can be developed, which limits the requires that these units have a wet-cell battery
amount of material that can be delivered. As wired in as a permanent fixture, An A8433
Q general rule, the unit should be run on clutch can be scrounged from an old Ford auto-
4 pressures from 90 pounds per square inch mobile air conditioner system. They are used in’
( ja to a maximum of 125 psi. Beyond this conjunction with a microswitch wired into the

. 75°
 Ragnar’s Big Book ofHomemade Weapons

Eleven-horse-
power gas
engine (left)
powers pul-
O
ley/clutch
assembly (cen-
ter). The elec-
tric clutch is
taken froma
Ford automo-
bile air condi-
tioning sys-
tem. Pump on
far right isa
bronze gear-
type, designed
fohandle thick
petroleum
products.

Electric On smaller, more expedient models the ;

microswitch to maker may elect to run the hoses under
machine clutch
(arrow) and constant pressure. All hoses must be the
Propane bottle high-pressure type, double fastened at all’
are mounted connections. Makers should also install a
on the gun bar-
rel extension. good pressure-release valve that will allow
Pulling the excess napalm to be recycled back into the
trigger engages storage tank. This recycling process pre-
the micro-
switch, which vents the user from having to mix the
activates the napalm in a separate container and then
clutch, thus empty.it back into the flamethrower tank.
propelling the
napalm.
Most gear-type pumps require about
2,000 revolutions per minute (rpm) to per-
form satisfactorily at full pressure, with
something approaching full delivery
potential. New commercial engines run
wide open at about 3,600 rpm. This would
Suggest that a direct-drive system avoiding
heavy pulleys and belts would not be feasi- -
ble. However, in actual practice most
gun trigger so that the hoses carrying the - pumps will accommodate higher rpm, whil
volatile napalm are not under constant pres- . e
smaller engines under load seldom run ata
sure, Pulling the trigger kicks in the clutch, full
3,600 rpm. It all depends on the engine and
putting the engine under load as the pump the ~
pump. Builders will find that they must
pushes the snotty napalm down the hose. field
engineer their specific pumps and engi
nes to
Building and Keeping Your Arsenal Secure

achieve the best results. Theoretically, engines

running at 3,600 rpm that are geared or belted
back 50 percent to 1,800 rpm have twice the
Backpack torque
‘ and would be expected
. towe perform more
flamethrower and suitably. In actual practice, this is not always
component parts. true. Some surplus chain-saw engines run
faster than 3,600 rpm and absolutely must be
geared back to be effective.
Before I set up a belt and pulley system or
purchased an expensive reduc-
tion coupling, I would try a
simple collar, hooking up
pump and motor face-to-face.
This simple, cheap approach is preferable
unless the survivor’s needs require the safer,
more conservative model, necessitating the
use of an electrically engaged clutch.
Once the pump and engine are matched,
the unit must be bolted to a small aluminum-
angle carrying rack. I use four 1-1/2-inch alu-
minum angles. Since most survivors cannot
weld aluminum angle, the pieces must be cut
to size, drilled, and then bolted together.
Aluminum angle is ideal because of its weight,
ease of handling, and nonsparking nature.
As a general rule, pumps used for flame-
' throwers will be engi-
neered with 1/2-inch
pipe intake and out-
put ports. Securely
POLYTANK thread a 2-inch black
pipe nipple into the |
output port. Onto this
PRESSURE nipple, securely thread a
RELIEF HOSE =a common black 1/2
tee. All pipe fittings .
must be in excellent
INTAKE condition. Into one
side of the tee, thread
pow TOGUN either a preset or
adjustable relief valve.
Set the relief valve at
100 pounds of pressure
or use a preset version
paesaune of that strength. Past
RELIEF VALVE experience indicates
ENGINE COUPLING PUMP ALUMINUM that 100 psi is about
RACK
maximum for a

77°
 .Ragnar’s Big Book of Homemade Weapons

able, Do not settle for any-

thing less than one-fourth-
inch. On larger models, the
three-fourths-inch hose is
expensive to buy and cum-
bersome to use, but on small-
er, expedient models where
hose lengths are limited, this
price/utility problem seems
minimal. Three-fourths-inch
hose delivers more napalm
and fits tightly over a one-
half-inch pipe nipple, mak-
ing it the hose of choice if the
builder can work it out.
Storage tanks don’t pose as
severe a problem as one might
initially think. My large com-
mercial unit uses a 135-galion
Eleven-horsepower, four-cycle engine powers the pump, which is connected through the tank made from welded alu-
electric clutch. The motor is belted to slow it from 3,600 revolutions per minute (1rpm) to minum sheet. Other units use
1,800 rpm. The battery (shown in upper left) partially supplies the power to activate the 55-gallon surplus poly barrels
clutch and start the engine.
with movable hoses. For one
small portable unit, we
flamethrower. At 125 psi we start to lose dis- scrounged a 12-gallon poly tank from an
tance and efficiency, while below 90 psi perfor- orchard sprayer. Since the tanks aren’t pressur-
mance drops dramatically. As the engine builds ized, they must meet only one specific criterion:
pressure in the system, the valve will open, they must be nonsparking.
allowing the napalm to cycle through the tank. Poly and fiberglass tanks are especially
Commercial models are constructed with per- easy to work with since most come with secure
manent ball valves built into the system that, caps and can be easily fitted with suction (on
when opened or closed, allow the material to be the bottom) and discharge (in the top side) fit-
cycled to the tank, the gun, or in some cases an tings using epoxy and/or fiberglass kits. Even
external tank, such as those used on helicopters. common tap-and-die fittings can be placed on
Throughout the system you should use high- a poly tank as long as the tank will not be sub-
pressure spray hose designed for agricultural jected to destructive pressures.
use, including petroleum products. Design From the second T-outlet on the pump, run
working pressure should be 600 psi or more. an appropriate length of pressure hose to the
This hose is commonly available at full-service gun. The outlet tee on the pump now has one
farm or automotive supply houses: Suppliers hose running to the back of the tank through
will press on appropriate fittings to the specifi- the relief valve and another to the gun.
cation of the builder. It is possible to obtain Commercial semistationary models are gener-
three-eighths-inch inside diameter hose for use ally built with fifty-foot gun hoses so that the
over one-fourth-inch pipe fitting or three- user can walk around. On backpack models,
fourths-inch pipe over one-half-inch nipples, four feet of discharge hose may be adequate,
but these require double hose clamps and are but a longer hose of up to twenty-five feet is
not as secure as pressed factory fittings. . more practical so that the user can set the unit
Use the largest inside diameter hose avail- down, pull the starting cord to ignite the engine,
 ou
ea
ca

This
flamethrower
has a 135-gal-
lon aluminum
tank with gun
and hose
attached for
transport. The
motor and
pump are
located to the
right, under
the sheet alu-
minum shield.

gun is the last task facing the

determined paramilitarist.
Once this is: done, the user
can be reasonably confident
that he can defend his retreat .
against heavy-duty hard-
ware,
Most full-service farm sup-
ply stores will carry a number
of high-pressure spray guns.
Ask for a model that will han-
die highly viscous petroleum
products. The gun should
accept an eighteen- to twenty-
four-inch barrel extension.
The nozzle should be capable
of handling at least two and
one-half gallons per minute
at 500 psi. These pressure and
Flamethrower gun is attached to a truck-mounted commercial motor, pump, and tank volume requirements may
by a twenty-five-foot high-pressure hose. seem excessive, but they do
allow for some margin of
and then crawl around relatively unencum- error when handling fairly dangerous materi-
bered with the flamethrower gun. When con- als.
necting suction hoses from the bottom of the If possible, use a gun with a drop-forged
tank to the pump intake, inspect carefully to brass body with positive nondrip trigger
: make certain that all connections are secure. action. The gun must accept a twenty-four-
@ Finding and assembling a high-pressure inch barrel extension. Using a flamethrower

79
 nein UR cea eae! 2 OOF RR KAN Et RTE Be wee ee
Te A Bs

Ragnar’s Big Book of Homemade Weapons

Every high-pressure gun ‘e

maker seems to have his own
set of nozzles and nozzle
codes. At times, I have had to
call the distributor or factory
to get appropriate numbers,
which causes long and exas-
perating delays.
Commercial models that
have a battery as an integral
part of the assembly are
drilled and tapped so thata
microswitch can be placed in
the trigger mechanism of the
gun (suitable switches are
available from Radio Shack
or other electronics stores).
Pulling the trigger also
engages the electric clutch
between the pump and
engine. Electric lines from
the battery to the clutch must
; ; be run up the hose, adding
The spray gun on this model features an electrically activated microswitch to engage marginally to the total C
the engine pump. weight. Pressing the switch
results in a momentary
without an extra-long barrel
to keep the discharge away
from the user is foolish and
dangerous. The barrel exten-
sion also provides a place to
mount a forward hand grip
for the user to hold onto, as
well as a mounting plane for
the pilot-light assembly. The
forward hand grip should be
mounted at a comfortable
place on the barrel using U-
bolts of hose clamps.
Setting up one’s hoses to
adequately and safely attach
to the gun, as well as fitting
the unit with appropriate
nozzles, can become an .
expensive, time-consuming
exercise. To find the correct
nozzles for a specificgun, the ~ ;
only method seems to be tri- Acompleted flamethrower gun is mounted on the rack of the fuel tank. Note the angle C) ;
al and error. of the pilot-light tube at the end of the gun barrel extension. F

80
 Building and Keeping Your Arsenal Secure

4 @: as the system builds enough pressure to show signs of leaking, do not economize on
\ xpel napalm over its design distance. parts. Remove the defective parts and start
Before installing the pilot light, be absolute- anew. As an added precaution, I would recom-
ly sure the machine will operate reliably with- mend setting backpack flamethrowers on the
out leaks or spills. Extra care taken in the ground before deploying, unless an emergency
assembling and mounting of the pilot light dictates otherwise. ;
will eliminate or minimize problems that Prices may vary a bit from place to place,
might otherwise arise. One trick to remember but when assembling a dragon, the following
in mounting the pilot light is to position the budget should be close, although perhaps a bit
flame at least four inches away from the dis- on the high side:
charge port on the gun. This almost always
12-HP electric-start gas engine $400
entails using a piece of copper pipe to extend
High-pressure bronze gear pump 100
the flame to its correct position. Use a common
Gun fitted with electric pressure switch 100
propane cylinder fitted with an extra-long
Electric clutch assembly 150
nozzle assembly. Hose-clamp the proper cylin-
Industrial grade hose (50 feet) 65
der in a balanced, easy-to-use position back
Surplus poly tank (55 gallon) 25
on the gun-extension pipe. Keep the tank at
Aluminum frame material 15
least twelve inches to the rear of the discharge
nozzle. Run the piece of copper extension from
Battery : 50
Fittings and wire 25
the cylinder regulator up past the end of the
gun. Aim the flame down at a twenty-degree Total $930
angle through the stream of napalm. Add another $20 if a new pack frame fora
Turn the cylinder on and adjust the flame man-portable unit is needed. Total price would
Bt that it is bright and vigorous. Users will dis- still be well under $1,000, a small price to pay
i over that it takes several four-hundred-gram for something that would easily take out an
cylinders to keep their dragons running for armored car. F
any length of time. Gas consumption can be People who enjoy puttering around with
cut by turning the flame down so that it is devices of this sort can usually pick up all of
barely visible when not actually in use. the essential components at greatly reduced
However, the wise user will plan for rapid prices. Using a surplus chain-saw engine and
depletion of his LP gas supply and have extra farm chemical pump will usually keep the
canisters available. price under $500. At one time, I even found an
After confirming that the engineand . adequate gun among some old farm supplies
pump are properly matched, the next step is that was fitted with a barrel extension, pres-
to mix the napalm and do atrial run. sure switch, and new nozzle for use ona
Successfully mixing napalm is much more portable unit. The only used components you
difficult than one might expect, especially should avoid are high-pressure hoses and
when the proper commercial chemicals are pressure-relief valves.
unavailable. (Since the quality of the fuel is Although novice builders generally overes-
the principal determinant of the flamethrow- timate the amount of money needed to make
er's effectiveness, the next chapter is on fuel- a flamethrower, they generally underestimate
mixing procedures.) the amount of time needed to scrounge and
By whatever means, make certain that you construct their first unit. Assuming one has
have thoroughly tested the pump and engine access to a well-supplied agriculture or auto-
as a napalm slimer before even thinking supply store (and a lot of cash), a good esti-.
: about turning on the burner. Check for leaks mate is about one solid week the first time
A @ spills anyplace on the device. If any fittings through, using all new parts.

81
 CHAPTER 16

ade MANUFACTURING NAPALM

OES
po
aah
Soo
mcicen?

es
72
ean

tree
=n It seems like a thousand years ago, but I . . can. The soap never did jell the gasoline, lead-. ;
can vividly recall as a kid crouching next toa ing me to the conclusion that there really was
three-gallon lard can half-filled with gasoline . no such animal as an expedient napalm for-
that I was heating on a small camp stove. I mula. As a result, 1 abandoned this project
was trying to make napalm following instruc- until much later in life when I discovered
=
tions from an old World War II Office of good, reliable commercial napalm chemicals.
Strategic Services (OSS) operations manual. Commercial users maintain that producing
The incident occurred so long ago that most a good batch of napalm is tougher than build-
etrettone of the details are blurred. For instance, I don’t ing the flamethrower. The task of getting the
remember exactly why I was trying to make napalm right would be virtually impossible
napalm. I do remember that
ag
Sana
Baaiehy I had no practical use for it;
RSE
orrersens
we didn’t own a flamethrow-
are er, and I had no idea how to
F1 construct one. One thing is
very clear to me, however.
Even though I was operating _
i
;
‘s
Elen
ts upwind of a steady breeze, I
3 remember my sixth sense
kept telling me this was real-
ly avery dangerous, dumb
thing to do. .
Every time I put the can on
the fire, the gasoline started
boiling furiously. Carefully
and meticulously, I shaved
microscopically thin slivers
- from a bar of 99-percent pure
Ivory soap into the boiling
gasoline. Eventually, most of
the gasoline boiled away,

@
Most surplus napalm chemicals have disappeared by now. Occasionally a can of M-2
leaving a brown, varnishlike or M-4 alumagel may be found in old army surplus stores or commercial forestry sup-
Sludge in the bottom of the ply stores. These two cans of M-4 incendiary oil and thickener were packed in 1969
(right) and 1964 (left).

83
 a
Ragnar’s Big Book of Homemade Weapons
a a

ere it not for the new, improved chemical for- are approximations that must be adjusted for
ulations, However, variations in tempera- local conditions.)
_ ture and humidity still preclude the procedure
from ever being cut and dried. To make mat- Fuel/gal. M-4/Ibs.
ters worse, in addition to being sensitive to 55 6.70
weather conditions, the formula is always 40 4.50.
peculiar to each individual flamethrower, as 30 3.75
well as being subject to the availability of vari- 25 3.00
ous chemicals. 20 2.30
For a number of years I used military-grade 15 1.75
petroleum gel chemicals purchased from sur- 10 1.20
plus stores, which were usually quite cheap. 5 .60
Invariably they came in battered five-gallon Generally, five to fifteen minutes of mixing
pails containing twenty pounds of cream-col- time will be required to whip up a batch of gel.
ored chemical. The pails were rugged, durable Using the above ratios, begin with a small
containers that were in and of themselves amount of fuel to try the formula. Sift the
worth the forty cents per pound I usually paid alumagel through a screen to break up any
for the chemical inside. The chemical was lumps that may have formed because of high
called alumagel, and it came in two distinct humidity or long storage. Caution: you must
varieties: M-2 for use in warm weather sift all of the recommended amount of
* (defined as temperatures above 60°F) and M-4 alumagel into the fuel on the initial pour.
for cold-weather use. I carried both M-2 and Adding extra alumagel powder later to correct
M-4 to the field for testing, and it was usually a runny formula causes uneven distribution of
a toss-up as to which formula would perform the powder in the fuel, producing napalm that
@:.:: on a given day. As a general rule, it is too thick, ropy, and lumpy to be usable.
always took considerably more.chemical of Those whose dragons will mix the napalm
either type to achieve the desired performance by running it through the system can expect a
when temperatures were at the lower end of far superior product of much smoother consis-
the range. ; e tency than that which results from stirring it in
Assuming alumagel is still sold in a surplus a tank with a paddle. Too much alumagel sift-
store near you, I recommend the following ed into the base fuel creates a final product
percentages as a starting point: that is beyond the capabilities of the dragon's
Fuel/gal. M-2/lbs, motor and pump. Should this happen, wait
ten minutes to be.sure it has completed the
55 10.00
40 jelling process and then mix in two to three
6.75 additional gallons of gasoline—assuming that
30 5.00
this is a twenty-five to fifty-five gallon starting
25 4.50
batch. If the test batch is five gallons orless,
20 3.40
15
one-half gallon of additional gasoline should
2.50
10 thin the batch sufficiently to run through the
1.70
machine, Always use gasoline to thin, never
5 81
diesel fuel, even if the mixture was originally
M-2 (warm-weather alumagel) is for use thought to be low on fuel oil.
when temperatures exceed 60°F. When the If the gel will be carried around for several
temperature falls below 6°F, flamethrower hours before using, make the mixture slightly
operators must switch from M-2 to M-4 thinner than usual. It should set up adequate-
alumagel. Use the following ratios as starting ly after a few hours, especially in rising tem-
& points for a cold weather M-4 mix. (All ratios peratures. Remember to circulate it through

84
 . After the mixture sets, it resern-
bles apple butter in color and
consistency (above). As the mix-
" ture approaches the correct state,
lumps will appear and the fuel
, will cling to a stick like heavy
syrup (below).

the system occasionally to produce amore Almost any petroleum product can be
C
stable end product. jelled. Pure gasoline will jell into a mixture
 Ragnar’s Big Book of Homemade Weapons
similar in color and consistency to apple but- cial or military surplus chemicals when
ter, and it loses some of its intense volatility. preparing napalm, especially if the situation is
Jelled gasoline burns more like lighter fuel, a serious paramilitary one. Some readers may
except it has greater endurance and body. develop a workable, expedient method of
The end product should have the same thick- jelling petroleum, but at this point, I doubt it.
ness and stickiness as Karo syrup, with a few ' Military-surplus alumagel performs ade-
floating soft lumps that look much like quately for its intended purpose, but because it
whipped margarine. is SO sensitive to temperature and moisture
The best starting fuels usually combine fluctuations, I now use a material called Sure-
gasoline and fuel oil. Gasoline provides Fire (available from Simplex Manufacturing °
volatility, while the fuel oil adds the staying Co., 13340 N.E. Whitaker Way, Portland,
power necessary to eat through body panels Oregon 97230; 503-257-3511). Sure-Fire works
and plaster walls and to set vehicle engines on well under most moisture conditions and in
fire. A heavier mixture will propel farther and temperatures ranging from 32° to 70°F.
will splash and ricochet, causing more
mayhem. My preferred formula for small
portable flamethrowers is about fifty/fifty
gas and diesel. Your experiments may
show that a mixture of 40 percent oil and
60 percent gasoline works better on a giv-
en day. Because alumagel is extremely
sensitive to atmospheric conditions, it is
difficult to predict ahead of time which
formula will work best.
Larger commercial units often perform
best by reversing the ratios to 60 percent
oil and 40 percent gasoline. Surplus JP-4
(jet fuel) is often available from aircraft
fuel-tank maintenance. It makes excel-
lent flamethrower fuel. Napalm made
from JP-4 will often remain in good condi-
tion for two to three weeks. At about two
weeks, napalm made from regular fuel oil
and gasoline usually starts separating
into a thin, watery solution or congealing
into a heavy gluelike substance. Neither
is usable. To test your formula’s shelf life,
set aside five or ten gallons for a few weeks
and see what happens.
In my opinion, expedient methods of
making napalm have not improved since
my failed childhood experiment. I.strong-
ly recommend that you use only commer-

Sure-Fire chemical additive is the best and most expen-

sive commercial napalm fuel additive available in the
United States.
 ' Adding a relatively C)
small amount of Sure-
Fire to the tank ofa
truck-mounted
flamethrower produces
napalm in about twen-
ty-five minutes,

Bi
ke
pomaeneey

i
i
q
F
1

a
K7
f i

Hi

: 4
©
xf The pump on the
se flamethrower is set to
i circulate the solution for
ie a superior mix. All of the ©
ay chemical additive must
af be dumped evenly into
ie the fuel at the begin-
ning, before jelling
begins. After the initial
mixing, the fuel and
additive must be agitat-
ed until a good, thick gel
results.

Warming or cooling the fuel does not seem to which fuel or fuel mixture is used. Sure-Fire is &
affect Sure-Fire, nor does it seem to matter slightly sensitive to excessive humidity, but

87
 Ragnar’s Big Book of Homemade Weapons
tightly sealing the bag between use greatly mixture is the preferred method of mixing,
minimizes the moisture problem. assuming one’s dragon has this internal ability.
As do all “miracle” products, Sure-Fire has Note that with all chemicals of this nature,
a downside. While alumagel costs between these figures are to be used only as starting
forty cents and one dollar per pound, Sure- points. Intelligent users will experiment to find
Fire costs a minimum of four dollars per suitable mixtures that perform well in their
pound. As an added disincentive (in case this weapons. Owners are looking for a formula
didn’t make up your mind), Sure-Fire is that will give them the longest propulsion,
almost always sold in fifty-pound bags. hottest burn, and most sustained jell.
Western Helicopters (Box 369, Newburg, Experienced fire fighters wear Nomex pants
Oregon 97132; 503-538-9469) will occasion- and shirts when working around flamethrow-
ally ship smaller quantities. Contact them ers. It may not be necessary to wear this spe-
directly to find out about selection, price, cial flame-resistant clothing, but it is impera-
quantity, and shipping instructions. Both tive that users never wear synthetic clothing—
Western Helicopters and Simplex are basical- including nylon, rayon, or polyester of any
ly farm and logger supply houses, so inquir- sort—when using a dragon. When subjected to
ing about Sure-Fire will not generate concern high heat, synthetics melt to one’s skin, sub-
or hostility, provided the inquirer maintains jecting it to ugly, painful burns that would not
the posture of having an agricultural or result from natural fabrics.
forestry use for the material. When trying the flamethrower for the first
Sure-Fire is used in far smaller quantities few times, be especially cautious that errant
than alumagel, mitigating its cost per pound breezes do not send the napalm arcing back .
somewhat. One-twentieth of a pound (ata onto you. It is always best to throw the napalm
cost of about twenty cents) will usually jell one with the wind, but this may not be possible,
gallon of regular gasoline and oil mixture in especially from a defensive position. In the
about twenty-three minutes. If the tempera- case of an upwind attack, try to operate from
ture drops below 30°F, it may take two-thirds of an uphill position. After some trial runs, it
a pound per gallon to do the job in the same may even be necessary to install a different,
time. ; ; more appropriate orifice in the gun,
' Plan to use three pounds of Sure-Fire in thir- Mixing suitable napalm, even with a supe-
ty gallons of fuel to jell the mixture in twenty rior product such as Sure-Fire, is more an art
minutes at 50°F. As with other products of this than a science. Determined survivors who
nature, Sure-Fire must be sifted gently into the elect to use flamethrowers must decide ahead
fuel to avoid caking, roping, and lumping. to invest enough money and time to do the
Using the flamethrower’s pump to circulate this job properly.

88
 : bie _ CHAPTER17

* INTRODUCTION.

The American Civil War had been over for ’ ing, led to the technological shifts that, in eco-
only two years in 1867 when an otherwise nomic terms, were of equal importance to the
obscure Swedish chemist discovered that mixing power loom, iron plow, or even the steam
capricious, powerful, and dangerously unstable engine. In an economy that increasingly -
nitroglycerin oil with inert, otherwise innocu- eschews the use of dynamite, a surprising 50
ous, diatomaceous earth produced a reasonably million pounds were used in the United States
stable material of immense benefit to mankind. as late as 1985.
The world named the stuff dynamite. At this point, a good definition is
is in order.
A highly unpredictable substance, nitro- All chemical explosives are divided into two
glycerin had been around since its discovery classes, high and low. Low explosives include ~
by Ascanio Sobrero, a ho-hum Italian chem- black blasting powder of various types, chlo-
istry professor who, in 1846, treated common rate powder, and other similar products that

t glycerin with nitric acid. To produce an‘explo- - bur rather than detonate. Low explosives are .
sive, the challenges were to make the explo- seldom used to do commercial blasting. -
sive substance pure enough so as not to self- High explosives decompose with high reac-
detonate on the shelf and to stabilize it to the tion rates having significant pressures.

| point that the explosive could be transported Conversion from solid to gaseous state is |
safely to the work site, where it could be deto- almost instantaneous. As a result, their shat-
nated on command. tering force is great. High explosives are used
Because of its vastly superior explosive whenever large amounts of force are required.
qualities vis-a-vis black powder, heroic Dynamite is the best, most common example
attempts were made to use raw nitroglycerin of a high explosive.
oil for mining and, to a limited extent, for var- Without the shocking, tearing effect that is
ious uses during the American Civil War. The at least twenty times as great as that of dyna-
substance, however, had a maddening habit mite’s weak sister (black powder), societies and
of going off prematurely without immediate, cultures cannot build roads, bore tunnels,
apparent cause other than a slight warming of extract minerals from deep in the earth, clear
the weather, and of being so sluggish at tem- harbors, build railroad beds, or even perform
peratures under 55°F that it could not be deto- such mundane tasks as laying sewer lines, dig-
nated under any circumstances. ging foundation trenches, or excavating holes
Alfred Nobel's fortuitous mixture, in addi- for outhouses.
tion to numerous tangential discoveries he Eight ounces of high-tech dynamite stores
also made in the field of explosives engineer- the potential of about 600,000 foot-pounds of

91

oel
Se
 Ragnar’s Big Book of Homemade Weapons

energy. Properly harnessed and directed, that simplistic technological jumps, the discovery of
is enough to throw a ten-pound projectile initial ignition tends to be lost in history.
eleven miles, or represents the total muzzle Alfred Nobel made millions in his lifetime
energy of two hundred 30.06 rounds fired supplying good, reliable explosives to the
simultaneously. world’s economies. He was popularly pilloried
There is a modem tendency to dismiss the as a “merchant of death,” but contemporary
productive use of dynamite as unimportant in records indicate that little use of dynamite was
our society. From some perspectives, this made in a military context.
assumption is understandable. Perhaps in response to the adverse PR,
Substitutes such as ammonium nitrate and Nobel funded the now widely recognized
others have taken over much of the market for Nobel Peace Prize. Few realize the source and
commercial, dynamite-type explosives. In background of the prize that rewards out-
another regard, the older high explosives have standing work in the fields of physics, chem-
been dwarfed into obscurity by their super- istry, medicine, literature, and fraternity
powerful nuclear relatives. The Hiroshima between nations. Ironically, Nobel predicted
bomb, for instance, contained in a cylinder ten that high explosives would eventually make
feet long by little more than two feet in diame- wars so costly that they would cease to occur.
ter, the explosive equivalent of a single stick of Technological advances in the field of high
dynamite twelve yards in diameter and one explosives in the late 1800s had a high price.
hundred yards long. Alfred’s older brother was killed April 12,
. Arelatively small five-megaton nuclear 1888, in an explosion at their dynamite facto-
weapon has the explosive equivalent of a fifty- ry at Helenborg, a few kilometers from
story building covering a city block and Stockholm, Sweden.
crammed full of dynamite. The blast was the second death-dealing
With competition like this, it is little wonder event in the Nobel family history. In
Americans forget about the role dynamite September 1864, Nobel lost his younger
plays in our economy. Yet it is still true today brother Emil when his nitroglycerin factory
that explosives use acts as a lagging indicator went up, taking four employees and the
of economic activity. When the economy is young man with it.
buoyant, mines are busy, roads are being Under pressure from the Stockholm city
built, and airfields leveled. Explosives con- fathers, Nobel moved his factory onto a raft
sumption is up. When the economy is in the that he floated on a nearby lake.
doldrums, the line on the graph plotting con- The explosion was the first of many world-
sumption of powder angles sharply down. wide. Nitroglycerin factories are known to
By 1875, Alfred Nobel perfected the princi- have blown up in Panama, New York, San
ple of initial ignition, wherein he used a small, Francisco, and Sydney. This did not seem to
protected charge of easily degraded black pow- deter a rapidly industrializing world that saw
der to detonate a more stable main charge these explosives as a good answer to reaching
comprised of high explosives. We use the con- low-grade ore deposits deep underground and
cept every time we set up a cap and fuze to for ripping rock with which to surface carriage
produce a detonating stick. The concept is rev- and railroad rights-of-way. |
olutionary in its significance but was com- Managers of existing nitroglycerin factories
pletely unknown before Nobel's time. He actu- that did not detonate prematurely quickly saw
ally pioneered the concept ofinitial ignition the value of the new Nobel process. By mixing
before he developed dynamite! nitroglycerin oil with commonly available
Early explosives engineers even thought in diatomaceous earth, they found it absorbed
terms of rigging up a mechanical hammer with three times its own weight of the hostile liquid.
which to detonate a primary charge. Like many Only the most determined blow, or a most

92
Building and Keeping Your Arsenal Secure

intense heat, could detonate the new form of keting the product was not a particularly
high explosive, difficult chore.
‘Factory owners quickly added dynamite- By the 1950s and ’60s, annual consump-
processing lines on to their nitroglycerin facto- tion of dynamite in the United States alone
ries. By 1873, there were at least thirteen was hovering around the 1-billion-pound
major producers throughout the world, rang- mark. The price had fallen to ten cents per
ing from Japan to Finland. pound or, if one bought in fifty-pound case
Problems with the end product persisted, lots, the price was four dollars total.
however. Watery sets tended to kill the early The Romans knew how to build roads and,
nitro dynamite by driving the oil out of the to an extent, how to surface them with an
diatomaceous earth. Also, the product froze asphaltlike material. It took Nobel and his
solid at 55°F and was extremely difficult to invention, however, to produce cement (dyna-
detonate. mite was necessary to blast huge stones out of
The water problem was solved by judicious the Earth in small enough pieces to crush to
use of additives and by better use of cartridge make the cement). At the time, the United
wrappers. Modern dynamite is wrapped witha States was starting in on the largest road-
double layer of heavy bag paper impregnated building program ever to be undertaken in
with materials that keep water out and which ‘ human history.
assist with the overall detonation. During the ’50s and 60s, this country was
Ammonium nitrate, among others, was evolving out of being a rural society. It was
blended into the formula to give the car- during this time that America learned to be
tridges an almost worcrPEogs quality thatis afraid of explosives. That fear has been
still in use today. translated into vendor regulations and
The problem of nitroglycerin’s high freezing restrictions that have raised the price of pow-
point was never really overcome. The solution der dramatically.
that eventually emerged involved mixing | Modern explosives cost about one dollar per
ethylene glycol dinitrate, an antifreeze com- pound or fifty cents per stick. Unfortunately,
pound that is molecularly similar to pure there is no longer a single-stick price. Fifty-
nitroglycerin oil,-with pure nitro. The result pound cases run a minimum of fifty dollars!
was a mixture that was much more usable at To some extent, dynamite is priced on the
low temperatures. ; basis of grade and strength. The strength of
There is no dynamite todap that is pure straight nitro dynamite (of which there is vir-
‘ nitroglycerin. Other compounds, such as calci- tually none remaining today) is evaluated by
um carbonate and nitrocellulose, were added its explosive oil content. For example, if the
to increase dynamite’s stability as well as low- dynamite contains 40 percent explosive oil by
er its freezing point. weight, it is said to be “40-percent dynamite.”
Dynamite became so safe and so well Mixtures are graded by tests that establish
accepted that virtually every rural hardware their strength as comparedto an imaginary
shop had at least a few sticks, a box of caps, benchmark of straight dynamite.
and some fuze in its inventory. Farm-supply | Grades range from the relatively tame 20-
stores sold it by the piece to those who were too percent stuff all the way up to 85-percent
poverty-stricken to buy more than that for dynamite, known as Hy-Drive. Hy-Drive is
which they had an immediate need. used to detonate blasting agents such as
The first year Nobel sold dynamite, he ammonium nitrate.
peddled about twenty--two thousand pounds Lower-strength powder in the 40-percent
of the stuff. The price was $1.75 per pound. range is used to push and throw, as in remov-
On a relative productivity scale, it was ing stumps and rocks from the Earth. The
much cheaper than black powder, so mar- plan with this material is to keep the object
 Ragnar’s Big Book of Homemade Weapons
being shot intact so it can be hauled away It does not take a huge amount of experi-
after it is torn loose from its mooring. ence to learn what strength is proper for a giv-
Finishing the work with as small a crater as en application.
possible is another advantage of lower- In the final analysis, doing the work was
strength powder. what Alfred Nobel had in mind when he first
Higher-strength 60-percent and 70-percent perfected his blasting systems. With them, a
grades are used to shatter rock into pocket- single individual can dig a disposal pit or dry
sized pieces and to reorganize ice jams. well in otherwise impenetrable ground, set
Some very high grades of dynamite are posts, remove large boulders, redirect creeks,
used to blast channels in wet marshes because cut drainage ditches, unclog duck ponds, or
these grades will propagate, meaning that, set blow up bad guys, as well as perform a host of
in a row, one charge will set off another on otherwise impossible chores of immense bene-
down the line by hydraulic shock. fit to mankind.

94
 CHAPTER 18

~——-RASICPROCEDURES
Detonating dynamite is relatively simple. end, which gives the reader some idea of the
Getting it to go off at the time and place one de- ‘size of the stumps. All the logs were cut into
sires is a matter of straightforward training com- one-inch boards. Any limbs bigger than
bined with a modest amount of self-discipline. three inches were stacked up by the stove.
Capping a dynamite cartridge is the first, Other than the stumps, we were ready to
most basic skill that the would-be blaster farm the ground.
must master. Usually a blaster would use a hand auger to
Before proceeding, users who have never -dig down under the stumps, fire a springing
examined dynamite before should open the end charge, and then blast the stumps out with a
of a cartridge for a firsthand look. They will find heavy main charge. Because the stumps were
that the tan to tan-grey mixture looks like old so large and green, it was a tough project. The
chewing gum. The white prills (spherical pel- sandy, dry soil and the incredibly hot, muggy
lets), if included in the mixture, should be round weather added immeasurably to our grief. It
and firm. Mushy, distorted prills are a sign of took immense willpower just to go out to the
old, going-out-of-condition powder. Don’t buy humidity-sodden work site, where the last
this kind if you can help it. If you have it already, fresh breeze had blown months ago.
use it up. If the cartridges are weeping or leak- Lightening the work load became a priority
ing, carefully dispose of them by burning. item. The plan we worked out did the job very
Cartridges come in a great variety of sizes nicely. By connecting a rotating six-foot length of
and shapes. Nine hundred and ninety-nine cold, rolled-round steel stock to the drawbar of
times out of a thousand they will be half- our D-8 Cat, we fashioned a punch that took the
pound sticks that are about one-and-a-quarter place of the auger. One drum of the machine’s
inches in diameter by eight inches long. I have winch raised and lowered the bar, producing a
URES
eee.
occasionally used some twelve-inch-long sticks very workable, power-punching dynamite tool.
and some three-pound canisters, but only a By lowering the pitch of the punch to a 45°
handful of times in forty years of blasting. The angle, we were able to back up the Cat onto
three-pound canisters were special orders that the bar and drive it down under the stump.
I lined up for dealing with an especially dreary The hole it produced was just right for the
stump-removal project. three-pound canisters. We routinely pushed
Approximately thirty-five fresh oak four or five of the cylinders of 40-percent pow-
dices
AE
Uy stumps dotted the middle of a fifty-acre field. der down the hole with our rake handle and
We had cut out the logs the previous winter. let em rip.
EY
7
Some of the logs were forty inches on the butt When we had eight or ten sets batched up,

95
bann
Seba
Gp
©
 Ragnar’s Big Book of Homemade Weapons

we lit them all en masse. The little dozer opera- Delay-action electrical caps are manufac-
tor, who had just returned from a government- tured by putting a delay element with a closely
sponsored hunting trip in Korea, jumped two controlled burn time between the ignition ele-
feet every time a charge thumped. A couple of ment and the primer charge. The primer ulti-
times the blasts were so close together that he mately deteriorates the cap. Standard delay
didn’t get to touch the ground between thumps. caps are designed to fire at intervals of from
Unlike regular cartridges, the three-pound one-half to five seconds after they are electri-
canisters were packed in what appeared to be cally “set off.”
common cardboard tubes. Dynamite car- Codes used to designate the type of cap
tridges are wrapped in tough, deep brown one is dealing with are fastened to the lead
paper. The slick paperlike material of regular wires. These range from 0 (virtually instanta-
half-pound charges is specially treated so that neous detonation) to 10 (five seconds). The
it will enter into the detonation. The paper delay caps are used in a way that the outside
ends and the seam along the cartridge are charge blows first, relieving the outside wall
sealed with wax. Dynamite cartridges are so that the inner charges will then in
compact and tough. As many miners can sequence crack the material being blasted
attest, they will withstand a fair amount of free in the correct direction.
rough handling bordering on abuse. As a general rule, the hobby blaster will use
Powder users will commonly encounter two _ only the instantaneous varieties of electric
types of detonating caps. Electrical caps are blasting caps. The only exception might occur
easily distinguished by their two red-and- if one buys supplies from a quarry operator or
white or green-and-yellow wire leads, The cap other secondary source.
itself will be a natural aluminum color. It will Caps used with fuze were, in times past,
have a watertight rubber plug securing the most common because they were generally
wire leads to the cap body. ; less expensive and less cumbersome to use
The 2 1/4-inch x 3/8-inch caps are marked than their electrical counterparts. Lately I
“Dangerous Blasting Cap Explosive” on the have had trouble buying fuze and caps in any-
body. Several different styles of electrical caps thing but very limited quantities, due—in
are available, providing fora time lapse part, vendors tell me—to a government drive
between firing and actual detonation. These to make these easier-to-use explosives more
are used in mining and quarrying to allow difficult to obtain.
multicharge sets to be set off in proper Fuze caps are thin, hollow aluminum cylin-
sequence. Standard industry codes for these ders one and one-half inches long and about
caps are as follows: one-quarter inch in diameter. Fuze caps are
much smaller than electrical caps, even
Delay Period Time in Seconds excluding the wire leads.
(code) to Actual Detonation Unlike regular dynamite (which burns
0 0.008 without incident for a minute or two when
1 0.5 torched), the mixture that fills the cap up to
2 1.0 about two-fifths of its capacity is fire-sensitive.
3 15 When the fuze burns to it, an explosion about
4 2.0 the intensity of a healthy firecracker results.
5 2.5 Fuze comes in white, red, and black colors
6 3.0 depending on the whim of the maker. The fee]
8 4.0 is stiff and slick. Coils can be from four to nine
9 4.5 inches in diameter, with lengths from fifty to
10 5.0 one hundred feet. The fuze core burns with a
hissing, spitting, smoking flame. Surrounding

96
Building and Keeping Your Arsenal Secure ~
TT

the core is a sticky, tarlike layer that is, in turn, down through a dynamite cartridge, starting
covered with a wrapping of light thread that is about one-third of the way down the stick.
lightly painted. . Be cautious not to run the hole through
It doesn’t happen easily, but the fuze should both sides of the cartridge. Some blasters run
be protected from kinking. Old timers sometimes the hole in from the end, but I have always
knot the fuze around the dynamite to hold the run the hole in the side. There is no reason for
cap in place. This procedure is a definite no-no if preferring the side-pick system other than this
one wants to avoid adrenalin-inducing rushes is how I was originally taught. .
while cleaning up messy misfires. . Insert the cap on the fuze snugly into the
. .The correct procedure when attaching a hole in the punched cartridge. I use a precut
cap to the fuze is to always trim about one- eight-inch length of baler twine to tie the
half inch from the end of the coil of fuze. Do capped fuze securely in place. Place the knot
this to expose a clean, fresh, right-angle cut over the pick hole to protect it a bit.
to the cap. This package constitutes the cap charge.
’ The cut can be done with a knife but is best It is much easier to light fuze if it is sliced
accomplished with a nonsparking combina-" back about an inch, exposing the inner pow-
tion cutting tool made specifically for this pur- der train. Otherwise, the tar coating may bum
pose. Dynamite combination tools are made with a weak, yellow flame for a minute or two
by Diamond Tool and others, and are avail- before the fuze itself sputters to life, giving the
neophyte apoplexy in the process. :
able for about eight dollars from dynamite dis-
tributors—usually without filling out forms. Electrical caps are inserted into cartridges
One handle of the tool is a punch and the much the same way fuzed caps are installed.
other is a screwdriver, which is useful when In the case of electrical caps, the leads can be
connecting drop wires to a power box. The tool knotted around the cartridge to hold the cap
is principally useful when crimping the cap to in place without compromising safety.
‘the fuze and for cutting fuze. - oe Electrical caps are most practical when
Crimping can be done with common gas- multiple charges are shot. It is possible to
pipe pliers but—like many, many things in shoot a number of charges simultaneously
life—is best done with the correct instrument. using match cap and fuze with detonating
_ Knife cutting distorts the fuze a bit, espe- cord, but if the charges are very far apart, the
cially on a hot day when the tarlike fuze is cost becomes prohibitive.
more pliable. Ea The first time I used det-cord was to take out
Insert the fresh-c ut fuze end firmly into the a number of six- to ten-inch hawthorne trees.
cap. I perform this part of the sequence well A covering of long, very sharp thorns virtually
away from the box of cartridges, although I precluded cutting them with a saw.
have never had a cap go off prematurely. I tightly wrapped three winds of det-cord
Crimp the thin aluminum skirt of the cap around the trunks two feet above ground level,
securely onto the fuze. Considering that the slipped a fuze cap between the trunk of the
fuze will burn at the rate of one foot per tree and the det cord, and shot them individu-
minute, that no fuze should ever be less than a ally. In spite of a seemingly minimal amount
foot in length, and that the extra time the of exposure, I pinched up my hands and arms
extra fuze provides is always worth the price, doing even this much work around those
cut a proper length off the roll of fuze. damn trees.
". Always be very cautious about the springy Detonating cord looks like heavy, poly-
fuze snapping the cap around into a rock or plastic clothesline. It is fairly flexible, coming
other hard object and detonating it. in ten-inch, one-thousand-foot reels. The
’~ Using a one-quarter-inch wooden stick as the explosive component of det-cord is extremely
pick, or the dynamite tool, push a diagonal hole fast and powerful. It will take an eight-inch
RIE ote

Ragnar’s Big Book of Homemade Weapons

green tree and splinter the trunk through to is invaluable when doing serious work with
the core. commercial explosives. The flights must be
- Thad all the trees lying over in an hour. wide enough to pull out small stones, the cut-
The principal use of det-cord, other than ting edge sharp enough to cut small roots, the
placing it in ditches and holes the enemy might handle long enough to reach under the desig-
use during an ambush, is to connect multiple nated object, and the turning handle long
match and fuze charges together. The material enough to torque the rig through common
runs forty cents per foot, precluding one from obstructions,
getting too carried away with this use. Powder monkeys shooting mostly electrical
To obtain more or less simultaneous deto- caps will also need an ohmmeter to read the
nations, you can wrap a turn of det-cord resistance in the electrical sets, a minimum of
around each cartridge in a set running from 250 feet of drop wire and up to 500 feet for
the main charge that was capped convention- heavier charges, such as that used for blasting
ally to the side charges. duck ponds or drainage ditches.
Match- and fuze-capped charges are fairly After learning to make blasts with cap and
reliable in about ten feet of water. When going fuze that allow the user to retreat as far as his
deeper or using electrical caps, I place the legs and discretion take him, the user will also
capped charge in a thin plastic bag. The water learn how to make sets that merely whoomp
pressure will collapse the bag, which helps seal and do not throw rock and debris all over the
out harmful moisture. state. Having learned to contain the blast by
Besides the combination tool and a pocket using the correct type and amount of powder,
knife, the blaster will needa long-handled the blaster can feel more confident regarding -
shovel. The wooden handle is good for poking the use of the shorter 250-foot drop wires.
the cartridges down the bore hole, especially Drop lines should be heavily insulated 14- .
the first charge (called the spring or springing gauge wire. The ohmmeter can be a simple
charge), which is used to create the main pow- instrument purchased from Radio Shack.
der chamber under the stump or rock. I have never used a blasting machine.
‘I have marked my shovel handle with Instead, I relied on a lantern battery for single
pieces of tape spaced every eight inches to charges and truck batteries for multiples under
quickly indicate how many charges can be five caps. I try to limit my electrical sets to five
placed in the hole. Some blasters use a sepa- charges. Casual dynamite users will seldom be
rate tamping stick. I don’t find this necessary. called on to make sets larger than could be
‘When I was a young man, we often saw handled by five caps.
dynamite augers being sold at farm auc- Larger sets, in my opinion, defeat the safety
tions. After a few years, they all disap- argument in favor of electrical caps—i.e.,
peared—lI suspect into the hands of antique when they are touched off, they either go or
collectors. To make do, we purchased some don't go. With match and fuze there is always
of the many one-and-one-half-inch-diame- a question until the moment of detonation.
ter wood augers that barn carpenters used. Sometimes detonation takes what seems like
By welding a five-foot-long, three-eighths- forever between lighting the fuze, the retreat,
inch steel rod to them, we hada reasonably
and the whoomp.
good dynamite drill. Now even the large-
Electrical blasting is not a mysterious pro-
diameter bore carpenter bits are tough to cess, It does, however, require a knowledge of
find. An auger with flights rather than a the most basic laws of electricity.
flat-spoon cutting edge is needed to pull the :
Electric current flowing through a conduc-
dirt out of the hole. New or used, these tools tor such as a wire is comparable to water mov-
are virtually unfindable. ing through a pipe. Voltage is the pressure of
_ By whatever means, a good bore-hole auger the water (electricity). Rate of flow through
the

98
 Building and Keeping Your Arsenal Secure
wire is measured in amperes. Ina pipe, itis, Power sources for a shot can be delivered by
gallons-per-minute. ; blasting machines, commercial power lines,
~ The diameter of a wire influences the rate of motor-driven generators, and storage and dry-
* flow of electricity much the same as the diam- ° cell batteries.
eter of a pipe influences the rate of water flow. Most blasting machines, including the old
The cross section of either (or lack thereof) rack-bar-type push boxes used in the movies, .
opposes the flow or creates resistance. are portable electric generators designed to
The three factors—voltage, current, and have high voltages. Newer blasting machines
resistance—are related in a formula known as are sometimes the condenser-discharge type.
Ohm's Law. Ohm's Law is probably the most Some machines that are more than adequate
basic piece of electrical physics. ; for ten simultaneous shots can be carried in.
‘Every schoolboy learns the formula at one one hand. They are discharged by a quick
time or another: ; twist of the wrist. : .
Because of the high cost, I have never pur-
Pressure/Resistance = Rate of Flow chased a blasting machine. When hooked up
in series or used while the engine is running,
or standard 12-volt truck batteries will usually
fire more charges than I have the energy to
Volts/Ohms = Amperes install in one set. :
For safety’s sake, every charge set in a day
’ These terms relate to the three elements of should be fired that day. Do not allow a charge
an electrical blasting circuit, including the to stand overnight or even leave the site for
electrical cap itself, the source of energy, and lunch or a break. 7
the drop wires that carry the electrical current. No blasting should be attempted with vehi-
The electrical blasting cap transforms electri- cle batteries that are not fully charged or that
cal energy into heat,.which starts an explosive show signs of any deterioration or weakness.
force strong enough to detonate the main charge. The engine should be on fast idle when the
shot is made to ensure.that enough amperage
Be
ie
Like a filament in a light bulb, the electrical
charge heats a-bridge wire embedded ina is available. :
meee
flash compound. The flash compound deto- Three types of wire are used in the blasting
nates an intermediate charge in the cap that is circuits: ;
actually the primer. This small but powerful Leg wires are the thin, insulated wires that —
charge has enough strength to detonate the run from the cap itself. They range in length
dynamite cartridge. ° . from six to fifty feet. It is important to know the
It takes an extremely short time for the elec- resistance of these caps, including the leg wires,
tricity to heat enough to flash the compound . so that accurate calculations can be made .
This time can vary, depending on the amount . regarding the adequacy of one’s power supply.
of electrical energy going to the cap. Toa
point, increasing the current lessens the irreg- Resistance of Copper Wire
ularities among caps. Electrical Blasting Caps
A minimum current of 0.3 to 0.4 amp will
fire a commercial electrical cap, but safety and Length of . Average
consistency dictate that a charge of 0.6 to 0.8 Leg Wires Resistance
.
TITS
PEMA
TE
RT amps be used. Cautious blasters usually figure (feet) (ohms)
& ona minimum of 1.5 amps of direct current : “y
h (batteries) and at least 3.0 amps of 60-cycle 6 ; 1.53
i alternating current from a wall socket ora 8 ‘t 1.66
a portable generator. : : 10 ; 1.72 f ;

ieeee
 Ragnar’s Big Book of Homemade Weapons
Length of Average pute the circuit as follows:
Leg Wires Resistance
(feet) : (ohms) 50 electric caps with 20-ft. leg wires = .
50 x 2.04 = 102.0 ohms
16 1.91
20 2.04 Resistance of 100-ft. No. 20 connecting wire =
24 2.17 1.0 ohm
30 2.00
40 2.20 Resistance of 250-ft. No. 14 drop wire =.5ohm
50 2.40
Total Resistance of Circuit = 103.5 ohms
Resistance can be extrapolated from six to
twenty feet and from twenty-four to fifty feet. At If the current were supplied by a 220-volt
twenty feet, the wire size in caps jumps from 22 AC generator, the current supplied would be:
gauge to 20 gauge. The heavier wires are need-
ed for lower resistances over longer distances, 220 volts/103.5 ohms = 2.12 amps
' Connecting wires are those insulated wires run
through the shot region that may be torn up at This is not enough power supply to power
detonation. They are usually 20 gauge, ultimate- the necessary 3.0 amps of alternating current
ly connecting to the drop wires from the caps. per cap that is considered a safe standard, To
Drop wires are those that connect the basic be entirely safe, the blaster would have to cut
set to the power source. If at all possible, these the set down to fifty charges. These readings
wires should be 14-gauge copper. . can be verified by using the ohmmeter.
@ . One must know the resistance of connecting For example, fifty caps have a resistance of
and drop wires to calculate how many caps can 51.75 ohms.
be fired from a given power source. Use the fol- :
lowing chart, along with an ohmmeter. 220 volts/51.75 ohms = 4.25 ohms
Gauge - Ohms per 1,000 ft. A partial solution—if a larger set must be
of drop wire used, or if one is working with a smaller power
source such as a vehicle battery—is to connect
4 0.248 the caps in a parallel circuit.
6 0.395 The resistance in this case is only the resis-
8 0.628 tance of each cap. Using a parallel circuit ora
10 — 0,999 parallel-series circuit, a huge number of caps
12 1.59 can be fired. Some sets containing more than
14 2.52 one thousand caps are made using a variation
16 4,02 of a parallel series.
18 6.38
20 10.15 Parallel Series Circuit Example
220 16.14
200-ft. No. 20 connecting wire = 1.0 ohm
, There are three types of circuits commonly
used: single series, series in parallel, and parallel,
4 caps in parallel series = 8.12 ohms
Many times, the nature of the shot will dictate
the type of circuit that must be used.
250-ft. No. 14 drop wire = .5 ohm
_If there were fifty electrical caps rather
@= the six shown, the blaster would com-
Total = 9.62 ohms

Pome
Building and Keeping Your Arsenal Secure .

12 volts/9.62 ohms = 1.24 amps

12/2.31 = 5.19 amps
O
Note that, with direct current from a bat-
tery only, 1.5 amps is required to set off a sin- Each series would receive 5.19/10 = .52
gie cap safely. In parallel, only the resistance amp, which is not enough to take us up to the
of a single cap between the connecting wires is 1.5-amp safe level required. The 5.19 amps
used in the computation. Very large sets are must be divided by 10 because there are ten
made by placing more caps in a series between series of four in the string.
the parallel lines, but the computation does
not change. _ Using a portable generator:
Going back again to the five-shot series
(which for me is the most common multiple 220/2.31 = 95.6/10= 9.56 amps
shot), we have: ; :
A portable power generator would proba-
100-ft. 20-gauge connecting wire = 1.0 ohm bly be adequate in most situations, but vehicle

250-ft. 14-gauge drop wire = .5 ohm

5 caps with 8-ft. leg wires = 8.3 ohms ~

12-volt truck battery/10.4 ohms total resistance
= 1.15 amps

Again, this is not enough direct current to

meet the 1.5 amps of direct current criterion.
However, with the engine running, I have
found that the setup always fires properly.
The following example, while not perfect, Single series
illustrates a relatively easy method of using circuit.
common equipment to do some blasting.

Parallel-Series Circuit Example:

Resistance of each series of 4 caps = batteries, even wired in series, would not be.
The only exception might be to power the
4.0 x 2.04 = 8.16 ohms
charge from a large bulldozer battery while
the machine is running and the battery charg-
Resistance of 10 Series in parallel = an ohmmeter,
8.12/10 = .81 ohm ing. Test all multiple shots with
and use short leg wires and heavy drop wires
Resistance of 200-ft. connecting wire = 1.00 ohm to minimize wire-resistance problems.
In the cases above, the examples are very
Resistance of 250-ft. No. 14 drop wire = .50 conservative. They probably do not reflect the °
ohm average day-to-day needs of the home and
recreational blaster. As I mentioned previous-
_ Total = 2.31 ohms ly, [have always powered my little four- and
five-cap sets with a 12-volt car battery oreven -
Assuming one used a 12-volt battery, the a 6-volt lantern battery. Remember, the rule of
computation would be as follows: thumb is 1.5 amps per cap for DC and 30
 ’ Ragnar’s Big Book of Homemade Weapons
good housekeeping with the connecting wires.
Neat, taut runs are likely to cause fewer prob-
lems. All open-wire splices should be raised up
off the ground, away from puddles or wet grass,
using dry rocks or pieces of cardboard as props.
Again, be sure to test each circuit with an
ohmmeter to be certain the power source you
intend to use is adequate. All drop and con-
necting lines should be wound (shunted)
together securely until they are connected.
Connecting should be the last step as the user
retreats from the blast site. Keep the drop wires
shunted and the power source well out of any
possible reach until the moment you are ready
for the shot.
For God’s sake, cease ail operations if an elec-
trical storm comes up. Even miners working a
mile underground do something else till an
electrical storm has passed over.
One thing to keep in mind is that not all
charges go off according to the user’s prear-
ranged plan, as evidenced by the following tale,
I was waiting in front of the low, white,
wooden, houselike structure that serves as the
consulate in Chiang Mai, Thailand. Suddenly
a wind-shock thump, strong enough to take
out exposed windows, hit me. A long, low
rumble followed, echoing up the Ping River,
which runs near the consulate. I ran out the
(Above) Parallel circuit: gate and onto the street, where I could see to
(Right) Parallel series circuit.
the north a kilometer or two. It was possible to
make out a black, swirling cloud of dust over
amps for AC. the trees and houses.
Electrical splices on blasting lines are critical. The detonation was deep and gutsy enough
Most experienced blasters prefer the twisted- to get our serious attention but distant enough
loop splice. This and an equally acceptable tele- not to cause real alarm. My first reaction was
grapher’s splice are illustrated below. Your ohm- to look for aircraft.
meter will quickly tell you if all the splices are It took what seemed like an inordinate -
sound, making good electrical contact. amount of time before some sirens began to
Be sure to keep all splices tight and practice wail in the distance. We jumped into a friend's
Land Cruiser and headed out for a look.
—_ ——$——$a—— Obviously, something was going on that we
Twisted-loop splice. should know about. :
A line of police and military vehicles, many
with flashing lights, was converging on one of
the rather nondescript yet more exclusive

ne
neighborhoods of north Chiang Mai.

eee We followed discreetly until we started to

102
 ‘

Building and Keeping Your Arsenal Secure

get walled in by hundreds of peonle walking vaged from the carnage became the repository
down the street. Without an escort or a flash- used by the police. It was filled with body
ing light, we could not proceed. laskeda pieces they collected. A cook and driver were
police officer what was going on. He just never seen again, but were never identified
shrugged. Either he didn’t know or he wasn’t among the pieces, either.
going to tell a farang (foreign devil). The theory on the streets was that some of
‘By now an hour had passed since the blast, General Li’s drug-dealing enemies had tried to
but still no one on the street knew what had assassinate him, but that their timing was
happened except that there had been an bad. A truck that allegedly had contained the
explosion. Just before dark, we finally explosives had been vaporized in the blast.
threaded our way through the little narrow | The police didn’t even try to find a bathtub full
streets to the remains of a palatial home. of parts from it.
Leaves on the palms in the garden hung in My theory is somewhat different. It seemed
tatters, shredded into threads. Several build- obvious that we were dealing with a relatively
ings nearby lacked roofs. A school half a block large quantity of commercial dynamite rather
away was windowless on the blast side. A har- than military explosives. I knew that people in
ried police officer told us no children were at the Chiang Mai region often illegally traded
the school when the blast hit. commercial explosives for raw opium with the
Dozens of uniformed men poked around in jade miners who used the explosives to get
the piles of debris. The front of the massive rocks out of the ground. I reasoned that per-
house hung in tatters. One wall of a former haps we were dealing with an accidental deto-
garage leaned sloppily amidst the mess, There nation. Assassins almost certainly would have
might have been other damage, but a twelve- used military explosives.
foot cement block wall around the property The theory is reinforced by the factthat.one
limited our ability to see everything that was of General Li’s drivers appears to have been
in the compound. wiped out in the incident, that Thais are awful-
“Looks to me like a commercial dynamite ly cavalier about explosives, and that an
blast,” I told the consular official. “The trees assassination attempt was not logical. No one
and bushes aren’t blown away enough for it to © in the region had an overt motive for doing
SET have.been a faster, much more powerful mili- the general in. If they had, it seems logical
tary-type explosive.” No one seemed to know that they would have planned the whole thing
whose house had been hit or if anyone had a bit better.
been injured. Gossip spread through the crowd My accidental discharge theory apparently .
to the effect that no one had been home at cae ‘ has gained some credibility, because many
OGRE
POT
NEA” time of the blast. Burmese jade smugglers have come forward in
After a day or two, some information fil the last year since the incident to complain
tered out about the incident. The house, we that their source of explosives has dried up.
learned, was the secret retreat of General Li, a More significantly, no one among the drug
notorious Kuomintang Chinese drug lord. lords has come forward admitting to perpe-
pear
wee General Li, who originally came from north-.- trating the incident. If it had been intentional,
ern China to Thailand at the time of Mao, was General Li would have retaliated. Open war-
so reclusive that no one was aware he lived— fare did not break out among the drug lords.
sre at least part-time—in Chiang Mai:- Knowing the Thais, they probably stored the
It was not entirely true that nobody was caps with the powder. Later, when they snuck
home when the blast occurred. A bathtub sal- off in the truck to have a smoke, disaster struck.
'

103
 CHAPTER 19

DOING THE WORK

* Novices who work with dynamite for the After the concrete was cleared out, I useda
- first time are often surprised to discover that 1 1/2-inch hammer driven mason’s hand drill
commercial explosives are very precise in to bore a hole back into the century-old hard-
nature. They expect to encounter an uncon- ened clay. The material was so consolidated
trollable, unpredictable force that promiscu- and brittle that a half stick of 60-percent shat-
ously rends the Earth. Instead, they find they tered a cone-shaped hole to dust.
are working with a tool that can be likened to I carefully worked the charges back to the
a hugely powerful precision instrument. area below the house’s rear support beam. We
* One of my earlier jobs as a powder handler shoveled the now loose material into a conveyor
involved placing charges for a neighbor who belt that moved it upstairs and deposited it in a
wanted to excavate the ground under his dump truck parked at the rear of the house. By
standing home. The guy was determined to nightfall, we had excavated an area large
have a basement under his house—despite the enough to build a frame for a foundation wall.
fact that the original builders one hundred I let the owners spend the next day com-
years ago had not seen it that way at all! We pleting that work, as well as shoveling out the
had a small four-foot by four-foot root cellar to remaining loose material I had shaken loose.
Start with.’As a plus, the stairs going down While the new cement was hardening, I
were already in place. Lack of moisture for one worked back in the other direction with my
hundred years, however, had sét up the soil explosives. By week’s end, the back wall was in
under the house like concrete—digging could place as well. Although I fired possibly twenty-
not be accomplished via traditional pick and five shots, nothing in the house above was
shovel methods because of limited space and damaged. The lady of the house said she was
the hardness of the earth. surprised that the blasting produced very little
Using mud and wet burlap bags to cap the dust and no damage. We usually warned her
charges, we shot half sticks of 60-percent before the shots, but otherwise the work failed
dynamite to break up the existing pavement to disturb her routine. !
and walls in the root cellar. The cement was Precision blasters have shot holes in solid
not particularly thick but had been placed rock within inches of high-pressure gas lines.
back when it was de rigueur to do a very good They have opened trenches so that telephone
job. The breakup would have been impossible lines could be laid right through the heart of
if it weren't for the larger rock they mixed with large cities and have spectacularly demolished
the concrete in an attempt to save on material great buildings that stood within inches of other
costs. great buildings that were not even scratched.

105
 Ragnar’s Big Book of Homemade Weapons

Although it is the wrong end of the spec- ment of the shot. If itis good, everybody in the
trum on which a novice should start, propaga- county will know.
tion sets used to cut ditches illustrate the pre- Shooting dynamite is a bit tougher than it
cise nature of dynamite nicely. first seems. Targets little more than an inch
Because a field drainage ditch is seldom if wide are tough to hit, especially if one places
ever blasted through regions where one must them out far enough so that the blast does not
be concerned about coming too close to build- constitute a danger to the shooter.
ings, gas mains, power lines, or other works of One time when such things were still permit-
man, blasting one is a good project for some- ted, I bought a 25mm French Peteau cannon
one who wants to test the precision of explo- home with me. It came right from the World
sives. The technique is not, however, one the War II Maginot line—eight hundred pounds,
novice should start with if he has any choice in rubber tires, etc. By tinkering with the firing
the matter. It is so difficult to master ditching mechanism, I was able to bring the monster
with powder that the neophyte can become back to life. We spent many an enjoyable afte-
discouraged easily. moon firing that cannon. Factory ammo costs
Ditch building by propagation is done about $32 per case of thirty-two rounds!
using regular ditching powder. Your local Eventually the thrill wore off. We went back
explosives dealer can assist you in choosing to using ditching powder for targets, set off by
the correct explosive material. This will be more conventional firearms, but the neigh-
either a 60- or 80-percent material that is more bors never knew the difference. They thought
sensitive to shock than regular powder and is we fired that antitank cannon one hell of a lot.
of itself powerful enough to throw out a large ‘The best way to proceed with ditching pow-. .
quantity of material. Other powder may push der is to run a couple of trial sets. In places
rather than shock and throw, and will certain- where the ground is consistently wet, grassy,
ly not be sensitive enough to propagate. The and marshy, the charges can be placed up to
concept is to use one'cap charge to set off up to” two feet apart. Should one be working with
hundreds of shock-sensitive cartridges, all ° ground that is only very damp and not wet,
placed in a predetermined grid. the spacing may only be four to eight inches.
Unlike 40-percent dynamite, which is so Old logs, rocks, and roots mixed in the materi-
sleepy it often cannot be detonated even by a al to be ditched may require that one cut the
direct hit from a high-power rifle, ditching distance between charges down even further.
powder is very shock-sensitive. It is impossible to tell what spacing to use, "
When I first used it, I carried the car- even by looking, much less make a valid recom-
tridges around in a sawdust-filled box. This mendation in a book. The only way to find out
seemed to be more paranoia thanIl am what will work is to try an experimental shot.
accustomed to accommodating, so I decided * Only one cap charge is used to set off all the
to experiment. charges. Be careful to note whether the shot
’ ® half-pound stick thrown as high as possible detonates all the charges placed in the string.
from the top of a twenty-four-foot barn did not Some borderline cartridges may be thrown out
detonate on hitting the frozen clay drive below. undetonated. No matter how ideal the condi-
Eight additional attempts failed to produce a tions, the maximum spacing will never be
bang. | therefore concluded that the material more than two feet. Generally you will end up
was safe enough under normal circumstances. setting up the shot grid on about one-foot cen-
“ It does, however, go off rather resolutely, ters unjess the ground is virtually saturated
when hit with a bullet. Through the years, I with standing water.

O
have spent a considerable number of pleasur- Before starting in earnest, run a cord and
able hours on my range plunking off dyna-. post line down through the region you want
mite. There is never a question as to the place- ditched. Unlikely as it seems, running a

106
 Building and Keeping Your Arsenal Secure

straight line of cartridges without a physical Ditching powder

.line staked out is incredibly difficult. A nice, placement ram.
straight ditch that the powder monkey can be REMOVABLE This may require stacking
proud of will result if such early precautions CORE
two or even three sticks in
are taken.
the same hole.
Experimental shots are done not only to
determine at what spacing the shot will propa-
Ditching powder is usu-
gate, but also to determine how much powder 11/2-1N. ally placed using a hol-
is needed to produce a ditch of the necessary PUNCH PIPE i —) Jow-core punch bar. The
depth and width. Obviously the depth at
__'| punch bar is made out of
which the charges are placed is extremely crit- | Common water pipe with
ical if proper drainage is to result. As a general
fea —i] an outside diameter of one
rule, a charge set three feet deep will cut down
SHOWING i anda half inches. If the
to about four feet if enough powder is placed
DEPTH IN —i] swamp through which one
above to move away the overburden material. STICKS OF _'| is blasting is so soft that.
py eMile | the punch hole caves in
ih POST 4 immediately, the pipe
must be fitted with a
removable core. This
7 ORIENTATION LINE
pointed core can be with-
drawn and the dynamite
F: slid into the hollow outer
AT LEAST8 IN.
DYNAMITE
I
BORE HOLES SET ON OF MATERIAL
SET ON 1-FT. GRID NO MORE THAN TAMPED OVER
CENTERS 2 FT. APART is aie |

| |3-FT. SET HOLE

¢

bide
*3 STICKS OF
DITCHING
POWDER
Side view of ditching set.
PRIMER CORD a
, DOUBLE CHARGES
; , TO CROSS SANDBAR shell and held in place with a wooden tamp-
ing stick as the punch is withdrawn.
woes
"xe It is helpful to fit the punch with a handle
to facilitate pulling, and it is essential that
deep, easily seen notches be ground in the
probe’s outer shell showing the depth of the
tool in dynamite cartridge lengths.
Every cartridge must be identically placed
/\ through material that is identical in makeup.
Sandbars or subsurface logjams through
, 2}. view of a ditching grid. which the dynamite will not propagate can be

107
 Ragnar’s Big Book of Homemade Weapons

handled by placing the charges in their regular added in, expenses are far less than when
predetermined grid and firing them with primer using other means. oe
cord or by electric detonation. Determining ‘Clearing grass and other material out of an
exactly how much powder to use in this circum- existing but silted-in ditch is virtually always
stance is a bitch. Because the ground is not wet faster and easier with explosives. In this case,
and lubricated, it would seem as though it a single string of cartridges is run down
would take less explosives. This, however, is not through the existing ditch line. If the car-
necessarily true. As no set rule exists that I tridges are buried at least three inches beneath
know of, the best thing to do is to make sure to the surface, as they should be with any propa-
use plenty of powder. It is always tough to go gation set, clay and plastic field tiles emptying
back and hit the area again. ; into the ditch will not usually be harmed.
If there is doubt and experiments are not There is no limit to the number of charges
practical, use at least twice the amount that that can be fired using one capped charge as
you originally estimated would do the job the explosive impulse through the moist soil.
when crossing a dry bar or other obstruction. Using three helpers, I have set almost a ton of
In all cases, mark out the ditch with posts dynamite in one day. The only practical limit
and a string with a great deal of precision. Use is the amount of territory available on which
small wire flags to indicate the location of the to work and the amount of energy and drive
charges if there is danger of them being lost or one can muster to put out the explosives,
misplaced in the marsh as you work around All charges placed in a day should be fired
your grid line. The grid of charges must be that evening. Ditching powder is not particular-
very accurately placed according to a pretest- ly water-sensitive, but many other factors could
ed, predetermined plan. lead to a potential misfire or an unsafe adven-
When a ditch set is detonated, there is a ture if the charges are left unfired overnight. @
very nice ground-shuddering thump. When Field conditions, vis-a-vis the season of the
enough powder is used and the grid is correct, year, are important whenever one uses explo-
the work accomplished is very gratifying as sives. When blasting ditches, wet ground con-
well as being most spectacular. The material dition is one of the primary considerations. It
from the ditch is thrown out and away without may be necessary to eithér wait for a hot spell
forming a costly-to-handle spoil bank. Spoil to dry up the ground or, conversely, for spring
banks would be there if the ditch were dug rains to bring enough moisture to allow the
mechanically. Often the dirt and water are system to work. Only shooting a trial charge
thrown two hundred feet into the air, negating will provide the necessary information.
any need to bring in a dozer with a blade to Clearing out stumps comprises the other
smooth things over. : end of the spectrum of work with which a pow-
Other advantages to cutting ditches with der handler will probably involve himself.
explosives include the fact that men and Stump removal is not only common, it is rea-
horses can pack explosives into places other- sonably easy to master. Most blasters will do
wise inaccessible to backhoes and power as I did and learn the ropes of the business in
shovels, Much smaller jobs can be undertak- the field actually doing the work. ;
en profitably due to economies of scale. Stumping is both easy and yet quite a chal-
Mechanical equipment requires a much lenge for those given to thinking about such
larger job to be profitable. Using explosives things. Like cutting a diamond, every situa-
is also often much faster than hauling in tion is a little different. Some varieties of trees
power shovels. : (such as Norway pine, hickory, white oak, elm,
At the time the charges are placed, it may and gum) have massive, deep penetrating
seem as though costs are going through the roots referred to as tap roots. Others (such as
ceiling. But in most cases, when everything is white pine, fir, maple, box elder, and cedar) \
 Building and Keeping Your Arsenal Secure

have heavy lateral root structures. There is no Stumps with massive lateral roots require
tap root in this second case, but rather large about the same procedure. Dig the auger in
branch roots extruding out to the side in all under the main stump mass, fire a single hol-
directions, Removing these stumps can bea ing charge, and then hit it with the main
real problem. If they are not charged correctly, charge. The essential element is knowing how
the dirt will be blown away from the base of many cartridges should comprise the main
the stump, leaving a wooden, spider-like crit- charge. Conditions change from day to day
ter standing in the
field that is very diffi-
: It to cut away. Size of Add Add
Y at Unless ae is q Stump1 Number number for
3 trained forester, itis ft. above Condition of Soll . of tap
F impossible to tell for ground of stump cartridges type cartridges __ roots
: sure what kind of a A
A stump oneisdealing ~- § Green 2 Wet 0 0
: with a couple of years Dead 1 Sand +2 0
a after the tree has been Clay +11 0
‘ . The t certain
eS ae is Cee he 12" Green 4 Wet +1 0
oo dynamite auger to Dead 2 Sand +3 0
%:- - bore a hole under the Clay 7 +1 0
: 1 d do a bit of .
- ecpioeng: 18" Green 7 Wet +2 +1
a If the auger hits a Dead 3 Sand +4 +1
3 tap root on a 30° angle Clay +2 +1
9 down under the stump, 7
Z it’s safe to assume it’s 24 Green 9 Wet +2 +2
‘ the kind with big, verti- Dead 5 Sand +3 +2
c cal roots. Sometimes, Clay +3 +2
° however, that pro- 4
BE nouncement is prema- 30 Green 12 Wet +3 +3
E ture, Hit it once with a Dead 6 Sand +4 +3
: springing charge, Clay +5 +3
be which will throw away 1 ;
g the dirt and soil 36 Green 15 Wet +4 +4
a. around the root. If the Dead 8 Sand +4 +4
Me stump has a tap root, it Clay +4 +4
e will then be obvious.
nt I do not like to try to bore a shot hole into and from soil type to soil type. Try using the
the tap roots to save powder. What I save in following guidelines for starters: ;
powder breaking the root off underground, I Do not, under any circumstances, allow
lose in Wheaties trying to force the auger your mind to go into neutral while stumping
into the punky, tough-as-wang-leather wood. with dynamite. The result can be a bunch of
Instead, clean out a space next to the tap. thundering roars that throw pieces all around
root about the size of a small pumpkin. Pack or, even worse, a blast that simply splits the
in eight to ten—or more if the stump is still stump while leaving it firmly anchored in
large and green—40-percent cartridges bent, broken sections in the ground.
against the tap root and let ‘em rip. Blasting stumps quickly teaches novice

109
 Ragnar’s Big Book of Homemade Weapons |

powder monkeys the importance of C)

adequately stemming their charges.
Shot holes that are solidly packed with
* (Left) Dynamite auger.
(Right) Sprung hole charge,
2 mud or wet soil contain the explosion
BIG, HEAVY partl, .. DRILLHOLE AUGERED ina much more satis-
HANDLE UNDER STUMP factory manner than
if this chore is
neglected. The differ-
ence can add up toa
case or more of pow-
der by the end of the
day.
Start tamping the
charge by dumping some
crumbly soil down the shot hole on top of the
cartridges after they are in place. Do this
with the wooden handle of your tamping
5 TOG FT. stock or shovel. Keep working the hole
until it is plugged up with tightly tamped
part 2. ‘ soil. It also helps
DRILL HOLE AUGERED immeasurably to pile
UNDER STUMP
a few shovels of dirt
on the hole after it
has been filled to
WELD TO ground level.
STEEL ~. At times when the
ROD: ground does not ade-
7.
PLAGE SINGLE . quately contain the
Serre Wake first springing shot charge
HOLE FOR MAIN or when the powder monkey
CHARGE inadvertently overcharges the
set, the blaster will find that he must move in
quite a bit of material with which to
. tamp the hole under
DRILLHOLE AUGERED the stump. Best to fire
Sprung hole charge, UNDER STUMP up the long-handled
part 3, shovel and move in
SPRUNG HOLE
CHARGE FIRED
whatever it takes to
do the job properly.
Usually, if this hap-
pens, the surround-
ing soil will be loose
and easily shoveled
as a result of being
torn up by the sprung
hole charge.

O
SHOT HOLE As. previously men-
Y CHARGED WITH
1 1/2-IN, AUGER WITH POWDER AND tioned, some people who work
HEAVY FLIGHTS RETAMPED

110
 earlier. The dozer can be rigged to
punch the charge holes. It can grub
out those stumps that are not suffi-
FUZE TAMP HOLE ciently loosened by the dynamite and
THOROUGHLY it can fill in excessive holes made by
|, using too much powder. It’s an ideal
e; combination if the novice powder

°. ee
E! RaApeT
CHARGE ELECTRIC WIRE TO
Ae
- owe,
TAP ROOT 6 POWER SOURCE
TAP ROOT“,
with explosives make a
practice of boring a hole
into the tap root under
large stumps. The proce-
dure saves powder but is
such hard work thatI never . a By
became enamored with the
concept. In the case of a very large
© © cuarnces een
IN AUGER HOLE oo
\
stump with corresponding tap root, I
will either pack the tap root on one side with handler
: an unusually heavy charge or split the can put it Stump with tap root
: charge into equal parts and fire the two together. shotelectricallyon
imultaneously with electric caps or primer Stumping sides of root.
cord. with dynamite
Some stumps with many lateral roots can was, in the past, the
simply be chopped off at ground level using most common nonprofessional use for explo-
[ faster powder. Pickafoldinthestumpinto _ sives. Stump removal is no longer a big item
i which several sticks can be packed. Cap them with farmers, most of whom are currently work-
t over with a heavy layer of mud and fire them ing fields that have been cleared for more years
: off. If done properly, the stump will be rent than the farmers are old. I don’t know which
into little pieces, leaving the bigger subsur- use is currently in second place, but for us it was
; face roots at ground level to rot. . removing and breaking stones, old foundation
The most difficult stump to take out is one footings, and cement pads.
that is burnt or has been already shot, with Huge stones, many as large as cars or pick-
only the heart taken out. The various sections ups, can be thrown free of the ground, mud-
must either be shot electrically with two or | capped, split, and hauled away using a few
more charges or, in some cases, the shell can sticks of easily portable powder by one skilled
be wrapped with a chain and successfully shot powder monkey.
out in one piece (see illustration). It still may One monster stone on our farm had mali-
be necessary to use multiple charges but the ciously and mercilessly torn shares from our
chain will tend to hold the stump togetherand _ plow for years. It lay about one foot below
pull it all out in one piece. Use plenty of chain ground level and was flat as a dining room
along with slower 40-percent powder or less table and just as big if one added all the extra
when employing this method. leaves. One day it ate two of my shares simul-
Removing stumps with explosives works taneously. That was absolutely it. I went
pecially well if one can combine the work straight back to the shop for the dynamite. My
ith the efforts of a bulldozer as mentioned brothers depreciated my determination.

111
 Ragnar’s Big Book of Homemade Weapons
Chaining split
stump for removal.
PRIMER CORD FROM 1ST CHARGE
in one piece. SECURELY WRAPPED AROUND BOTH
Split charge fired | CHARGES OF DYNAMITE
_ with det cord to
take out stump
left in two pieces,
- CONVENTIONAL
FUZE AND CAP
~ GROUND LEVEL
“593

a on
MAIN CHARGE

“That stone is so big and mean,” they said,

“you don’t have enough powder to get it out.”
How words are sometimes é0 prophetic. It TWO CHARGES PLACED
was not immediately obvious what I was work- : FROM OPPOSITE SIDES
ing with. A five-foot auger did not reach to the:
bottom side of the rock. One stick fired asa ing a gaping hole that eventually filled with
springing charge did very little. I dropped in a water and mired our tractors every year we
bundle of seven and threw outa nice hole that I ‘worked the field till we sold out. It had to be the
biggest rock anyone in the county had ever tried
could get down into with my
shovel. Again using the auger, I to contend with in one piece. Two of our biggest
went down under the monstrous’ tractors could barely pull it away. 4 ;
piece of granite. Another charge _Even normal, garden-sized rocks are best
finally poked an adequate cavern handled by a variation of the technique we
used, Get a springing charge hole under
* under the rock,
them and throw them clear with lots of 40-
percent powder. The technique requires quite
a lot of digging and augering, but it’s the
* SPLIT FUZE TO only way I know of for one man to remove
Det cord attached to con-
ventional fuze and cap ' “FACILITATE > boulders economically.
used to detonate the det LIGHTING . Rock outcroppings can be
removed nicely with dynamite.
~~
RR earsle 7 The technique is similar to break-
—t PERS
1 ing up large rocks for transport.
Thywars al See
as POOKIE TOGS
XO

I filled the hole under the rock with Qpprox- .

imately thirty sticks of 40-percent powder. Not
NATURAL
many rocks require that much powder, but FOLD IN ~
this was not an average rock. By now I was so MUD CAP STUMP WITH
OVER DYNAMITE
pissed off, I would have used three hundred if CHARGE STICKS «
that’s what it took. My brothers wanted to split PRESSED
itin place but, in my eyes, that would have INTO PLACE
been a cop-out. c &
The thirty. sticks thumped about hard
enough to be felt in the county seat fifteen miles Old, rotten stumps can cnen(
away. El Rocko pitched out on the ground, leav- be blown offat ground level °
with a mud-cap charge.
 Building and Keeping Your Arsenal Secure

Large boulders such as the CABLE DRUM TO

Dozer with dyna-

gn
RAISE AND LOWER
plow-eating monster are usually 6-FT. SECTION OF mite punch.
mud-capped and split into hun- 4-IN. COLD
ROLLED STEEL
dreds of easily handled pieces. It’s
better to haul them away whole, if
you have big enough machinery,
rather than pick up all the pieces. ROLLED EYE
CONNECTED WITH
But in cases of very large boulders, BOLT TO DRAW BAR
that is often not possible.
Mud-capping consists of plac-
ing a number of sticks of fast 60-
or 80-percent powder on top of
the victim rock,
Cover the cartridges with four
to six inches of very wet mud and
to bring in a ripper, there is no
Crawler with punch lowered and alternative to trotting out the
pushed under stump. rock drill, hammers, and powder.
Use fast powder if it is easier to
clean up with a scoop shovel and
wheelbarrow. Slow powder cre-
ates bigger chunks that are best
pulled away with a tractor.
Old footings and cement pads
can be broken into large chunks
by placing fast 60-percent
{ charges a foot or so under the
‘; material. The shock will tip up
i the slab or footing as well as breaking it at the
' ‘touch it off. Apparently, shock waves from the point of impact. If the cement contains rein-
sharp, fast detonation fracture the rock. It is forcing metal, it must be further cut mechani-
the one case when a powder handler can expe- cally. Metal is usually too tough and flexible
rience a nice, audible explosion as a result of to be cut with explosives except in special
his labors. The mud vaporizes. There is no military situations.
throw-rock danger from mud-cap charges. Road building through hilly terrain is nicely
At times, powder handlers will use a large done with explosives. Start by boring down into
masonry drill to bore a hole into an offending the ground between the rocks with your auger.
rock. After filling the hole with powder, they Place as much explosive in the hole as possible.
shoot it much the same way a miner would This will loosen the rock and soil so that it can
shoot a working face. be moved. Keep working down in and around
Driving a steel drill into a solid rock is a whatever obstacles exist until the roadbed is
poor substitute for conventional, easy-to-set- about as wide and deep as needed. Evena
up, effective mud caps, but it is necessary if farmer with a small tractor can cut a road
one wants to take out a rock ledge or outcrop. through a rocky hill using this method along
Home builders sometimes find under- with a relatively small amount of explosives.
ground ledges through which they must cut Several other chores that are a bit obscure
for footings or which are otherwise in the are possible with dynamite.
@& way. When the job is too small or too remote Springs that are leaking water onto one’s

113
 Ragnar’s Big Book of. Homemade Weapons

a time when the hole is dry and the

Whit’ hardpan barrier becomes brittle.
a erage In both cases, bore down with a
\
oon
°o
'
’
« Post-hole digger and set the charge
ove . ha in J s S, @ at the very bottom of the hole. Tamp
op ° im o, the.set shut nicely. In the case of the
'
Ooo ' '; ¥ pothole, it may be spring before it is
: | *& .* obvious whether the shot was suc-
-o l '
“AUGERHOLE | | cessful in breaking the clay barrier.
je es BURIED ROCK Other work—such as blasting out
duck ponds, tunneling through
rock, or cutting down a rock hill for
AUGER HOLE Ad a road—can be done with a combi-
—--— — ee
Was h \y nation of dynamite and ammoni-
: Md um nitrate.
°o .
o\
Q
oFial + Building a tunnel is not usually
bs -o tp ae
‘ ht | ae
fa 3 work that the casual home and
: 8 Vt " “} recreational user will do. This gener-
: 1
) Mt . o° © ally is left for the miners who do that
. 1 8 vi work, Like stumping, tunneling
a. My
oa
neh, © through rock is best learned by trial
SPRUNG-HOLE | \o and error, The trial involves finding
CHARGEFIRED \ wet! a seam soft enough into which you
can sink a hammer-driven star drill. °
With a bit of practice, it is possible to
\ vy determine what drill grid will allow
\\ Ny the powder to do its best work.
3 Qe Usually it is advisable to fire the out-
6 er charges first, releasing the wall so
oe) that the inner charge can dislodge
= the most rock. Hardened rock drills
*. can be purchased from specialty
hardware stores. fee
Another common category of
MAIN CHARGE working uses for dynamite is taking
COMPLETE UNDER ROCK out ice.
TAMPING - “QP
The farm on which I grew up was
property and creating bog holes can some- - surrounded on three sides by a fair-
times be shut off permanently by shooting a ly large river. Our most productive riverbot- '
large charge of fast powder deep in the ground tom field was once threatened by a huge ice
above the hill where the water surfaces. Not jam causing floodwater to cut across the
every attempt is successful but, given the mod- field. Our neighbor on the other side of the
est cost, itis worth a try. | : water watched jubilantly as Mother Nature
Small ‘potholes are often drained by shoot- prepared to hand him an additional forty
ing a charge of fast, shocking-type powder acres of prime farm ground. (Land titles at
deep in the underlying hardpan that forms a ‘ that time specified that ownership ran up to
water barrier for the hole. This must be done.at the high water mark of the river, wherever
that might be.) ;
 ‘sing a mud-cap charge. V tied the box shut securely with baler
\\NA, twine.
Wh A At the river I lit both fuzes at as
ao il 25 _8 oO - Close to the same time as possible
. ae may 2. .¢ and pushed the case into the freez-
bs o R. ing, ice-swollen current with a long
t * stick.
ste é i A full case of dynamite in water
° Ht ; doesn’t really sink or float. It kind of
o” | veer bumps alsng half under the surface.
cian We kept track of its progress by watch- .
ie ing for the smoke from the fuze.
a-stickcHance Unless it is put in the water too quick-
COVERED WITH ly or goes too deep, dynamite fuze
3 IN. OF MUD will burn pretty well under water.
Driven by the current, the case
bumped along under the great ice
pack, Huge chunks of floating ice,
backed up perhaps two hundred
yards, soon obscured the progress of
f- the drifting bomb.
3 CoN Oe "5 x After about five minutes, the case
oNGROUND 2 : °0 wont onabout sn eingtaof ueway
; ° : eae own theice pack. It sent huge
E. @: Ae a ee % chunks flying nicely into the eee
.°0? standing ankle deep along the
- swollen river bank. A shock wave
rippled downstream, almost taking
. Dad asked me ifIcould help him do some- out the jam, but mostly the log and
t. thing before the new channel got deep and ice pile-up stood firm.
i permanent. I said! could, but that it would We rigged the second case. I cut the fuze off
t cost as much as twenty dollars or more for at ten minutes (ten feet) and double-capped it
i dynamite. In retrospect, the amount was so again.
' trivial it is embarrassing, but at the time, hav- This time the charge took so long it was at
: ing money for two or three cases of dynamite first monotonous and then scary as we began to
; seemed horribly extravagant. think we had a misfire. It finally went witha
3 Dad immediately took the truck down to nice roar, right at the head of the jam.
the hardware store. He bought two fifty-pound After about ten minutes, the river started to
cases of 60-percent, plus a coil of fuze anda move again in its traditional banks. The
half box of caps. stream across our river-bottom field dimin-
I didn’t know how much powder to use or how ished in intensity. Thanks to the explosives,
long to make the fuzes. The rule of thumb when our property remained intact.
hitting ice is to use three times as much powder Dynamite is, of course, useful when one is
as seems necessary. Length of time on the fuze after large numbers of fish. The fact that fuze
could only be learned by experimenting. will burn up to ten feet under water is very
I cut two identical lengths of fuze six feet helpful when one is pursuing that activity.
i @:: capped them to two different sticks of If there is a question, at times I will place the
‘ ynamite, and put them back in the box. We entire cap charge and coiled fuze in a thin plas-

i . 115
 Ragnar’s Big Book of Homemade Weapons

tic bag. Water pressure collapses the

bag, protecting the burning fuze and
cap charge a bit. Iam not absolutely cer- _
Ss
BORE IN DEEP
AS POSSIBLE tain that this allows me to go deeper .
AND SHOOT with my charges, but I think it does.
CHARGE
No particular care need be taken
with cap charges set for regular propa-
gation sets when ditching with powder. |
The water is never deep enough to be of
concern. :
We used dynamite to clean out
drainage tiles, blast holes for end posts
or fence lines, clear log jams, and knock
the limbs from old, dead, “widow mak-
ROCKS AFTER er” trees we were clearing before we cut
SHOT AND them with a chain saw.
CLEANED OUT Using dynamite greatly expands
one person’s ability to accomplish
TAKE OUT TWO uncommonly difficult tasks. This list
.ROCKS AND may be a bit archaic, and is certainly
CLEAN UP AND
CUT DOWN AGAIN not all-inclusive, but it does illustrate
to some extent the range of activities
that can be undertaken using com-
"3 SRN mon explosives.
E HOLE,
 CHAPTER 20

IMPROVISED DETONATING CAPS

Alfred Nobel's discovery of the principle of tubing is not readily available, use clean,
initial ignition (blasting caps) in 1863 may be bright, unsquashed, undamaged .22 magnum
more significant than the work he did pioneer- rimfire cases. Do not use copper tubing unless
ing the development of dynamite itself. the caps will be put in service within forty-
Without the means of safely detonating one’s eight hours of their manufacture. Copper can
explosives, the explosives are of little value. As combine with either of the primer mixtures
I demonstrated in the chapter on.ammonium described below, creating an even more dan-
nitrate, it is not particularly difficult to come gerous compound.
up with some kind of blasting agent. Making For fuze-type caps, empty .22 mag brass
it go boom somewhat on schedule is the real should be filled to within one-quarter inch of
piece of work in this business. the top of the empty case. This unfilled one-
Finding something to use for a cap is a dif- quarter inch provides the needed “skirt” used
ferent kettle of fish. Usually under the facade to crimp the fuze to the cap.
of safety, blasting caps are the first item to be Fuze can often be purchased. If not, make it
taken off the market by despotic governments. yourself out of straws and sugar chloride powder.
There are at least two reasonably easy, Two mixtures are fairly easy when making
expedient methods of making blasting caps. the priming compound for blasting caps.
The formulas are not terribly dangerous but Crush to fine powder two and a half tea-
do require that one exercise a ‘high degree of spoons of hexamine (military fuel) tablets.
caution. Caps, after all, are the most sensitive, Make sure you use hexam'ne. Sometimes hex-
dangerous part of the blasting process. amine is confused with trioxaine, a chemical
Improvised caps have an additional ele- that is used for basically the same purpose.
ment of risk due to the fact that they are sensi- Often, but not always, hexamine is white,
tive to relatively small amounts of heat, shock, while trioxaine is bluish.
static electricity, and chemical deterioration. Hexamine is available at many sporting
The solution is to think your way carefully goods stores and virtually all army surplus
through each operation and to make only a shops. Many of the survival catalogs also car-
few caps at a time. By doing so, you will limit ry it, often in larger quantities at reduced
the potential damage to what you hope are prices. I personally favor ordering my hexam-
acceptable levels. ine from survival catalogs to be more certain
Fuze and electric-sensitive chemical mix- of what I am getting.
tures are best putin extremely thin-walled .25 Many clerks in sporting goods stores seem
ID (inside diameter) aluminum tubing. If the to have undergone lobotomies as a qualifica-

117
“age

Ragnar’s Big Book of Homemade Weapons

tion for the job. In my experience, they will Allow the powder to dry in a cool, dark
either try to talk you out of hexamine if they place. The resulting explosive is very powerful.
don’t have it, or try substituting something It is also very sensitive, so use caution. In my
else (suppositories, for instance) if they can’t opinion, the concoction is about three times as
determine for sure what it is they have or powerful as regular caps of the same size.
exactly what you want. : Using a plastic spoon, fill the presorted and
As of this writing, a sufficient amount of precleaned .22 mag cases with the powder.
hexamine to make two batches of caps costs Pack the powder down into the case witha
from $.75 to $1.50. tight-fitting brass rod. I have never had an
Place the finely powdered hexamine ina ‘incident, but for safety’s sake I still use a heavy
clear glass mixing jar. A pint-sized jar with an leather glove and a piece of one-quarter-inch
old-fashioned glass top is perfect for the job. steel clamped in a vise to shield me when I
Add four and a half tablespoons of citric acid pack in the powder. The end result is a very
to the two and a half tablespoons of crushed nice cap, ready to clamp on the fuze in the cus-
hexamine. Stir with a glass rod until the mix- tomary fashion.
ture is a slurry. The citric acid can be the com- If a piece of tubing is used in place of a
mon variety found in the canning department mag case, securely crimp or solder one end
of the grocery store. It is usually used to preserve shut. It will not do to have the powder leak
the color of home-frozen and canned fruit and out of the cap. Powder contact with the solder
sells for about $1.59 per bottle. should be kept to a minimum. Fingernail
The final mix involves pouring in a table- polish can be used to seal the lead away from:
spoon of common peroxide. Use the stuff bot- the chemical. ; : “
tle blondes are famous for that is 20- to 30- It is possible and perhaps desirable to con-.
percent pure by volume, available from tinue on and turn these caps into electrically
drugstores. This material is the cheapest of. fired units, but more about that later. First
the ingredients, costing roughly one dollar we'll discuss another good formula that uses
per bottle. equally common materials. This one is a bit
Shake the mixture vigorously for at least better because the mixture involves all liquids,
ten minutes, until everything appears to be in but it is temperature critical and should there-
solution. Set the mixing jar in a dark, undis- fore be approached with special care.
turbed spot for at least twelve hours. Be sure . Mix 30 milliliters of acetone purchased
‘this place is somewhat .cool as well as dark. from an automotive supply house with 50
Don't put it in the basement on top of a heat milliliters of 20- to 30-percent peroxide pur-
duct, for instance. : chased from the corner bottle blonde. There
After a few hours of undisturbed, cool shelf are about 28 milliliters per ounce. Adjust your
sitting, a white, cloudy precipitate will begin mix on that basis if you have nothing but
to appear. At the end of twelve hours, there English measures to work with. _ ;
should be enough to load.three blasting caps. Stir the acetone and peroxide together thor-:
Making enough chemical for three caps is just oughly. Prepare a large bow! full of crushed
right, in my opinion. Anything more in one ice. Mix in a quart or so of water and about
batch is too risky. one-half to two-thirds pound of salt. Place the
- Filter the entire mix through a coffee filter. pint jar with the acetone and peroxide in the
Run four or five spoons of isopropy! alcohol salt ice cooling bath.
through the powder to clean it. Measure out 2.5 milliliters of concentrated
Spread the wet, filtered powder on a piece of sulfuric acid. Sulfuric is available from people
uncoated, tough paper. Don’t use newspaper who sell lead acid batteries. Using an eyedrop-
or magazine covers. Notebook paper ora per, add this to the mixture one drop ata time.
paper bag is ideal. Stir continually. If the mixture starts to get hot,

118
 Building and Keeping Your Arsenal Secure

( TOP OPEN TO ALLOW FUZE CRIMP Spread on paper and

N blasting
caps. dry. Like the first material,
this batch will produce
EMPTY .22 MAG CASE (CLEAN,
UNDAMAGED, UNDENTED) enough powder for about
three caps. These are pretty
hefty caps, having about
FILL WITH CHEMICAL three times the power of
TIGHTLY PACKED IN CASE
regular dynamite caps.
They should set off.
ammonium nitrate, but
don’t be surprised if they
don’t. I have never tried it,
but making two caps from
1/4-IN. ID THIN WALL ALUMINUM TUBING a batch rather than three
might create a cap with
TOP 1/4 IN. LEFT enough heft to detonate
UNFILLED FOR CRIMP CRIMP END OF TUBE ammonium nitrate reli-
ably. The problem then is
that .22 mag brass does
not have enough capacity.
TUBE FILLED WITH CHEMICAL You will have to go toa
THIN, NONCOPPER WIRE hardware store to find suit-
EMBEDDED IN CAP CHEMICAL
able aluminum tubing.
Electrical caps, because
of the fact that bridge wires
RAHI must be included in the
GLUE HOLDS WIRE 1/4-IN. ID ALUMINUM TUBING
package, must be consider-
ably larger than fuze caps.
For making electrical
GLUE PLUG HOLDS caps, use any fine steel
WIRES IN PLACE wire that is available. I use
CAP CHEMICAL
nichrome .002 diameter
wire purchased from a
‘hardware specialty shop.
VERY THIN FILLING OF FFFF6 BLACK POWDER OR
HEAVIER NICHROME WIRE SUGAR CHLORATE POWDER AS BOOSTER Hobby shops are alsoa
LEAD source of this wire. Copper
WIRES
wire is easiest to obtain but
should not be used because
stop adding acid and stir as long as it takes for of its possible reaction with the blasting mate-
the temperature to start to drop again. rial.
After all the acid has been added, cover the I strongly urge that an experimental piece
jar and set it in the refrigerator for twelve of proposed bridge wire be placed in a circuit
hours. Try not to disturb or shake the jar by with a 12-volt car battery, a wall outlet, or
opening the refrigerator needlessly. whatever power source will be used. The wire
Again, a white, cloudy precipitate will form should burn an instantaneous cherry red
in the bottom of the pint jar. As before, filter when the current is applied. If it doesn’t, use a
through a coffee filter, but wash it with a cou- smaller diameter wire.
ple of spoons of distilled water. Having located a usable wire, cut the .

119
 _Ragnar’s Big Book of Homemade Weapons -
thread-thin material into six-inch pieces. Bend
these into a U and place them in the bottom of
the tubes. Pack the recently manufactured cap
‘one-third with FFFF6 black powder or sugar
chlorate powder, whichever is easier and
more available.
O
explosive in around the wire. Seal the cap off The chlorate or black powder ignites much
with silicon caulk. Allow the cap to cure for more easily, in turn, taking the more powerful
several days. The last step is to attach the lead cap mixture with it. Concocting this combina-
wires to the thin bridge wires. The job can be tion is, of course,.dependent on having the
tougher than one would suppose because of necessary materials.
the thinness of the bridge wires. Be sure the If black or sugar powder is not available,
connection is secure and solid. Use tiny the caps can usually be made to work reliably
mechanical clamps as necessary and, of using only the original cap powder.
course, do not even think about soldering the Making these caps requires more than the
wires after they are embedded in the primer. usual amount of care and experimentation.
For some unknown reason, some of my The procedure is workable but dangerous.
mixtures have not detonated well using a Blasters who can secure commercial caps are
heated bridge wire. To get around this, I advised to go that route. But if not, these caps
have occasionally loaded two-thirds of the are workable and, in total, not all that tough
cap with hexamine or acetate booster and to make.

C)
 CHAPTER 21

INTRODUCTION
‘
t
t
‘
t

Survivors generally agree that commercial Seymour Lecker, in his excellent book,
explosives lend themselves best to commercial Improvised Explosives, quotes the famous
applications. Paramilitary survival explosives, paramilitarist Che Guevara: “Fully half of the
as a general rule, need to be more powerful. people we assigned to explosives-making were
For instance, store-bought dynamite will not eventually killed or maimed.” Even the best,
cut steel or shatter concrete (usually). simplest formulas are dangerous. The one that
Many survivors believe that there are times follows is no exception. It is the safest formula
p: when they will need an explosive equiv- that I know of, but even at that, a certain per-
ent of military C-4, or plastique. However, as centage of those who try to make this explo-
ith the lottery, fire department, and post sive will end up as casualties. :
Sey
aims
inaeorators
gan
it, office, which are monopolized by various gov- Federal laws regulating explosives manu-
ernment agencies, the federal government facture are extremely strict. Home manufac-
monopolizes C-4, making it next to impossible turers can receive penalties of up to $10,000
to purchase. Survivors can’t count on buying and/or ten years’ imprisonment. If personal
and caching military explosives against the injury to other parties results from the experi-
day of need. : ments, fines and jail sentences can be doubled.
According to standard military charts, Although there are ominous signs on the
straight 60-percent commercial dynamite, the horizon, the United States does not yet seem to
most powerful grade generally available to the be part of a completely totalitarian society. In
public, has a detonation velocity of approxi- that regard, anarchy may be premature.
mately 19,000 feet per second (fps). Military However, this is purely a matter of personal
INT detonates at about 22,600 fps. TNT is con- perspective. Times and events can change
sidered to be the minimum grade of explosive quickly. Processes that may now appear undu-
required by survivalists and paramilitarists ly risky from a chemical, legal, and sociopoliti-
who want to cut steel and shatter concrete. cal standpoint may soon be entirely accept-'
C-4, the acknowledged big-league explo- able. Each reader should know the risks and
sives benchmark, detonates at a speedy then apply his own standards.
26,400 fps. C-4 may seem to be ideal for your If you think that you would like to have C-4
Survival needs, but, as with many somewhat now (or possess the capability of making it at
eeSi
epee
cee
worthy objectives, the game may not be some later date), this book is for you. What fol-
worth the candle. Mixing up a batch of C-4 lows appears to meet most survivors’ specifica-
:@': not be worth the risk. It is both danger- tions for a military-grade explosive. If you fol-
us and illegal. low instructions carefully, the material is rela-

123

ges
momen
actece
cee

mT
 -Ragnar’s Big Book of Homemade Weapons

tively safe to manufacture, but, of course, may choose to master the necessary skills and |
making or having it was illegal at the time this store this knowledge away with the necessary
book went to press. To solve this dilemma, you ingredients in case you need them later.

C)
124
 CHAPTER 22

AMMONIUM NITRATE

One may be amazed to find that something facturers. (Many producers sell nitric acid to
as common as agricultural-grade ammonium other manufacturers for use in their manufac-
nitrate (NH4N03) is the basis for a huge num- turing operations. Although U.S. production of
ber of explosives. Ammonium. nitrate is readi- nitric acid and ammonium nitrate is now vir-
ly available on a year-round basis. Farms of . tually absorbed by agribusiness, most of the
every size regularly use hundreds of tons of plants were started with government subsidies
this fertilizer. as explosives manufacturers.) Combining
Ammonium nitrate is often the preferred nitric acid and ammonia produces salts,
@:: of nitrogen for such crops as corn, which after being dried and prilled should be
eat, beans, and barley. Farmers use it when- - 34 percent nitrogen.
ver they need a source of relatively stable, Some fertilizers marked ammonium nitrate
long-lasting agricultural nitrogen. This is espe- may actually be something else. Manu-
cially surprising since the concentration of facturers often add a calcium coating to
nitrogen per bag is relatively low, making this ammonium nitrate because it is deliquescent, .
nitrogen source expensive for many cost-con- which means it pulls moisture out of the air.
scious farmers. Ammonium nitrate costs as Uncoated, unprilled ammonium nitrate will
much as $9 per 80-pound bag in farm supply quickly harden into a substance resembling
Stores and up to $15 per 60- or 80-pound bag green concrete. Anything more than a slight
in garden-supply stores where profit margins calcium coating, however, will Keep the acti-
are steeper. vating liquid (in this case, nitromethane) from
Ammonium nitrate was first produced in soaking into the ammonium nitrate, just as it
the early 1860s by Swedish chemists. The pro- prevents the absorption of water. If the manu-
cess they developed is the same one used today facturer adds more than a minute coating of
by major fertilizer manufacturers. The process calcium, he must mark the bag appropriately.
entails putting natural gas under great pres- Don’t use this material.
Sure, mixing it with superheated steam, and Although fertilizer-grade ammonium
injecting the mixture into a conversion cham- nitrate can usually be purchased from nurs-
ber lined with a platinum catalyst. After the eries and garden-supply stores, a better
reaction is underway, the generated heat source for explosives manufacture is farm-
oe
Causes
cerEermen
ere
the process to be self-sustaining. supply stores. Garden-supply outlets often
Pure liquid ammonia produced by this pro- stock fertilizers that are blends of ammoni-
Cess is combined with nitric acid, which is also um nitrate and other fertilizers. Blends are
, by most ammonium-nitrate manu- absolutely unacceptable even if they claim to

Ran

fs
dled
 Ragnar’s Big Book of Homemade Weapons

contain a base of ammonium nitrate.

Buy only pure ammonium nitrate
because any other additives dramati-
cally reduce its explosive effectiveness.
Sales clerks often will try to get you to
substitute urea or ammonium sulfate for
ammonium nitrate. They point out that
the substitute is less expensive, more sta-
ble, has just as much nitrogen, and is a
prettier color. (I customarily explain that
I need pure ammonium nitrate because
I intend to blow up the material. This
approach works best in rural stores.
Urban clerks, used to supplying yuppie
rose growers, may look askance at this
sort of honesty.)
Would-be home-explosives manu-
facturers must learn to read fertilizer
bags, at least in a superficial sense. The
figures listed on the bag refer to the ratio
of nitrogen, phosphorous, and potash
contained in the product. Ammonium
sulfate will be listed as 21-0-0 or some-
thing close. Urea, which can contain
from 46 to 48 percent nitrogen, would
read 46-0-0. Blends such as 21-44-8 con-

ae 2 A 5 i : y

. Ammonium, ee
SCRNNO Nitrate 2.0opil

Buy only sealed bags of ammonium nitrate labeled

34-0-0. The figures represent a ratio of nitrogen,
phosphorous, and potash. You want a fertilizer that
contains 34 percent nitrogen, no phosphorous, and
no potash. Don't be persuaded by salespeople to sub-
"stitute other blends or products. Buy the freshest fer-
tilizer you can find and seal it immediately in double
garbage bags as soon as you get home.

tain 21 percent nitrogen, 44 percent

phosphate, and 8 percent potash. These
and other similar substitutes are worth-
less for anything other than fertilizing.
Only ammonium nitrate contains a
i | ratio of 34-0-0,
a Ta ae On arriving home with the 34-0-0 fer-
Ammonium nitrate, a common garden and farm fertilizer, is available year. tilizer (if you're not planning on using it.
round throughout the United States at farm- and garden-supply stores. right away), seal the unopened bag

126°
 Building and Keeping Your Arsenal Secure

Flash, and Fury by Ragnar Benson,

Paladin Press.) However, in spite of
these notable accidents, ammonium
nitrate is relatively safe to handle.
Many farmers store it in barns just a
few feet from the house. An unlikely
combination of heat and contamination
by oils or coal dust can cause problems,
but as a general rule, I would not be fear-
ful of keeping the material under my
bed. It is inert, as road builders, quarry
operators, farmers, contractors, and oth-
ers who use it as an inexpensive blasting
agent find out. Ammonium nitrate must
be soaked with fuel oil and/or mixed
with powdered walnut hulls, coal dust, or
another source of carbon to make it
active. Even with these combustible addi-
Fertilizer-grade ammonium nitrate is exuded into small seed-sized prill and tives, I find it terribly difficult to make
then coated with a thin layer of calcium. The calcium coating is a mixed ammonium nitrate detonate.
blessing. It is necessary to keep the prill from absorbing moisture and hard-
ening into a concretelike substance, but it also prevents the activating liq-
Officially, ammonium nitrate is con-
uid (in this case, nitromethane) from soaking into the prill. sidered only a blasting agent, but it
does have some explosive applications.
mmonium nitrate is properly sold in plastic- During World War I, the British, who were low
ned bags, not from bulk bins) in at least two on military explosives, useda million pounds
heavy-duty plastic garbage bags. Of course, of ammonium nitrate laced with INT and
any partially full bags should also be sealed powdered aluminum to stage a successful sap-
thoroughly to prevent moisture absorption. per attack against the German lines at
Under many circumstances in the United Messines Ridge in Belgium. Later on, continu-
States, it is virtually impossible to store ammo- ing through World War II, the French and
nium nitrate for any length of time and still Germans both loaded their high-explosive
maintain usable ingredients. artillery and mortar rounds with ammonium
Ammonium nitrate has been involved in nitrate explosives.
some spectacular explosions during this cen- Although many countries around the world
tury. Well over 3 million pounds of ammoni- now prohibit the sale or possession of ammo-
um nitrate accidentally detonated in the har- nium nitrate, it is commonly available in the
bor at Texas City, Texas, in 1947. Oppau, United States and will probably continue to be
Germany, was blasted right off the map in for the foreseeable future. At this time, buying
1921 by a free-roaring ammonium nitrate an 80-pound bag should be no problem for
blast. (For more information about these and anyone (even city dwellers) with ten dollars
other great explosions of history, read Fire, and a means of carting it off.

127
 CHAPTER 23

——NITROMETHANE

Nitromethane is the second of three chemi- dealers will special-order a full barrel, but at
cal components needed to put C-4 together in $1,925 per barrel (based on $35 per gallon),
one’s home chemistry lab. The material is few survivors would be interested.
somewhat obscure, expensive, and at times Another likely place to look for nitro-
desperately time-consuming to obtain. On the methane is in hobby shops. Most carry pre-
other. hand, it is reasonably safe to handle and mixed model engine fuel, containing up to 40
can be located if one applies oneself to the task. percent nitromethane. Theoretically, this fuel
Nitromethane (CH3N09)is used in many mixture should activate ammonium nitrate,
organic chemistry laboratories as a washing but my experience using it is mixed at best.
solvent and is found in virtually every college Perhaps if the fuel is fresh and dry, it might
chemistry lab. Industrial firms use it to dissolve work consistently. Yet, in spite of extensive test-
plastics, clean up waxes and fats, and manu- ing, I have not achieved even a 30-percent
facturé numerous chemical-based produicts. success rate using high-concentration model
More commonly, nitromethane is used as a fuel. The problem appears to be the alcohol |
fuel additive. Model-plane enthusiasts mix it which, when mixed with the fuel, pulls mois-
with castor oil and alcohol to power their ture out of the air even when the bottles are
miniature engines. It is also used to fuel small well sealed. :
indoor race cars and go-carts. But the largest A few well-stocked hobby shops carry six- or
group of consumers commonly available to eight-ounce bottles of nitromethane. Most will
survivors is drag racers. It isnot uncommon special-order it by the gallon at considerably
for quarter-milers to burn gallons of this more than $35 per gallon. Model-plane enthu- .
expensive fuel on every run. siasts usually do not use fuel containing more
As a result, the best place to look for nitro- than 15 percent nitromethane because it will
methane is at drag strips and stock-car races, burn up their expensive little engines. So sur-
Often a local petroleum dealer will bring a 55- vivors probably won’t find more than a gallon
gallon barrel of the fuel to the track and sell it or two of the high-concentration, 40-percent
by the gallon to the drivers and mechanics. As fuel even in well-stocked hobby shops. If they
a result, those who can’t afford 55 gallons can do find it, it probably will not work consistently.
buy enough to compete that night. If all else fails, nitromethane can be ordered
In some larger cities, petroleum dealers at extremely high prices from chemical supply
handle the fuel on a limited basis. An hour or houses. Most will sell it to individuals since

O
two on the. phone may uncover a dealer who nitromethane does have a number ofvalid
will sell it by the gallon. Most bulk petroleum “civilian” uses. Check survival magazines for
 Ragnar’s Big Book of Homemade Weapons
—__

addresses or borrow a Fisher or Sigma catalog injecting nitric acid into a high-pressure
from the local high-school chemistry depart- chamber containing superheated methane
ment. It may be possible to locate local indus- gas, a relatively inexpensive process. At tem-
trial or commercial users who are willing to peratures of 400°C the reaction becomes self-
sell a few spare gallons. sustaining. Because its price has decreased so
Officially, nitromethane is categorized as a dramatically, nitromethane is encountered
Class 3 conflagrant, meaning it reacts to open more frequently today as a fuel additive and
flame on about the same level as gasoline. It is inlaboratories.
not highly sensitive to shock. At drag strips, Pure nitromethane is a thin, syrupy, yellow
dealers drop barrels of nitromethane off their liquid. It smells a bit sweet, but the odor is sub-
trucks or roll them around with impunity. tle enough that it is not readily recognized.
They seem little concerned with the conse- Food coloring can be safely added to camou-
quences of rough handling. flage the liquid, if you desire. When lit,
However, nitromethane is moderately toxic if nitromethane burns brightly with consider-
ingested or inhaled. People who have ingested able heat and force until the fuel is consumed.
the material may suffer from nausea, vomiting, In its pure, unmixed form, it has a shelf life of
and/or diarrhea. Heavy or regular ingestion can about four years before moisture destroys it.
result in permanent damage to the kidneys. As with ammonium nitrate, possession of
Nitromethane is about as toxic and explosive as nitromethane is not controlled except per-
leaded gasoline in its original state. haps in isolated local instances. Nitro-
Nitromethane is much less costly today methane can be stored by survivors for rela-
than when it was developed at the turn of this tively long periods in plastic or steel contain-
century. Initially, it was made by reacting ers. If one does not spill large amounts of the
methyl] iodide with silver nitrite. The resulting substance in an unventilated space or suck
product was combined through the Kolbe reac- one’s thumb after using it, nitromethane is
tion method, using chloracetic acid. At the relatively benign. ;
time, nitromethane explosives were consid- The challenge for survivors entails finding
ered effective but far too expensive to merit a source of affordable nitromethane, which
large-scale production. may mean putting a long-term, well-pro-
Today, nitromethane is manufactured by grammed procurement plan into place.

130
 CHAPTER 24

~HOMEMANUFACTURE OF (-

Making homemade C-4 requires one more Compared to manufacturing some other
chemical: denatured ethyl alcohol. This ingre- explosives, producing this C-4 substitute is not
dient is so.common and so safe that no further particularly difficult or dangerous. What dan-
discussion is required—except to emphasize ger does exist comes when combining the
the importance of using fresh alcohol, prefer- materials, which can be done at the last
ably purchased from a paint-supply store. moment immediately preceding actual use.
. Having come this far, most readers will Nevertheless, the procedures are exacting.-
agree that we are dealing with some fairly Those who are untrained in chemistry or who
benign chemicals. Now the trick is to combine are sloppy or careless will not succeed. Now
them in an effective and reasonably safe man- that my warning is complete, let’s begin.
ner. As with most things in life, there isa The first step is to dry the ammonium nitrate
downside. The process is not nearly as simple and keep it dry. Where the humidity is high, this
as one would hope, but it is possible, even for is a difficult to virtually impossible task.
chemists with only high school training, to Start by taking a one-pound coffee can or its
carry it out. equivalent from a freshly opened bag of ammo-
My strong suggestion remains that anyone nium nitrate. The coffee can will hold one-and-
contemplating home manufacture of C-4 one-half to two pounds of prilled ammonium
think through both the process and the conse- nitrate. A one-pound can provides a greater
quences thoroughly before proceeding. The height relative to diameter, which makes the
following procedure yields an extremely pow- volume less dense and aids in its drying. Seal
erful explosive. It dwarfs anything available the unused bag of ammonium nitrate away in
on the commercial market. Even 80-percent . double plastic garbage bags immediately after
Hy-Drive dynamite pales into firecracker class removing the amount needed.
compared to the explosive you may produce. Place the can in an electric oven set at the low-
Those who decide to proceed are also est possible setting and dry in the oven for a min-
reminded that 1) they are probably violating imum of three hours. Be careful that the temper-
federal law, and 2) they should already know ature never goes above 150’ F. (Doing this prop-
how to handle conventional commercial erly will require a good-quality, lab-grade, dial-
explosives competently before attempting this read thermometer available from chemical sup-
procedure. Experimenters should start with " ply firms or catalogs.)

o
i small test batches, remembering that those Ammonium nitrate liquefies at about 170°F
&iJ
who fail to use caution, common sense, and and will blow at about 400°F. Before it
a care could face disastrous results.
ba
ran
ce,
 Ragnar’s Big Book of Homemade Weapons

Scoop out roughly two pounds of the ammonium nitrate prill

into @ one-pound coffee can. (The height relative to the diam-
eter of the one-pound can makes the volume less dense and
aids in drying.) Dry the prill in an oven set at a low tempera-
ture (not to exceed 150°F) for at least three hours, but don’t
let the prill melt. Ammonium nitrate vapors are toxic, so it is
essential that the temperature stays low and the room is well-
ventilated. On completion of the heating cycle, cap the can
immediately and seal in double garbage bags. Even double
sealed, the dried ammonium nitrate will absorb moisture and Place the ammonium nitrate ina glass dish, cover with alco-
can be stored for no more than twelve days. hol, and stir thoroughly for about three minutes.

Measure exactly 250 milliliters of dried ammonium nitrate The alcohol will remove a brown sludge from the
prill. The specific gravity of ammonium nitrate is 1. 725, ammonium
yield- nitrate. As soon as the alcohol tums brown, the proces
ing a sample of 430 grams. s is
completed. Throw the alcohol away,
explodes, it will bubble and smoke, providing
Place about 250 milliliters (about 430
adequate warning to remove it from the heat. grams) of this oven-dried material in an oven-
On completion of the heating cycle, seal proof glass dish. Cover the prill with the type
the dried prill in the coffee can and place it in of denatured ethy] alcohol used to carry mois-
double, sealed plastic bags. At most, this mate-
ture out of gas lines (available from paint and
rial will last ten to twelve days before absorb-
automotive supply houses at about seven
ing too much moisture—even though it is dol-
lars per gallon).
triple-sealed. Always make sure the seals are
Qo Stir this mixture around for about three
zipped and airtight. minutes or until the alcohol turns a mudd
y,

132
Strain the alcohol from the prill and heat gently (I prefer an
electric wok, but you can use a hot plate or stove top). Stir
constantly and use an accurate thermometer to make sure
temperature stays belows 150°F.

To grind the prill, Iuse an electric coffee grinder, but a mortar

and pestle or two boards also work.

Heat for three or four minutes until the alcohol is completely

evaporated.

cloudy brown. Drain off the alcohol by strain-

ing through a seine or screen. Dump the 430-
gram sample back into the dish and gently
heat over low heat. (I use a stainless-steel wok
at the lowest heat setting, but you could also
use your stove top or a hot plate.) Use a ther-
mometer to be certain the sample stays, below
150°F. ; ; :
Grind the prill to a fine talcum-powder consistency.
‘Immediately after the alcohol wash, grind
the prill to avoid moisture absorption. Various
methods can be used to do this. Some sur- (if the prill is not ground finely enough, it
vivors use two flat hardwood boards, a mortar may be necessary to sieve the powder. It is

o
and pestle, or even an electric coffee grinder. hoped this step will be unnecessary. Makers
By whatever means, reduce the prill to talcum- will note that the ammonium nitrate begins to
powder consistency. § ~ wea ; cake and lump from moisture when removed
 Ragnar’s Big Book of Homemade Weapons

Pack the dried, ground ammonium nitrate in an airtight plas-

tic container, such as a pill bottle that will hold about 430
grams of powder and the nitromethane (430-gram charges
Dump the finely ground ammonium nitrate into a solid con- are sufficient for most jobs survivors demand ofan explosive),
tainer immediately after grinding. It is extremely deliquescent Solidly packed charges in rigid containers seem to have more
(moisture-absorbent), so seal it as soon as possible. Note the force than charges held In loosely packed containers. Again,
lumps starting to form immediately after exposure to alr, remember that the container for the ammonium nitrate must
be absolutely airtight.

When combined, the powder blows a few bubbles and then

cakes into a tough plastic substance. The explosive will be
more powerful if the caking process is undisturbed. Combine
the two materials at the blast site asa precautionary measure,

Quickly tamp or pack the powder into a

If the grinding process is not thorough, prill must be strained container. This must be done before the
to remove coarse material. This step should be avoided if pos-
sible because it exposes the ammonium nitrate to moisture for ammonium nitrate begins to reattract mois-
a longer period. ture, so it isn’t always possible to do a thor-
ough job. Preventing moisture absorption is
from the grinder. Sieving only exacerbates this your primary concern, so work quickly.
situation.) When selecting a container, make certain that

134
 Adding powdered aluminum to the ammonium nitrate and
nitromethane mixture produced this nine-inch hole in the
foreground. A similar charge without the aluminum cut the
seven-inch hole highlighted in the upper right corner, A com-
Mix 80 milliliters of nitromethane into the 430 grams of am- parable charge of dynamite merely skins the soft meadow
monium nitrate. The ratio should be approximately one-third ground without leaving a depression.
nitromethane by volume or even two parts nitromethane to
five parts ammonium nitrate by weight. Precise formulas must Although the finished product is doughlike
be determined by trial and error because reactions vary from
sample to sample of nitromethane and ammonium nitrate. and can be put in a plastic bag to mold around
a girder or squash into a crack, it seems to
have considerably more power when packed
tightly in a rigid cylinder. I did not havea
chronograph or any other means of measur-
ing speed of detonation so it is impossible to
make the above claim with certainty. However,
the packed material produced larger holes in
the ground because it apparently cakes better _
with the nitromethane when held tightly ina
rigid configuration.
Whatever container is used, the maker must
know exactly how many grams of ammonium
nitrate it will hold. Also, there appears to be a
minimum amount of powder that can be deto-
nated. With less than 300 grams (about 10
ounces), it is tough to bury the cap thoroughly
and secure a good detonation. :
When deciding on container size and the
Wait about twenty minutes for the nitromethane to soak into amount of ammonium nitrate to use,
the ammonium nitrate. At this point, the material is cap-sen- remember to leave a small space at the top
sitive but does not readily detonate when dropped or shot with of the container for the liquid nitromethane.
@ firearm,
Using the correct amount of nitromethane
it is airtight. Old medicine or spice bottles work to sensitize the ammonium nitrate is much

C
nicely. Some commercial makers use.custom- more critical than one would first suppose. I
made, thin-walled aluminum cylinders that look avoided the need for scales by using metric
much like containers for high-priced cigars. measurements wherein weight and volume
 Ragnar’s Big Book of Homemade Weapons

using specific gravity become identical. the plastic bottle should solve that problem.
Despite almost driving our family into This explosive would not be the first choice
poverty by my many costly experiments, I still for those undertaking underwater demoli-
do not feel I have all of the answers pertain- tions work, but it could be used if no other
ing to this process. My experiments indicate explosive material were available. When
that one should use slightly less than one- mixed, the shelf life seems to be a couple of
third nitromethane by volume, but this seems weeks or more.
to vary from one gallon of nitromethane to At this writing I am not aware of any rea-
the next and from one bag of ammonium son—other than psychological—why this
nitrate to the next. Too much nitromethane material could not be combined and sensi-
will kill the mixture, while too little will not tized ahead of time. Storing the mixed explo-
sufficiently sensitize the ammonium nitrate. sive does not seem any riskier than storing
When dumped on the powdered prill, the commercial dynamite. This mixture may
proper amount of nitromethane will cause deteriorate in time, but my experiments did
the powder to bubble slightly. It is almost as if not indicate this.
there were live clams in the container, blow- Although the combined material seems
ing in the sand after the surf rolls over them. safe to handle, it is definitely exciting when
After about two minutes of soaking, the nitro- detonated with a number six or eight cap.
methane—if the correct amount is added— Commercial dynamite detonated on bare,
will saturate the powder and turn it intoa hard ground will skin it up a bit. This explo-
thick, porridgey mass. Too much nitro will sive will dig six- or seven-inch holes without
produce a grueljthat is too thin to fire. top tamping of any kind.
I used plastic pill bottles that contained T estimate the velocity of detonation to be
about 430 grams (about 11 ounces) of pow- about 21,000 fps or slightly less than TNT,
dered ammonium nitrate, and they produced which detonates at about 22,600 fps. C-4, the
very powerful blasts. A hit from this much explosive benchmark, roars out at an incredi-
explosive is awesome and probably sufficient ble 26,600 feet per second. The additional
to demolish small bridges and trucks, and speed between commercial dynamite at
maybe even to knock tread off a tank. 19,000 fps and C-4 is what cuts steel and shat-
Certainly in groups of two or three fired ters concrete. One is for homeowners, the oth-
together, it would do the job. er for survivors.
To this 430-gram container, I added about Recounting, to make C-4: |
75 to 80 milliliters of pure nitromethane.
Getting just the right amount will require 1. Use fresh NH4NO3.
experimentation. Unfortunately, I know of no . Dry the NH4NO3 in an oven at low heat
formula that states precisely how much (ess than 150°F) for three hours or more.
nitromethane to use. As a rough starting - Wash the NH4N0O3 in alcohol until the
point, try one part nitromethane to three alcohol turns muddy brown.
parts of ammonium nitrate by volume or two ,
- Dump the prill in a metal container and
parts nitromethane to five parts ammonium dry them thoroughly over low heat (less
nitrate by weight. Theoretically, the material than 150°F).
should sensitize in five minutes, but I get bet- - Grind the NH4NO3 as fine as talcum pow-
ter results by waiting twenty minutes. der.
Once the nitromethane is poured into the - Pack a premeasured amount ina rigid air-
ammonium nitrate, there is no need to be tight container. .
overly concerned about moisture getting - Pour in one-third nitromethane by volume.
into the powder. Water would, of course, . Wait twenty minutes.
wash the mash away if it were exposed, but . Shoot with a cap similar to dynamite.
won

136
 Building and Keeping Your Arsenal Secure
i ee ee
c
*: Itis important that all of the steps be that one experiments before goi i :
‘ undertaken carefully and methodically, and field with military objectives a one

137
 CHAPTER 25

THE FINISHED PRODUCT

We stood back about 90 yards from the small NH4N03 + CH3N02 = H20 + C02 + NO2!
11-ounce dab of explosive as the fuze slowly As a practical explosive, this material
burnt its way down to the cap, In our experi- seems ideal, Two shots fired from a high-pow-
ence, 90 yards was more than sufficient to pro- er rifle do not tell the entire story, but smack-
tect us from such a small amount of explosive. ing the explosive with my .223 at 45 yards did
My many failed experiments with this mate- not produce a detonation. To further test its
rial had left me uncertain as to whether we had sensitivity, I set a batch aside for a week. Then
anything more than another dud. The moun- I threw it down a rocky ledge and later burned
tain meadow behind my cabin was strewn with it on a bed of logs without any apparent
ruptured plastic containers, left by dynamite effect. Even the burning itself was not particu-
caps that failed to detonate the explosives. larly notable.
This time when the detonation hit, it was: This explosive is remarkably similar to gen-
spectacular. A successful blast at last! The last uine C-4—particularly in its stability—but it
time I experienced anything similar, I was fir- ' lacks one of C-4’s more desirable attributes.
ing LAW rockets at Fort Benning, Georgia. I The brisance of this improvised C-4 was not as
vividly remember when the concussion from great as that of the genuine article. It wasn’t
the three-pound warhead thumped us, even at off much, but the last 5,000 fps might mean
200 meters. I also remember a similar reaction the difference between a good and an excel-
while running through the army’s live-fire lent explosive. Boosting this material into the
tank-commander school south of Boise, Idaho. C-4 class became my goal once the secret of
Although I lacked sophisticated test equip- consistent manufacture was in hand.
ment to measure its impact, the explosion The tip-off to a possible solution came while I
undoubtedly had sufficient brisance to cut was researching World War I's Messines Ridge
steel and shatter reinforced concrete. Several sapper attack. Messines Ridge was the only
observers with military experience agreed that actual trench-warfare offensive sapper action
the homemade C-4 was formidable. during a war that was fought almost entirely as
The afterglow from my original success a set-piece contest. After 18 months of prepara-
kept me going when my next few attempts tion, the nine tunnels filled with almost one mil-
turned out to be duds because my ammonium lion pounds of explosives were detonated on
nitrate had become water-soaked. I blew my June 7, 1917. The resulting blast was heard by
materials budget, but eventually the results British Prime Minister David Lloyd George from
became consistent. The process produces the his home in London 200 miles away.
following reaction: Britain’s World War I explosives manufac-

139
 Ragnar’s Big Book of Homemade Weapons

Detonation of 11 ounces 5 of the homemade C:4 produces an

impressive explosion. Experienced powder monkeys who wit-
nessed the explosion agreed that this material is much faster
than commercially available explosives. Quickly and thoroughly mix the powdered aluminum into the
aluminum nitrate prill before adding the liquid nitromethane.

O
the nitromethane. At a level of about 5 percent
(or about 20 grams) mixed thoroughly into 430
grams of NH4NO3, the effect was dramatic.
Instead of seven-inch holes in the earth, I was
gouging out nine-inch craters with less than
three-fourths of apound of explosive! Fine-
ground aluminum powder is available from
well-stocked.paint stores and chemical supply
houses, but the best place to buy it is from an
automotive-parts shop. It is used to plug leaky
radiators and is sold in 21-gram tubes.
The detonation speed of the homemade C-4 is about 21,000 Some aluminum powder is too coarse to
feet per second (fps), much faster than commercial dynamite
but slower than TNT. The addition of finely powdered alu- enter into the detonation reaction. But most
minum will boost the detonation speed nearer to that of gen- samples are finely ground and, for the price,
uine C-4, i , work quite well (about $13.85 per pound).
Purists can obtain very finely ground alu-
turers added finely ground aluminum powder minum flakes from chemical supply houses if
to this explosive, called ammonal, to boost its use of this relatively expensive (from $30 to
brisance. Ammonal] was used because two $40 per pound) material seems warranted.
years of protracted warfare had consumed vir- . Theoretically, it would be advantageous
tually all of Britain’s conventional explosives. to pack the explosive in small plastic bags
It was manufactured using 72 percent ammo- that could be molded around a piece of steel
nium nitrate, 12 percent TNT, and 16 percent or other object that one wished to cut. What
finely ground aluminum powder. scant printed information is available on
Having made that discovery, I began to this explosive suggests that the material
experiment with powdered aluminum. I added it should remain undisturbed and unmixed
to the ground ammonium nitrate before adding after the addition of the nitromethane.
 Without careful, controlled testing, we do the charge should then be ready to do its work.
not know if the combined materials become Although this process is not unduly threat-
dangerously sensitive after mixing. So asa ening to those who have handled explosives, it
precaution, take to the blast site carefully pre- is an exacting and mostly untested one. Those
measured amounts of aluminum powder in who do-not carefully follow all instructions
small sealed tubes and similar containers of should expect dangerous or poor results. Those
premeasured nitromethane to pour into the who proceed with intelligence, caution, and
powder. Inserting the cap and placing the diligence can expect to produce an explosive
charge should take about twenty minutes, and that will make despots tremble in their boots.

141
 CHAPTER 26.

—CONCLLSION
Other materials exist that can be com- Express, or parcel post. So home chemists must
bined with ammonium nitrate to produce drive hundreds of miles to pick it up personally -
high-grade explosives. Some quite powerful or pay trucking charges of up to $25 or more
ones aren’t as deliquescent as nitromethane, per shipment.
giving the impression that they might be It is quite possible that three pounds of fin-
more desirable than nitromethane. One for- ished explosive using hydrazine could cost
mula that is currently making the rounds $150 or more. When combined, the resulting
among survivors involves mixing two parts of liquid is extremely corrosive, toxic, and shock-
NH4NO3 with one part hydrazine, The result- sensitive. I know of no storage container that
ing liquids reportedly make up the most pow- would hold the material. It can’t be metallic
erful chemical explosive known to man— and, if a glass jar ever broke or spilled, cleanup
short of an actual atomic reaction. might assume catastrophic proportions.
An almost insurmountable problem with As a result, it doesn’t take a Phi Beta Kappa
this explosive is the fact that anhydrous in chemistry to conclude that the ammonium
hydrazine is extremely corrosive and therefore nitrate/nitromethane mixture is superior for
desperately difficult to handle. It will blister an survivors’ purposes—despite a slightly dimin-
animal’s lungs with just one diluted whiff. ished brisance. In addition, hydrazine prod-
Professional industrial chemists use moon ucts require the use of sophisticated laboratory
suits, respirators, and supplemental air sup- equipment not usually available to survivors.
plies and still are very reluctant to do any Buying this equipment could make the overall
more than a minimum amount of work with cost of the project prohibitively expensive for
this chemical. Eventually it will eat through most budgets.
virtually anything metallic, making it almost For the process recommended in these
impossible for survivors to store it at home. pages, one.needs only common household
Unvented hydrazine fumes kill very cruelly in items: a set of ovenproof glass dishes; a stan-
a matter of seconds. ; dard measuring cup; a standard probe ther-
As a result, the material is almost impossi- mometer; a coffee grinder; an electric wok;
ble to ship. Most carriers justifiably do not and a tea sieve. There is no need for extra-
want to handie it, and partly as a result, it is large glass beakers to handle the reacting
also extremely expensive to purchase. It usu- chemicals, lab-accurate stainless thermome-
ally costs about $100 per pound, but that does

OC
’ ters, ice baths, air-evacuation equipment, or
not include shipping. Furthermore, it cannot moon suits and respirators.
be sent by United Parcel Service, Federal After nitromethane and ammonium nitrate

143
 Ragnar’s Big Book of Homemade Weapons

are combined, the mixture is reasonably safe

and can be handled by most people, whereas
hydrazine is too unstable to carry around or
combine at the job site. Fumes from the reac-
tion could poison everything downwind for
several hundred meters. It also might arouse
people’s suspicions to see survivors running
around in moon suits and respirators.
Other formulas for making C-4 substitutes
abound, such as mixing pure nitric acid with
glycerin to yield nitroglycerine. Nitric acid is
obtainable and can be handled by amateur
chemists, but it is somewhat risky.
' Homemade nitroglycerine must be washed
and purified to an extent that taxes the skills
of sometimes chemists. Impure nitroglycerine
grows increasingly sensitive on the shelf until
simply moving the container could cause pre- People unfamiliar with commercial explosives should not
mature detonation. After my reading through attempt to make C-4 at home. Use standard commercial caps
detailed manufacturing instructions, it was to detonate the charge.
easy to conclude that this process is unneces-
sarily difficult and dangerous. Note: Readers will note that throughout
In summary, the explosive made by mixing this discussion I have assumed the use of com-
ammonium nitrate with nitromethane seems to mercial safety fuze and caps or standard elec-
possess all of the desirable characteristics of high- trically fired dynamite caps. This book
grade military explosives that are otherwise assumes that makers already know enough
unavailable to survivors. The process has few dis- about explosives to know where to purchase
advantages that I have been able to identify. the necessary caps and fuze.

i'

144

a
 CHAPTER 27

BACKGROUND.

Arles is located in southeast France on the ’ had a new secret weapon. Traditionally, caul-
west bank of the Rhone River about twenty drons of hot water and oil were placed on the
miles inland from the Mediterranean coast. It wall to be poured on the hapless attackers
is located in Bouches-du-Rhone Provence in below. Piles and piles of man-killing boulders
France. Few people today attribute strategic stored in wicker baskets were hoisted to the
importance to the place. catwalks. Battle axes and lances were dis-
Residents there learned early on to resist tributed to those too poor to afford their own
their enemies fiercely, but, when the time
came, to throw in the towel quickly, as appro-
priate when facing insurmountable odds.
weapons. But this time, the defenders also
received a new weapon that invigorated and
enthused their efforts.
O
Because ofits proud, independent, wealthy ' During the last few years traders from
inhabitants, armies from the city-states in Spain provided Arles merchants with a dirt-
Spain, Italy, and even from the French monar- brown, vile-smelling powder that, when
chy took any opportunity they could to occupy exposed to an open flame, hissed and flashed
Arles so they could tax its wealthy merchants. : in a “most hideous manner.” Quantities of the
Ever-present antagonism from jealous powder burned rapidly, producing copious
neighbors—along with commerce and trav- smoke and a loud thump if contained in a clay
el—tends to produce a class of people who are jar or skin pouch. Traders claimed firsthand
usually first in their area to know of any knowledge that the material could be benefi-
weapons.innovations, and traders’ wealth cre- cial in fighting an enemy, such as throwing
ates opportunities to purchase this new tech- rocks on him, scaring his horses, or even burn-
nology for the defense oftheir land. Entre- ing him badly. ,
preneurial people generally have both the At great cost the men of Arles secured their
wealth and ambition to survive. first sample of the powder from the surly, diffi-
All this notwithstanding, citizens and mer- cult Arab traders who traded in their bazaar.
cenaries defending Arles watched in horror as Eventually, they learned that by mixing two
Soldiers of the king formed up around their parts of willow charcoal with six parts salt-
walls in late April 1536 a.v. Obviously no peter and one part quick sulfur, they could
crops would be raised on the common, and lit- manufacture their own ignis volans. Monks
tle trading would be done that year. perfected the mixture on the condition that it
be used to fight only infidels. It was amazing

©
However, there was cause for hope for the
people of Arles. Rather than simply perching how rapidly this classification of person
Stoically behind their rock walls, the defenders changed under duress.
 Ragnar’s Big Book of Homemade Weapons

Sulfur for the powder came from a mine in tackers who had never experienced anything
@ Spain. Willow charcoal was easily manufac- like them before.
tured from the many trees along the Rhone. For days on end the king’s men bravely
Producing saltpeter from water leached stormed Arles’ walls only to be repulsed repeat-
through baskets of chicken manure proved to edly by the defenders using the hellish devices.
be little problem to the budding chemists. Some of the attacking soldiers developed severe
At first, the defenders intended 'to use their infections from the strange wounds they suf-
secret weapon to shoot rocketlike devices into fered below the wall. When fall rains came, the
the enemy’s ranks. They tried this but had king took his thin, tired little army and headed
only limited success at the cost of great con- back to Lyons. Arles was delivered, and the
sumption of precious brown powder. At the action become what historians note as the first
encouragement of the professional soldiers, “effective” use of hand grenades.
local boys secured some of the material to play One can question the use of the word
with. A few capsulized the primitive powder in “effective” and, of course, whether this was
clay pots and began to throw it around with a actually the first use of hand grenades. Even
slow match attached for sport. After two small as early as the seventh century a.p., Greek
girls were hurt in an incident, local military Byzantine and Arab armies used a mixture
planners concluded that perhaps the boys of tallow, pitch, and sulfur to producea
might have stumbled onto something. material that contemporary commentators
Dense, white clay was brought in from claimed would burn under water. Questions
riverbank cuts 50 miles upstream. Potters of subsurface combustion notwithstanding,
shaped the clay into thick-walled, loaf-shaped the material was effective when used against
receptacles having a hollow inner chamber. A any type of fortification composed of com-
small access hole allowed the device to be bustible material. Europeans called the
@ii:: with small stones mixed with powder. incendiary mixture “Greek fire,” or in some
Loaded, the bombs weighed between 3 1/2 cases “Byzantine fire.”
and 5 pounds. Some shattered. when tossed Even 700 years later at Arles, it is difficult
from the wall, but most remained intact, to imagine the tough circumstances under
bursting nicely when the attached slow match which a grenade thrower of that era must
smoldered into the powder. have operated. Fuzes were obstinate and
When used in large numbers, the device uncertain. Even when the device landed near
seemed ideal to discourage attackers from tak- an enemy and went off on schedule, it often
ing up offensive positions in the ditch below the was ineffective. Damp weather often killed
wall. Some of the devices detonated premature- the explosives in the grenade and, at Arles,
ly in the hands of the users; others failed to go the defenders even ran low on suitable peb-
off or were thrown back by the attackers, These bles to put in the bombs.
grenades were far from During the re-
SLOW MATCH FUZE
perfect, but they HEAVY CLAY POTTERY BODY mainder of the six-
worked well on at- teenth century and
SMALLER RIVER BOTTOM GRAVEL
MIXED WITH BLACK POWDER GIVES on into the seven-
SHRAPNEL EFFECT teenth, relatively
FILLER HOLE PLUGGED AFTER
great strides were
STONES AND EXPLOSIVES WERE made by designers
INSTALLED of hand grenades.
By the start of the
Early clay body grenade of the type seventeenth cen-
first used at Arles, France, in 1536 ap. tury, European
armies commonly

148
Building and Keeping Your Arsenal Secure

Early cast-iron
FUZE HOLE pace. Many grenades of the era were designed
ie used by Pad THROWING _ to be thrown by means of a short rope tail.
grenadiers. Grenadier companies were useful as long as
wars were fought from fixed emplacements. Use
of hand grenades faded from the scene in lock-
step with castles, moats, and siege warfare in
general. By the middle of the nineteenth centu-
ry, hand grenades were seldom used except in
POWDER strictly defensive positions. When they were
EXPLOSIVE deployed, soldiers improvised by throwing out
3- and 6-pound howitzer projectiles. Cus-
tomarily, these rounds were fuzed when the
used hand-delivered explosive devices made piece was fired. They were really nothing more
of rough case iron or, in some cases, brass. than simple fuzed bombs lit and propelled by
The finished product was more like a bomb hand rather than a propellant charge.
as opposed to today’s traditional small, A British armorer writing in 1887 said of
light, easily thrown hand grénades: Some of © grenades that “they are used chiefly for the
these first grenades weighed up to 18 pounds defence of places against assault, being
fully loaded. The cast-iron shell produced thrown by hand for 20 or 30 meters. However,
some shrapnel effect, but not nearly to the hand grenades are now rarely demanded.
extentofmodern hand grenades containing When men are using them, they should be
high explos ives. - :
:worked best cautioned not to retain the grenade toolongin -
Obviously such a monstrosity their hands.” This is probably the origin of the
when dropped from a wall or when rolled into term “military intelligence.”
a fortification. Horizontal throwing distances -. After languishing in obscurity for 150
were a short, putlike 20 to 30 feet. Fortunately years, hand grenades leapt back into popular-
the powder was fairly wimpy, or the device ity again during the Russo-Japanese War of
could have endangered its delivery system. 1904. Asa result, the world’s armies again
Perhaps because of their proximity to took note of hand grenades till today any
Arles, Spanish military armorers did most of frontline unit can be expected to use them in
the early development work on hand large numbers. .
grenades. Their designs looked much like Many of the exact details are lost in the fog
pomegranates, which in Spanish are called of history, but apparently an especi ally ambi-
“granadas.” Naturally the explosive devices tious Japanese soldier grew tired of sitting in
soon became known as granadas and ulti- his foxhole at Port Arthur within a stone’s
mately grenades, It wasn’t much of a leap to throw of the Russian army. He whiled his days
grenadiers, soldiers whose job it was to throw
away concocting lethal firecrackers to drop on
metal powder-filled pomegranates. the Russians’ heads. By using newer high
Grenadiers, with their distinctive uniforms explosives such as TNT and picric acid, he was
and special hats, became the elite soldiers of able to inflict some very real damage. Better
Europe during the seventeenth and eighteenth
explosives allowed him to decrease the weight
centuries. Grenadiers marched to war carrying of his device to between one and two pounds.
large battle axes that they used to hack Instead of inaccurately lobbing the grenade a
through walls and fortifications, allowing bet-
relatively short distance, the Japanese GI was
ter placement of the grenades. Black powder
became slightly more powerful and light years _ able to accurately deliver the bombs out to one
hundred feet or more, killing or maiming the
ahead in consistency. Fuzes also were made a
bit more reliable, but that being accomplished,
hand grenades again evolved at a turtlelike
Russian enemy.
Given the fact that the Japanese were the a
149
 Ragnar’s Big Book of Homemade Weapons

Qn: of modern hand grenade technology,

it is not surprising to learn that they perfected
tactics to accompany their weapons,
Literally millions and millions of hand
grenades were manufactured and expended CAST IRON
during World War I. With the advent of com- SEGMENTED BODY
monly available, lighter, more powerful high
explosives, grenades were easier to use, more
accurate, and more lethal at greater range. RINGED SPLIT PIN
All this did not happen overnight. When
Australian and New Zealand troops landed on
Gallipoli in 1915, there were so few hand
grenades available that the soldiers immedi-
ately set to work making their own. They used BASE CLOSING
old beef tins, jam jars, and canteens to make PLUG
portable bombs. Most were capped and fuzed,
similar to common commercial explosives.
Gamely, these men threw their bombs uphill
at the Turks, who simply stood aside allowing
the ordnance to roll back downhill onto the
original owners.
FILLING
HOLE
Although the men on Gallipoli never profit- STRIKER
ed from it, help was on the way. In the United
ingdom, William Mills invented and patent-
d a hand grenade that even 65 years later
would look familiar to the average Gl. His DETONATOR
patent, issued on September 16, 1915, was for
a cast-iron device with segmented body and BURSTING STRIKER SPRING
an internal cap that activated a 4-second fuze. CHARGE
The fuze was lit when the pin was pulled, STRIKER LEVER
allowing a retaining spoon to fly away, which
thus dropped a striker. : CAP
By the end of 1915, 800,000 were being pro-
duced per week in the United Kingdom.
“Grenade Hand No. 5,” as this Mills bomb was SAFETY FUZE
called, stayed in production till the end of the
war. More than 33 million were eventually
manufactured and thrown at the Germans.
In mid-1916 a variation of the Mills bomb, Developed in 1915, the Mills number 5 hand grenade, better
known as the Mills bomb, was the first modern British
called the “Grenade, Hand or Rifle, No. 23,” grenade.
came on the scene. This design took advan-
tage of better, faster manufacturing tech-

eo’ World War I Enfield Rifle fitted with number 23 Mills grenade.

150
 Building and Keeping Your Arsenal Secure
niques, making it
cheaper to pro-
entailed producing a grenade that would not
deteriorate in hot, humid climates. This
©
duce and slightly grenade was designated a Model 36M. “M” in
more powerful this case stood for “Mesopotamia,” which
than its predeces- apparently exemplified a hot, humid, diffi-
sors. However, its cult place to the English.
principal advan- The function of the pineapple serrations
tage was the fact cast into the body of the Mills grenade was the
that the grenade subject of heated discussions during the 1920s.
could be either Not until the advent of spark photography
_rifle-propelled or and telephoto lenses did debate gave way to
hand-delivered. certain knowledge. High-speed photos showed -
Europeans did that the grenade shattered at random rather
not go further than along the serrations. Later, the inventor
and attempt to asserted that the serrations actually assisted
create a bomb the user, who was often forced to lob the device
with muddy, slick hands. .
similar to the
Japanese gre- German armorers certainly were not oblivi-
Mills number 36 grenade with the
nade that could ous to developments during the Russo-
gas check plate that allowed it to
,
be fired from a rifle discharge cup. function as a Japanese War. However, they chose to take a
hand grenade, simpler, more direct approach that for a time
confused Western armorers. :
rifle grenade, or mortar bomb. At the start of both world wars, the
Rifle grenades had been used in medieval Germans used stick grenades. With practice,
-
Europe as well. In ‘the seventeenth and eigh stick grenades can be thrown farther, more
called
teenth centuries, grenadiers were often easily and accurately, and they are definitely
the oppo sing
on to shoot their grenades into cheaper and easier to manufacture. German
ranks, Usually they used a standard-issue mus- stick grenades were little more than a smal
l tin
me
ket, the grenade being held in an iron fra canister of high explosives atta ched to a hol-
n the
attached to a rod that was dropped dow low wooden handle. U.S. and Brit
ish GIs
fact that gre-
barrel of the musket. Given the referred to them as potato mashers.
for |
nadiers had been a major offensive force Inside the wooden handle, a string attached
re dis-
more than two hundred years and beof to a friction device lighted a short fuze
when
not
appearing they became light artillery, it is pulled. Stick grenades generally prov ided the
risi ng that the Engl ish put a high prio rity
surp one must
user with four to five seconds before
on rifle grenades.
More than 29 million
of the new, improved AG THROW AWAY HANDLE CAP -
rifle-adaptable Mode,l 36
Mills bombs were used
during World War I. As
the war ground on, addi- PULL CORD
- tional small changes
were made in the Model
36’s design, allowing for
even faster, cheaper
manufacture of amore
reliable product. One German World War II stick grenade.
significant change
 Ragnar’s Big Book of Homemade Weapons
TT
SS

Japan, Italy, Czechoslovakia, Hungary, and

SCREW THREADS LINK the Soviet Union, all came out with similar
SEVERAL GRENADES
TOGETHER fuze-light stick grenade designs. (Survivors
may wish to make their own stick grenades.
Instructions follow in Chapter 28.)
180 GRAMS EXPLOSIVE Hungary has the distinction of being the
FILLER only country in the world currently manufac-
turing modern stick grenades. Hungarian
armorers designate their device as an M-42.
4-SECOND DELAY FUZE AND M-42s are unique in that several devices can
DETONATING CAP be locked together to form a single, more
potent demolition charge.
Chinese stick grenades are still encountered
ABRASIVE CERAMIC PLUG
LIGHTS FUZE
from time to time throughout the world, prin-
Ccipally because millions upon millions were
WOODEN HANDLE manufactured and exported. Until the last of
these is actually thrown at someone they will
SPRINGS RETAIN probably keep turning up from time to time.
MECHANISM TILL PIN IS Common designations that may be encoun-
PULLED ALLOWING
CERAMIC DISK TO LIGHT tered include the Type 42, Type 33 (which is
FUZE really not a stick grenade, but rather one hav-
ing an unusually long fuze handle), anda
venerable old war horse called the Type 1.
RIAA? These designs are almost identical to obso-
Hungarian M42 stick
grenade. lete Soviet models. Because nothing, especially
armaments, are ever thrown out in socialist
armies, one may encounter all sorts of odd,
present it to the new owner. Tying a string to obsolete hand grenades,
an abrasive ball that scratched a match not As of this writing, virtually every country in
only was simpler and cheaper than a mouse- the world uses some sort of egg grenade with a
trap design, the grenade was also stealthier, as flip-spoon, detonating-cap, fuze-lighting sys-
the recipient could not easily hear the audible tem. Hand grenades as we know them were
pop of the cap starting the fuze. perfected during World War II. Basic egg
British armorers developed a similar-look- designs won out over all others because of
ing device in 1908. But the British grenade had their effectiveness in actual field use. No accu-
an impact-detonating cap rather thana rate estimates are available regarding the
delayed-action fuze. If the user threw the number produced and expended, but some
grenade so that it landed on its knob and deto- guesses run as high as half a billion.
nated, and if the user didn’t strike it on the side Trends today are definitely toward smaller,
of the trench accidentally, all was well. British lighter, more easily thrown models, and most
soldiers who reared back to throw the 1908 no longer are manufactured with cast-iron
model had extremely short lives, bodies. Modern grenades adhere closely to the
Some two million British point-detonating design of the U.S. M-61. Bodies of the M-61 are
stick grenades were made before the generals manufactured of thin steel sheeting contain-
noted a reduction in ranks because of sloppy ing a component material that capsulizes a
backhanding. However, one must not con- tightly coiled spring. The spring in this case is
clude that the stick design was the problem precision-notched so that it will blow apart in
since many other nations, including China, precisely predetermined segments. Each seg-

152
 GASKET

FUZE M217

MARKED IMPACT ON
FLAT PORTION ON

PRIMER CAP

FUZE BODY STRIKER

ba
O
FUZE HOLDER SPRING

DELAY STRIKER
COLUMN

DETONATOR
CASE LEVER

NOTCHED DETONATOR
WIRE COIL
MAX
3.07
UPPER BOD
OVERALL
MAX
3.81 (TIN PLATE)
LOWER BODY
(TIN PLATE)
bIsc RD COMPOSITION
CLOSING CAP

Standard-issue U.S. M61 delay-fragmentation hand grenade. Current-issue British L2A2 antipersonnel hand grenade,

ment is calculated to do maximum possible ticity is one of your goals, you'll choose egg-
damage. Modern grenades consistently deto- shaped pull-pin grenades rather than cheaper,
nate and produce casualties among those 5 easier scratch models.) i
meters or less from the blast. By the end of the World War II, hand
All modern grenades have a mousetrap grenades, to an extent, had dropped into
design used to pop a cap igniting a fuze after obscurity again. But this time the obscurity
the grenade leaves the user’s hand. (For sur- was different than during the late Middle
vivors, these designs may be needlessly com- Ages. This present-day lack of emphasison
plex, but that is a matter of opinion. If authen- grenades stems from the assumption that
 Ragnar’s Big Book of Homemade Weapons

everyone has them and everyone knows how nades, if any, will be related to the increases in
to use them, Simple, easy-to-use, commonly power of the explosive filler. Fuzes may
available hand grenades are among the every- become simpler and easier to manufacture,
day working tools of the average grunt. Only a and the fragmentation body may benefit from
few hours are spent on grenades during basic better design. All this will undoubtedly lead to
training. After that, everyone is assumed to a world where tens of millions of hand
know how to use them. In that regard, they’ grenades are pumped out by giant machines
have become like helmets. No special empha- ‘that produce them for a few cents each. In the
sis is given to them. meantime, survivors will find them easy to
Any future improvements in hand gre- make and fun to play around with.

154
 -—[SROPHOMEBUILT HAND GRENADES
- CHAPTER 28

- As with construction of virtually all of the dynamite and homemade chlorate powder
large-bore ordnance described in this book, mixed with Vaseline is similarly lacking in
making hand grenades is both very dangerous explosive thump. :
and very illegal. Only those who are cautious- Sixty- and 80-percent commercial dyna-
‘ly comfortable around military and commer- mite is also borderline in my opinion. What is
es. cial explosives should even consider fooling needed is a superfast, military-grade C-4-like
we; around with devices described herein. filler. Binary C-4, as outlined in Part 5, is ideal.
=° However, hand-grenade outlines in the fol- I guarantee the average survivor will be
lowing chapters contain a number of unique pleased with the results. As an added benefit,
safety features that even military models don’t users need not create the explosive until short-
have. Detonating devices can be installed at ly before the exact time of need, perhaps only
" virtually the last moment before use, and after the trigger mechanism is safely secured
‘explosives are binary mixtures as safe as any in place.
_ explosive can possibly be. Nevertheless, care- Possession of the homemade C-4 secret is an
- less, foolish, or ignorant makers can easily incredible advantage in many regards for the
blow themselves off the face of the Earth. home builder ofall explosives ordnance. It is
<*- Perhaps hand grenades are illegal in part difficult to overemphasize the power this knowl-
ge.” because they are effective as well as cheap and edge places in the hands of any average citizen.
: easy to manufacture. Given these attributes, it James Poden, a close friend and exchange:
is little wonder that politicians are fearful of worker when I was still on the farm in my early
them. Politicians and especially bureaucrats adulthood, was old enough that he was award-
do not seem to want independent-minded peo- ed an all-expense-paid excursion to the South
ple running around with these little, easily Pacific, courtesy of Uncle Sam. Because Jim
concealed destructive devices. was a much-experienced midwest coon and
~ *. Qne of the most pervasive problems that possum hunter, familiar with and unafraid of
g*- hand-grenade makers must face is that of the night, he was often asked to lead three-
mu: finding suitable military-grade explosives. man patrols into no-man's-land to act as com-
Until recently, this roadblock has been virtual- pany scout or to take the most forward listen-
ly insurmountable. Black powder often will ing post when his outfit was on line.
not detonate with sufficient enthusiasm to Poden often explained to us that the enemy
Tupture even the cast-iron tube of the device, tried to infiltrate their line almost every unusu-
much less send shrapnel out in a lethal pat- ally dark night. When they did so, he put his
tern. A combination of commercial 40-percent rifle aside, using either his pistol as a last

155
 Ragnar’s Big Book of Homemade Weapons

resort or preferably copious numbers of arrives to use them, they can be transported
grenades. Firearms, he said, betrayed his posi- from one place to another easily and safely.
tion, creating a volley of instantly well-aimed They are useful for destroying bridges and
return fire. walls, closing roads and trails, taking out large
Every time he fired his rifle, he quickly dis- military-type vehicles, and cutting through
covered, his approximate location and—more emplacements and roadblocks. And as an
‘important—his presence were instantly known added bonus, we can have great fun building
to the enemy, From then on, he could expect and testing them. Use them in old car bodies,
random rifle fire, crawling infiltrators, and in water for fishing, and just to shake things
perhaps even a mortar round or two. up in the dark of night. i
Hand grenades, on the other hand, lobbed Now before the need arises, survivors’
out 100 feet ahead never betrayed his posi- should give serious consideration to locating
tion, while effectively clearing the area of his ideal places from which hand grenades might
skilled creeping antagonists. Poden built be deployed. They should also formulate defi-
quite a reputation among his peers, both as nite, hard-and-fast rules of engagement. It is
an effective soldier and as one who kept too late after the Bad Guys start to advance.
everyone else awake at night with his ran- They may overrun your retreat while you hesi-
dom grenade discharges. Poden also claimed tate, trying to decide if this is actually the time
he was able to smell enemy soldiers as they to deploy the arsenal.
advanced on him. Because the example grenade is more ofa
It is easy to envision similar situations hand-delivered bomb than a light grenade, one
wherein survivors desperately need high-pow- could easily kill or maim oneself when it goes
ered, portable explosive devices. Survivors off. Users should develop places from which the
may even be in much the same circumstances bomb can be deployed safely (for the user).
as those in which Poden found himself. Hand These could include paths or roads along
grenades, deployed wisely, force the bad guys which intruders must travel to one’s retreat and
to keep their distance and can be deployed day from which grenades could be rolled or dropped
or night. Production is relatively cheap and from sufficient distance to be safe for the user.
easy, especially if one uses scrounged bits and Some discharge locations might be located ina
pieces toa great extent. convenient fold in the ground, behind a gentle
Average survivors should plan to lay back rise, or in another similar location.
at least twenty to thirty grenades. This can It is also important that makers experiment
be a most difficult endeavor if it costs more until they know the exact extent of the dam-
than $8 to $10 to construct each one. age done by one or more of their devices. I
Scrounged components cost only the time it would not, for instance, discharge one of these
takes to find the pieces—often they end up heavy models on flat ground where I threw it
being virtually free. and count on the distance between it and me
No matter what the cost, prudent survivors for protection. Should it be necessary to deploy
had best plan to pay it. Improvised, expedient a heavy grenade on flat ground, I would want
booby traps are made a hundred times faster at least 250 feet, a big tree, or a small hill sepa-
and easier when one has a ready supply of rating me from the device.
powerful grenades. No civilians and few mili- Of course, one can construct smaller, kinder,
tary people will come tripping arbitrarily and gentler grenades that can be thrown far-
across one’s property if they suspect that hand- ther and which have a smaller blast radius. I
grenade booby traps are present. do not care for them, as the detonators are
Often just a rumor of the presence of hand more difficult to build and less reliable.
grenades is sufficient to keep unwanted visi- These little true hand grenades are trig-
tors at a distance. Yet if the time actually gered identically to their big brothers but con-

156
‘tain only about six ouncesofC-4 instead of
If I have a misfire, | wait two days and
then take two dry logs, carefully place them
Jose to a pound in the big “2” model. 1 have
of our next.to the device, throw a quart of kerosene
‘found that as little as half a pound
: home-brewed C-4 gives the user a severe wind on the whole mess, and light it. Never, under
hock at 50 feet when shot out on the hard, dry any circumstances, handle or attempt to dis-
assemble a dud. Don’t even move it or try to
, ground. But big is still better in this case. i .
Because a cast-iron pipe will be shattered pick it up.
- into hundreds oflethal shards, it is always - In summary, the rules of hand grenade
ses- deployment are simple. These devices are dan-
. best to assume the worst during a practice
gerous and illegal. They are also simple to make
sion and to-back way off—even if the loading
is relatively light. My favorite exercise is to:
at home, and they are extremely effective.
Develop a definite plan of action for their
throw grenades 50 feet downhill into a deep
ravine. Shreddéd weeds, bits of bark, leaves,
deployment and set off numerous practice
and brush are thrown about, but nothing rounds to learn how they work best before you
must rely on them.
more dangerous results from the blast.
 CHAPTER 29 or
ee
S

HOME CONSTRUCTION OF HAND GRENADES» e

eee
3

e
ag
2
,

Given the fact that many survivors and well as personnel protected by ballistic shields
large-bore military hobbyists will wanta and other devices. The downside is that the
generous supply of hand grenades, they device cannot possibly be thrown far enough
must make two basic decisions: how largea on level ground so as not to endanger unpro-
device to deploy and what type of fuze to use tected users.
on the monster. The next decision involves selection of the
: As a practical matter, 1 to 2 inches is maxi- detonating assembly. Realistically there are two
um
é @:: pipe for a grenade. Anything bigger than 2- fuze designs that work for home grenades. Both
is needlessly costly and difficult, as start with the same 2-inch diameter by 5-inch
- ell as being far too large to carry, conceal, long piece of common pipe. Many hundreds, if
*. and deploy. Pipe larger than 2 inch, along not thousands, of fuze types can be designed by STA
BRT
cco
tba
pie
benla
te
sp
OT
=nn
with required fittings, is difficult to find in clever builders. Those listed are ones that I have
most plumbing supply houses. Five-inch hand found to be simplest and most reliable—the two
grenades made from 1-inch pipe will load basic criteria for homemade grenade.
about 6 ounces of homemade C-4. That is Proceed as follows: secure two solid end
. enough to do incredible damage, especially caps for the segment of pipe intended for the
inside a car or truck, closed military vehicle, or hand grenade body. Using 2-inch diameter
in a foxhole-type hiding place. Devices made pipe is much easier the first time around.
with pipe smaller than one inch are tricky to Securely screw one of the caps onto the pipe
fuze and may not be worth the effort in terms segment. Use a pipe wrench if necessary, but
of firepower and reliability. tighten the one cap on as permanently as pos-
A 11/2-inch pipe 5 inches long contains sible. Using a steel straightedge, find the exact
about 9 ounces of explosive. Two-inch diameter center of the second cap. Drill a 1/4-inch hole
Pipe S inches long deploys a full pound of C-4. through cap number two.
Anything bigger is simply too big to carry and Standard commercial dynamite fuze burns
use. Grenade bodies can be made longer (or at rates from 2 to 4 seconds per inch. Test the
shorter) than 5 inches, but again 5-inch sizes fuze carefully by burning several short pieces.
have proven most efficient in actual field trials. Time the burn rates accurately because this
Defensive users will get relatively few determines how long a fuze should be for a rel-
chances to use their hand grenades. This is atively safe hand grenade. If you find the rate
f' Another reason I favor bigger sizes that do the to be from 2 to 4 seconds per inch, use 2 to 3
ob the first time. Full-pound models work inches of fuze. Since recipients of the hand
revs: better against cars and trucks, as grenade are unlikely to realize what you are

159
Hand grenades can be made out of I-, 1 1/2-, and 2-inch
pipe fittings. Basically, all that is required are a S-inch nipple
and two end caps. A 2-inch assembly is shown.

Using a good, solid plastic bag and wooden stick, carefully |

line the pipe body with a plastic bag to keep moisture and air
out of the sensitive powder.

Carefully pack the pipe body full of washed, ground ammoni-

um nitrate. Pack as tightly as possible. Leave a short section
of dowel rod inserted in the packed powder as a removable
cavity for the cap assembly. Seal up the plastic bag so that no
moisture finds its way to the explosive.

doing till it is too late to lob it back, I favor

longer fuzes. Long fuzes are not only safer,
they differ very little from short fuzes in actual
tactical results.
Military grenades vary in fuze time from 4
to 9 seconds. Longer fuze times are necessary Find the exact center of the pipe caps, drill a 1/4-inch hole
when the grenades are fired from rifles or dou- through the center, Insert a piece of standard diameter fuze
ble as mortar bombs. Home manufacturers’ that will burn 12 seconds or more, split the fuze, and glue the
Split halves to the end cap body. Finally, glue the end ofa
should strive for consistency rather than quick . Strike-anywhere match tip into the fuze powder train with the
fuzes. That way, a user who is absolutely cer- strike-anywhere tip facing up. A standard number 6 cap is
tain of burn time can hold his sputtering attached to the dynamite fuze leading down into the explosive.
 Prepare a pull-pin fuze by gluing or welding a 1/8-inch pipe A standard magnum shot shell primer is placed inside the end
nippleinto the center of a 1/2-inch fender washer. of a 1/8-inch pipe nipple. This assembly is dropped 3/4 inch
down into the grenade body, where it is securely fastened.

A fuze segment with cap attached pushed snugly up into a

1/8-inch pipe nipple with shot shell primer in place ready for
insertion in the grenade body.
Lay astrip of coarse emery'cloth on the match head and fuze
>, assembly, Glue a 1/2-inch fender washer securely on top of the
“lee @mery cloth and fuze to provide friction. When this emery cloth Use any thick adhesive, such as Goop or pos-
lspulled, it will light the match. If the match does not light, the
_ fuze can be lit manually through the hole in the washer. sibly even candle wax, to secure the split fuze to
both the bottom and top of the cap. Do a thor-
bomb an extra second or two till he is abso- ough job, but do not slop the glue onto the
“, lutely sure it is properly lit. exposed powder at the fuze’s core. Allow this
“+ Cut fuze length as desired, but it should entire assembly to harden, holding the fuze
yield at least 12 to 15 seconds of delay. Push rigidly in position. This may take two days.
fuze through the 1/4-inch cap hole and split it After drying, securely and properly crimp a
in half with a razor blade, exposing its powder number 6 dynamite cap to the fuze end extend
train core. The long tail of the fuze must below the cap. No other protection is needed
‘ @::: down through the threaded portion of between fuze and explosive since homemade
€ cap, C-4 will not detonate from an open flame.
 Ragnar’s Big Book of Homemade Weapons

Side view of friction lighting assembly mounted on a 2-inch Pull-pin igniting assembly is set 5/8 inch into the body of a
pipe cap. Dynamite cap on right is attached to a piece of fuze homemade grenade, and the powder is packed against this
with a demonstrated 12-second burn time. The emery cloth assembly from the other side into the grenade body.
on the left bears against match head set in the split ends of
the fuze.

Sharpen the end of a 4-inch long, 1/4-inch bolt and drilla

1/16-inch hole through the bolt about 1/2 inch ahead of the
Drill two opposing 3/16-inch holes on both sides of the sharpened tip through which a pin is inserted. This pin
grenade body. Install a safety pin through these holes so that becomes the retainers for a flat washer against which a 3/8-
it completely covers the shot shell primer igniting device, inch compression spring bears, and a second 1/16-inch hole
thereby preventing accidental detonation. farther up the shaft acts as the striker retainer hole.
Because it is critically important that the the body of the grenade. Make certain that
hand grenade go off on schedule, I also cement you use a sound bag without holes and put it
(Duco is best) a 1-inch length of 50-gram primer in place skintight inside the grenade body.
cord to the lower cap body. Theoretically, home- Insofar as is possible, keep crinkles in the
made C-4 does not require this booster, but in bag at a minimum. Do not puncture the bag.
actual practice it is wise insurance. This protective layer must keep the very deli-
Using a blunt wooden stick similar toa quescent (moisture-absorbent), ground, and
tongue depressor, tamp a thin plastic bag into washed raw ammonium nitrate in stable, air-

162
 At this time the grenade is not armed or
dangerous. Push a wooden 1/2-inch dowel
down into the powder to make sufficient space
for the cap assembly. I also write a random
three-digit number on the bottle of nitro-
methane and grenade body, ensuring that the
correct predetermined amounts of chemicals
eventually end up together.
When the body is full, leave the stub end of
the dowel in place. Securely tie the top of the
plastic bag shut, keeping out all air and mois-
ture. Seal by capping with a third nonfuzed
pipe cap till ready to deploy the device.
At show time, screw off the temporary cap,
open the plastic bag, pull out the wooden dow-
el, dump in the bottle of premeasured
nitromethane, screw in the fuze, and away .
you go. Theoretically, it takes 20 minutes for
the chemicals to combine. Usually I combine
the chemicals early in the morning before a
practice shoot. The longest I have stored home-
made activated C-4 in grenades is three days. I
believe it probably could be kept in an alert
state for two weeks if necessary. But, of course,
this is seldom necessary.
Besides being much safer, mixing as close
to the time of need as possible has another
Firing-pin assembly cocked and retained with a small pin. positive advantage. Until mixed, the device
Note the nail used as safety taken from hole in the grenade could not be classified as a destructive device
body, lying next to the grenade. : since the fuze and cap would not detonate the
tight condition until pressed into service. ammonium nitrate. This could be an impor-
Painting the inside of the body with a good, tant legal point. ;
thick-skinned, closely adhering paint is an alter- Returning to the manufacture of the trigger
nate method of sealing the pipe while allowing mechanism that was set back to dry, use high-
for a few extra grams of explosive content. ly flammable glue (such as contact or Duco
After either painting or lining, begin to cement) to lightly glue the head of a strike-
tamp the finely powdered ammonium nitrate anywhere match to the powder train. Be sure
into the grenade body. Use a wooden stick to ’ the lighter-colored strike-anywhere portion of
layer the powder immediately after it is the match head faces upward from its place
washed and ground. It is imperative that the affixed to the fuze powder train. Next con-
powder be packed into the cast-iron pipe as struct an abrasive striker. Builders can use
tightly as possible and that the bag be free of either throw-away emery boards similar to
tears, The builder must keep accurate track of those used to manicure fingernails or strips of
the exact amount of ammonium nitrate pow- coarse 50- or 80-grit emery cloth (use cloth,
der used so that the correct amount of not paper). Paper is not tough or supple
nitromethane can be measured. Store the cor- enough for the job at hand.
@: charge of nitromethane in a tightly closed As a rule, I use small emery boards if Ican
astic pill bottle till the two are mixed. find them. They are more difficult to prepare,

163
 Ragnar’s Big Book of Homemade Weapons

but they also are slightly more reliable. When one-half of the 1/8-inch nipple to a 1/2-inch
using emery boards, grind the grit from the fender washer. These washers are almost 2
side of the board with the finest abrasive, i.e., inches in diameter and fit nicely in the grenade
use the side of the board with the coarsest abra- body. Be sure the 1/8-inch nipple is centered. It
sive to scratch the match head. " will hold the shot shell primer.
Place the coarse side of the emery board Homemade C-4 will not detonate asa
down on the match head. If it is emery cloth, . result of a sputtering fuze or hot match, but
similarly lay the abrasive on the match head. the nipple is necessary to support a detona-
Place a 1 3/4-inch diameter fender washer on tion assembly. Detonation is accomplished
the top of the board or emery cloth at the place . using a magnum shot shell primer. Securely
where the abrasion contacts the match head. crimp or, if necessary, glue the primer into the
Using a big dollop of thick, viscous Goop-type top of the 1/8-inch half nipple fastened to the
glue or silicon caulk, secure the washer to the fender washer. Be sure no glue interferes with
pipe cap in four places, © the hot end of the primer. Push a 3-inch (or
Do not press or otherwise mash these compo- more depending on one’s predetermined fuze
nents together. The weight of the washer itself burn rate) piece of dynamite fuze securely up
should provide sufficient friction to ignite the into the bottom of the 1/8-inch nipple so that
match head when the strip or board is pulled. a freshly cut end abuts smartly into the busi-
Should there be a misfire or failure of the ness end of the primer. Sufficient fuze should
fuze to ignite, users can light the fuze witha remain exposed at the bottom so that a num-
match through the hole in the washer. After | ber 6 cap can be affixed properly.
lighting, hold the bomb a second or two till Crimp the nipple securely onto the body of
there is no question that the fuze is burning. the fuze. This crimp must be tight. If it cannot
There is no particular danger if one uses a be crimped, glue or tape securely. The fuze
longer fuze, 3 inches in length or motfe,-provid- must be held in place rigidly so that the force of
ing approximately 12 seconds of burn time. the cap detonation does not push the cap away
Hand grenades can be made to be lit with from the fuze, failing to envelop it in hot gases.
matches or a cigarette lighter, I do not consider Place the completed, blued, crimped, fuzed
this to be a viable working method, although nipple and cap assembly down onto the end of
such devices are much easier to construct. the grenade pipe body about three-quarters of
During the heat of an engagément it is often an inch. Some adjustment will be necessary,
extremely difficult to get a lighter or match but it is possible to adjust a bit by screwing the
flame in contact with a fuze. Using a match pipe caps in or out. Working from both ends
will give one’s position away at night unless and using heavy Goop glue, rigidly secure the
the user is extremely cautious. washer inside the pipe body. Wait at least two
Many people like pin-activated hand days for the glue to dry.
grenades much better than the abrasive-fuze Mark the center of one of the end caps,
variety. Mousetrap designs are much more drilling a smooth, straight 1/4-inch hole there-
difficult to build and, in my opinion, much in. Slop the bit around a bit so that a 4-inch
more dangerous. _ long, 1/4-inch bolt will slide through the hole
Start this variant with the same basic 2-inch in a vertical position.
cast-iron pipe body and undrilled end caps. Drill a 3/16-inch hole through both sides of
Purchase a 2-inch fender washer with 1/2-inch the grenade body (2-inch pipe) immediately
center hole. Also purchase a 5-inch long, 1/8- above the shot-shell primer imbedded in the
inch pipe nipple. This piece is cut in half, produc- 1/8-inch nipple. Insert a cotter key or an 8-pen-
ing the two 2 1/2-inch fuze protectors required: ny nail through the holes. This is the safety
one each for a pull-pin-type ignition system. device, and it is extremely important and
Using heavy glue or braze if available, fix should not be neglected when constructing
 fy

nd grenades. Do not overlook this procedure. primer cord to the dynamite cap. Hold back
W sharpen the end of the 4-inch long, 1/4- the correct amount of nitromethane in a prop-
inch bolt. Drill a 1/16-inch hole through the erly coded bottle. Seal up the plastic bag thor-
. 1/4-inch bolt just above the sharpened point oughly until needed. Do not screw the plunger
about half an inch. Push the bolt through the mechanism on until you are ready to deploy
cap hole. Slip on a 1/4-inch flat washer and a the grenade. Also, do not remove the safety
1 1/2-inch-long piece of heavy-duty 3/8-inch pin until the very last thing before popping
” compression spring. Place a small cotter pin or the cap. :
nail retainer through the 1/16-inch hole. Nitromethane is added from the top in
Using the head of the bolt, pull it up through friction-activated models and from the bot-
the hole in the pipe cap, compressing the tom in cap-detonated (mousetrap) models.
spring between the washer and the cap body. These are not complex devices, but they do
Mark the spot immediately above ‘the body of take more mechanical skill than some people
the cap in the bolt when it is tightly com- possess. Be very cautious. Extend testing time
pressed. Drill a second 1/16-inch hole through if it seems appropriate. ;
the 1/4-inch bolt at this point. Pull the spring I have contemplated packing a dozen 00
assembly back and slip a small nail bent ina buckshot in a 2-inch grenade in place of some of
loop through the hole as a retainer. A piece of the powder. Theoretically, this extends the
wire will also work for this purpose. lethal range of the device a bit. Yet in its current
There should be about 5/8 of an inch free form, the device detonates resolutely in ‘a posi-
space between the retracted, restrained bolt tive sort of way. Without having tested these
and the face of the primer when the cap is grenades on live targets, I can only assume the
crewed to the grenade body. Adjust the pin a extent of their effectiveness. As of this writing,
@: screwing the pipe cap in or out. Don’t discussions are being held regarding detonating
ve the cap in place without securing it with one of the bombs in the midst of some of our’
tape if only one or two threads on the pipe nip- chickens. Question is, would this actually bea
ple are engaged. ; reasonable test, given the fact that it would:
It is desirable to test either the scratch or probably be very hard on the chickens.
mousetrap-type mechanism before using it Although completely illegal and quite dan-
with high explosives. Other than the loss ofa gerous, these grenades have the advantages of
small amount of fuze and some caps, costs are both a screw-in fuze and a reasonably safe
low. Testing does not hurt the pipe body of the binary explosive. While I have never killed
mechanism. My recommendation is to suc- anything with them yet, I know from long.
cessfully fire five caps in either mechanism experience rolling them down into a draw
before proceeding to loaded hand grenades. near our retreat that they are probably
Once you are satisfied that the fuze mecha- extremely effective.
nism is reliable, take the cap with pin assem- On a still day, the blast from the grenades
bly from the top of the grenade body. Working roils around the hills in a most gratifying
from the bottom as before, insert a plastic bag manner, tossing grass, leaves, dirt, and sticks ©
or paint and fill the body with finely powdered into the wind and adding to the overall color
ammonium nitrate. The better the job of pack- of the event. As a hobby, homemade grenades
ing, the better the results. As added insurance, are almost as much fun as mortars—but more
it may be appropriate to glue a small piece of about them in another chapter. j
 -—MORTARBACKGROEND
Pte.
:
It was an incredible demonstration. fire is the most hopelessly impossible mili-
Perhaps forty of us sat on a little two-board . tary contradiction.
* raised bleacher looking out over an open grass it was about 150 yards from us to the blan-
. field. It was as if we were sitting on the other ket. Distance from blanket to mortar was 600
guys’ 35 yard line-peering out over a giant yards, we were told, and it was at least that far
playing field. bn hg Sy't ; , judging by the amount of time it took the
Front.and right on a little. angle, a crusty sergeant to walk it. We could hardly see what
old master sergeant spread a standard-size © was going on at the ldunching site. Under the
olive drab (OD) army blanket. He laid it flat ‘ circumstances, I believe, the crafty old
on the ground for use as a target, toward ‘sergeant paced the distance so he could be —
which the old war horse intended to lob his more immediately accurate with his fire. ©
. 60mm (2.4 inch) mortar bombs. — As it was, his shots with that little 60mm
Up the playing field far to our'left, the fel- mortar were so accurate he made an impres-
low started setting up his mortar. I remember sion that I am certain is still with every oneof
as if it were yesterday the coffinlike OD case, .us who saw it and are still alive. ~
toted out into the field for him by.two hapless . His first round pinged out the tube. After it
Gls.-It seemed_as though he spent an inordi- “was out about 100 yards, we could see its black
nate amount of time assembling the bipod outline high in the sky. It hit with an anemic
(legs),.tube, and then a little hand-size piece little black-powder pop, complete with appro- ~
he somehow slipped into the assembly. Then priate smoke and a small flash. Incredibly, it
there were the fluted aluminum cans. He landed twenty feet beyond the blanket. By ©
stacked these three deep on top of each other, itself it was an impressive display fired at a tar-
open ends facing the mortar. Ss get measuring no more than five by seven feet.
“It’s the band playing one more round | He fired from sufficient distance that he proba-
before the dancing girls come out,” .a friendly bly could not have seen the blanket had it not
young officer opined. “Let him take his time,” been for a slight run in the ground uphill to
another man responded, “We don’t want him “his location.
dropping HE on us or even a cast-iron practice - His second round, fired no more than 30
round, for that matter.” seconds later, landed on the blanket. Evidently
Some of these gentlemen had already he was hand-adjusting the tube using little
been on the wrong end of mortar fire. Others more than Kentucky windage. We could not
of us were seeing these things for the first believe our eyes. He dropped another four or
time. Experienced soldiers know that friendly five in a row on the same tiny patch of cloth.

169
 Ragnar’s Big Book of Homemade Weapons
_ TS.

or us his demonstration had the same impact only be breached by horizontally fired can-
s firing a quarter-sized group on a 200-yard nons or howitzers. Catapults and ballistics
target with a Browning Automatic Rfle (BAR). could be employed to throw rocks and iron at
“He's sure gonna have trouble fixin’ his bunk far less cost then gunpowder-intensive mor-
tonight!” another wide-eyed soldier wisecracked. tars. Deployment of mechanical devices con-
Later the same sergeant went out of his way stituted far less risk for the operator.
to emphasize how accurate mortars could be if Part of the solution to this dilemma lay in
one took the time to learn how to use them and the development
of explosive and incendiary
practiced continually. The man claimed that we rounds for their mortars. These would not
could do as well if we paid attention to business. breach castle walls, but they had the ability to
My guess, having spent considerable time burn the castle or to otherwise produce casual-
reflecting on that incident, is that the old boy ties and discourage defenders within the walls.
probably practiced with tens of thousands of Toward the end of the 1400s, privately owned
Uncle Gravy’s rounds costing hundreds of German contract mortar and cannon compa-
thousands of dollars. While he was obviously nies developed primitive exploding and incen-
very good, most of us could do as well given diary rounds for their weapons, These explod-
enough time and an unlimited supply of prac- ing devices were extremely primitive, but they
tice rounds. He did make the point that small, did impress the generals, Users first lit the fuze
movable, easily carried mortars were an on the bomb and then the mortar fuze. In the
important tool for the foot soldier. event that the mortar’s ignition was delayed,
Mortars were the earliest form of artillery. the user could become his own casualty,
They were first deployed at the siege of Con- Mortars remained as more of a subsidiary
stantinople by Mohammed II in 1453 a.v. Asa device for the world’s warmongers than a
sult of Mohammed’s success, mortars were main battle piece until the start of the 1900s.
uickly adopted by European armies along with At that time, lighter, better steel, propellants,
gunpowder, which was evolving simultaneously. and explosives along with the development of
Early siege warfare.as practiced in Europe cheap reliable point-detonating fuzes brought
was ideally suited for mortars. Even using on a renewed interest in the devices, principal-
extremely primitive materials and manufac- ly among the Germians and Japanese.
turing techniques, results were reasonably After the U.S. Civil War demonstrated the
good. They were somewhat accurate in that necessity of fast-moving, mobile units and the
they could be adjusted to deliver fire on a giv- futility of massed frontal assaults, light _
en city over high, previously insurmountable portable mortars finally found their niche.
walls. Because of their stubby little potlike Mortars, the Japanese and Germans found,
design, they used limited amounts of scarce were not only portable, but in their modern
materials, and they could be fired much more form they could be relied upon to drop huge
rapidly than any other artillery piece. amounts of explosives on the enemy in a fairly
Although mortars were reasonably easy to accurate manner on extremcly short notice.
manufacture and deploy, they contained inher- Light portable mortars quickly became the
ent defects, leading some military thinkers of modern guerrilla’s and skirmisher’s friend.
the day to look elsewhere for solutions to their They packed well on man or mule, could be
tactical problems. Mortar, for instance, dropped installed at the very top of mountains, and the
projectiles down on targets from high angles. bombs could be broken into loads of two
The generals’ problem related to the fact that apiece and carried virtually anyplace.
most of their targets were castle walls, and these Both conventional and nonconventional
barriers could not be neutralized easily by verti- forces found mortars cheap and relatively easy
cally delivered projectiles. to manufacture. Even today, most mortars still
& As a rule, they found that castle walls could are not manufactured with rifled barrels.

170
 |
fAlthough some of the world’s armorers are much of a mortar’s advantage. Radar crews C) \
‘experimenting with rifle barrels, most still may simply wait fora round and instantly . :
make their mortars of relatively inexpensive, report the gun’s location, allowing one’s own
eamless, high-grade, smooth steel pipe. artillery crew to quickly and easily produce
Training, at least to the point of acceptabil- three or four casualties among the opposition
ity, is relatively fast and easy. Fire controls by returning superaccurate fire.
Poften consist of little more than a spotter with: However, aiming techniques may evolve
Pa radio as compared to regular artillery that that allow each side to fire only one round,
virtually must operate with a whole bank of ‘hitting its target without benefit of or need:
’computers, plotters, and radiomen as well as a for bracketing. In this case, mortars would
great assortment of ammunition. evolve beyond relatively simple devices with:
Mortars are, in many respects, the ideal primitive sights. Heavy cases of electronics
weapon for survivors who are serious about gear both for aiming and counterbattery fire
defending their retreat. They cheaply and easi- may quickly become the standard. These
ly concentrate a huge amount of firepower. will require extensive training before they
Their use can be self-taught and, for those who can be used effectively. Manufacturing costs
rtake time to plan their defenses, they are’ will be high, and large transport capacity
imost impossible to overcome. will be demanded. .
. However, as a tool of the future, mortars as - In the meantime, mortars are ideal.
full-blown defensive weapons may again fall weapons for reasonably intelligent, hard-
Finto disuse in the twenty-first century. As a’ working, cautiously brave survivors. If the user
general rule, even in the hand of skilled tech- is cautious, no one will know he has them,
‘nicians, mortars require two-or three bracket- producing-an instant advantage in the crucial
ing rounds before they are on target. first engagement. - ae :
Modern development of cheap, light, easily Because they are relatively cheap and easy
“operated radar counterbattery devices that to produce and because they give the user an
accurately lock onto an enemy mortar crew’s- instant advantage, I suggest that everyone
position after only a single round mitigate seriously consider laying back at least one.

171
 CHAPTER 31

MORTAR DEPLOYMENT

“Destroy the largest, most threatening tar- in subsequent chapters. Because our mortars
get at the greatest distance” is good advice not were simple, we relied on eyeball Kentucky
only for conventional military people; it is also windage rather than complex vernier sights
excellent advice for the survivor, particularly for alignment. ou
as it relates to heavy weapons. This advice is Homebuilt mortars can and even should be
enhanced by the fact that most antagonists fired over intimately familiar country to the
are unlikely to have any idea that heavy defender without base plates, leveling devices, .
weapons might be encountered. or even incrementally adjustable bipods.
Mortars are one of the finest, most practical Japanese soldiers, for example, effectively
pieces of equipment to whomp an intruder at operated an extremely simple little device
eee known as a knee mortar throughout World
long range. Homemade models regularly
deliver the goods out to 700 yards or more. War Il. American and Aussie Gls who tried
Mortars are reasonably cheap and easy to firing it from the knee found out the name
construct, and unlike bazookas, for instance, was misapplied, but it was an incredibly
ammunition is relatively simple to put togeth- portable little machine. There were several
er in one’s home workshop. Practice rounds evolutionary models of the knee mortar, all
are cheap and easy. They can be used over and in 50mm (2.1 inches) and all weighing less
over again, allowing the user to become than eleven pounds.
extremely proficient at little cost. No previous They used a special propellant cartridge to
military experience is necessary to use mor- throw a standard Japanese hand grenade out
tars, and, in the process, mortars are great fun a maximum of 710 yards. Firing was accom-
to play around with. plished using a trigger mounted on the tube
In times past, my friends and I have spent support rod. Japanese infantrymen consid-
countless enjoyable hours throwing bombs ered these clever little mortars as a bridge
downrange. The range was a clear pasture between hand-delivered hand grenades and .
field where we could see the rounds land, not true mortars. In that regard, their use was
brush-covered, irregular ground over which similar to that which one should plan for sur-
one is likely to defend his home. Some of the vivors, In many respects our own military val-
earlier mortars were military surplus models idated the concept of small mortars when
complete with issue sights, bipods, and base they brought out 40mm M-79 and M-203
plates, but as a general rule we learned to fire grenade launchers.
our simple homebuilt ones just as well. Most of Model 10 grenade dischargers, as they were
Our devices were similar to the one described then called, had no sights or bipod. A single

173
 Ragnar’s Big Book of Homemade Weapons

arm with a cupped base made to slip overa Home builders can accomplish this sort of
rock or log was all that positioned them. delivery if they practice with their mortars and
Although most users probably never heard of learn to use forward observers.
Kentucky, it was the only way they could be Effective forward observers must also learn
aimed. Users simply angled the device in the to remain out of sight, know the country as
direction of the target as they thought appro- well as the mortar’s operation, and be equip-
priate and fired away, based entirely on pre- ped with a good, hand-held two-way radio.
sent conditions and past experience. Firing at a spot where one’s opponents have
More conventional mortars fired in bat- been pinned down or have fled for refuge from
tery using forward fire control require solid small-arms fire is an appropriate target for
base plates for support as well as rigid, easily one’s mortar. Fortunately, in this day and age,
incremented bipods. Even simple homebuilt easy acquisition of good FM or CB radios
models require something substantial on makes this mission possible.
which to place the tube if the ground is soft After spending enough time firing practice
or moist: After firing only a few rounds, mor- rounds at fixed targets to feel comfortable with
tars will drive even large solid base plates their mortars, survivors may want to make the
down into the ground. Smooth tubes may next quantum leap and begin to engage tar-
bury themselves so deeply that aim adjust- ’ gets from defilade-positions. This is much
ment is no longer possible. It is not uncom- more entertaining if users have a large
mon for GIs using conventional munitions amount of inert practice rounds at their dis-
and base plates to have to dig their mortars’ posal. They can adjust till they finally start
base plate out of the earth when they move dropping rounds right on the target.
to. a new location. . This sort of practice requires large amounts
If fire is to be concentrated accurately from of wide-open spaces on fields that have either
many mortars, these amenities are a require- " short crops or crops that have recently been har-
ment. Survivors who will probably deploy only vested. A freshly combined bean or pea field or
one barrel at any given position can easily newly mown and baled hayfield is a good
make do with base plates made from a pre- example. Practice of this sort can be done in rel-
notched piece of log or a rock previously atively populated areas because the rounds do
stashed at their firing points. They will not not detonate or otherwise disturb the natives—
find it necessary or desirable to haul around a unless, of course, one inadvertently drops an
heavy base plate nor go to the trouble and errant round through a neighbor's barn roof.
expense of constructing them. Users who practice on rough, irregular
Survivors are usually terminal invertea: country of the type usually found around
Some may wish to spend additional hours of retreats will find that they lose a lot of their
work constructing a mortar that is true in every practice rounds. They just go out of sight, fall
detail to standard military-issue models, or they into heavy brush, and can’t be found, or they
may purchase a bipod base plate and sight break up on impact. Painting the rounds
from parts suppliers who advertise in Shotgun bright silver or shiny red helps a bit, but it is no
News. While doing so may be recreational, it guarantee that they will not be lost, and, of
certainly is not necéssary. Spartan models, as course, breakage is stilla problem... ,
subsequently described, will do just fine. Pian to practice occasionally with fully
As mentioned, mortars by design can deliv- loaded rounds even. if this means driving to
er Q fairly high rate of fire by a user operating some other area where the people are not as
completely in the blind. By employing a for- nosy. It is wise to undertake these tests only
ward observer, users can sit safely over a hill or after-one is proficient with practice rounds
in a hollow pouring fire down on an enemy {i.e.; one can regularly get them reasonably’
who can neither see nor be seen by the users. near the target) and there are no longer prob-
 {Building and Keeping Your Arsenal Secure

ms with improperly loaded booster car- able if a second and even third ammo bearer is
tridges, equipment breakage, or simple mis- available. Mortars work best against personnel
calculations. : : when ammunition is expanded lavishly. The
As arule, it is not practical to plan to minimum is probably four to eight rounds per
engage vehicles with one’s mortar. They are barrage. It would take a very determined man
too fast and can get out of range of a mortar to carry a tube plus eight rounds of loaded
quickly. Wheeled and most track vehicles homemade mortar ammo over rough country.
generally run on fixed paths, and pre- Probably the most ideal position in which
planned set charges are much more efficient to set up a mortar for a survivor is on a promi-
and effective for these. Plan, instead, to pro- nence from which he can drop rounds long
tect the retreat with numerous preselected, distances (up to 800 yards) while observing
preset charges strung out along the their impact. Obviously, tremendous amounts
approaches. Handle intrusions of large bod- of beneficial fire can be delivered when the
ies of people with the mortar, hand user can see the target as well as the rounds
grenades, and claymores. Practicing with detonating. If this position also protects
; that plan in mind is much more productive approaches to the retreat, itis that much
than leaving the organization of one’s more desirable.
retreat defense to chance. ; Under these circumstances, however, the
Mortar barrels and fittings are quite cheap survivor stands a strong chance of being sur-
and easy to put together. Wrapped in oily rounded and cut off. It is better, I believe, to
cloth, a large number of tubes can be hidden in slip through the hills, valleys, and brush un-
» convenient firing points around one’s property, seen and to then drop relatively powerful
r survivors can carry a single tube from place bombs in the near proximity of an enemy
: @ place around the property. A sling can be fit- from unknown locations. Then the group can
ed onto the tube, making it easier to carry. reassemble in heavy cover and organize yet
Carrying around a 20-pound tube is accept- another attack on a still groping enemy.

175

i
 CHAPTER 32

HOME CONSTRUCTION OF AWORKING MORTAR

Building a workable mortar in one’s home If high-quality DOM is available in good,

workshop is so simple you'll wonder why you unpitted, basically rust-free used condition,
waited so long to do it. Most of the parts can be buy the correct length and have the machine
purchased off-the-shelf from your friendly ’ shop put a thread on one end of the pipe. You
plumber’ s supply house. The challenge, if may also ask them about constructing a solid
there is one, relates to acquisition rather than steel end cap for the tube. Tell them the outfit
to any complex building, welding, or tooling. is to be used as a steel fence post-pounder.
Mortar tubes can be constructed from 3- - Custom constructing a steel end cap will cost
inch pipe in any length from 18 inches up to some bucks, but it is far better than simply
about 6 feet. Obviously, shorter lengths would threading an issue cast-iron pipe cap ontoa
be easier to hide and to pack around, and they ~ good, solid-steel tube.
are also far less costly. Yet they sacrifice quite a If the device fails, it is almost certainly
‘ bitin terms of accuracy, reliability, and range. the result of cracking of the cast-iron end
3 Most builders favor tubes in the range of 36 to cap. Although quite a lot can be done to
+ 44 inches. reduce the cracking of regular stock 3-inch
Having decided on the length, go to your cast-iron caps, expect them to fail with regu-
ost user-friendly, convenient machine shop or larlity. Pressures within the tube are relative-
: Steel supply house. Purchase whatever length . ly low, despite the heavy load being tossed
+ you want in 3-inch inside diameter tube. With out. Certainly it can happen, but I have not
; any luck, the machine shop you choose will seen even a pipe-type tube crack in a num-
i have some good used drawn-over mandrel ber of years.
(DOM) seamless pipe at reduced rates. At this point, I will assume home builders
Regular 3-inch plumber’s pipe will work if have a 40-inch tube with one threaded end
. Seamless is not available, but itis not as strong - and either a custom-built end cap or an off-
. nor, in many ways, as easy to work with. the-shelf plumber’s variety. Find the exact cen-
, Common 3-inch pipe sells for about $3.50 per ter of the pipe cap. Carefully drill a vertical
Oot. DOM seamless runs about $2.50 to $3.00 §/32-inch pilot hole through the center of the
; Per inch new, Unless one scrounges and cap. Purchase a hardened 3/8-inch machine
_ Searches, a new 40-inch-long tube could cost bolt 4 inches long plus two correct machine
* Up to $120. Under many circumstances, good thread nuts for the bolt.
Mortar tubes are worth far more than $120, Using a regular 3/8- by 24-inch NF die, cut
- Dut usually it’s much more money than you threads from top to bottom on the bolt.
have to pay. Carefully sharpen the end of the bolt to a fast,

177
 Ragnar’s Big Book of Homemade Weapons

Side view of firing device for a 3-inch mortar. Later the cap is
partially filled with molten lead to keep it from cracking under
pressure of repeated firing. Firing pin must remain adjustable
So that it can be set in a precise manner.
Standard 3-inch pipe cap is drilled in the exact center with a
21/64-inch drill and tapped with a 3/8- x 24-inch NF tap. A source, melt about two pounds of plumber’s
fully threaded 3/8- x 24-inch machine bolt is threaded lead containing at least 5-percent tin. After
through the cap and locked on the cap with a nut. Note point- the lead is liquefied, pour it into the concave
ed end of bolt.
portion of the mortar tube end cap. Pour it
quickly beveled point. Do not make along, only into the bottom edge of the threaded
thin point because it it will break too easily. portion of the cap, not up in the area where
Drill out the pilot hole in the tube cap to 21/64 it will prevent the cap from being securely
inch. Thread with a 3/8 inch by 24 NF tap. Be screwed to the mortar tube. This quantity of
very careful to thread the cap in a perfectly lead will warp when cooling but, in spite of
vertical manner. This is the most complex part this, will cushion the cap, extending its life at _
of home manufacture of a mortar tube. An least fivefold.
adjustable firing pin is necessary if one is to Give the bolt firing pin a quick turn or two,
produce a working mortar. Eventually this pin loosening it as the lead hardens. After the
must be set so that it just barely detonates a assembly cools, tighten the buck nut down
cap on the projectile when it is dropped down onto the back of the cap, securing it to the cap
the barrel. and lead buffer. It is imperative that the firing
Place a locking nut on the back of the bolt. pin be adjustable in and out after the lead
Thread the bolt through the cap with the pin cools and that it be adjusted down so that the
extending through the concave portion of the firing assembly reefs against the lead block.
cap. Extend the point up past the surface of Leading the cap will strengthen it, but after
the cap about 1/2 inch. This is a trial-and- prolonged firing with heavier charges, the cap
error procedure that is best done with inert will still crack. It is best to make two or three
rounds containing a primer but no propelling extra caps now before the time of critical need.
charge. Drop sufficient inert rounds till you It is sometimes difficult to get the firing pin
are certain that the firing pin protrudes up absolutely centered in a home workshop, so
through the cap just enough to detonate the builders may wish to have this cap work done
primer and that it is centered properly. in a machine shop.
Unscrew the cap off the tube. Using a Solid-steel caps are less apt to crack but are
camp stove, propane torch, or other heat much more expensive and difficult to pur-

178
 rap assembly around the mortar tube holding support legs.

“chase. Screw the cap securely back onto the

nd of the mortar tube.
From either a scrap pile or a cooperative
teel supplier, get one piece of 1-inch mild
steel, 1/4-inch strap, 15 inches long. Usinga | Three-inch mortar with base firing mechanism and legs
heavy hammer with the tube as a template, installed, ready for use.
place the strapping on a heavy long anvil or
scrap of tube-size pipe and beat it into rounds. ; projectile. This arrangement is not superaccu-
that clasp nicely around and onto the tubes. rate, but it works nicely over a distance of 400
Drill holes through the ends of the steel to 700 yards. Since the blast radius of these
straps and, using 1/2-inch bolts, securely fas- rounds is about 30 feet, users don’t have to get
ten the strap about 12 inches down from the the bomb right on the blanket for it to be effec-
top of the upright tube. tive. As mentioned, I have traditionally not
Purchase two pieces of 3/4- to 1-inch diam- used a base plate, relying instead on coarse
eter steel rod 30 inches long. Weld or braze two gravelly ground rocks, logs, or wooden planks
1/2-inch washers to the top of each steel leg. on which to place my mortar tube. I leave all
Run the 1/2-inch bolt used to secure the tube of these at places where I believe I may deploy
clamp through the washers on the two legs. my mortar.
Since the legs have to move in and out a bit, it Constructing mortar bombs is a bit more dif-
¢ helps to place a couple of flat washers next to ficult, but it is still far from exacting work.
the welded washers. Ideally, the legs should Again, patronizing one’s favorite plumbing sup-
flex in and out so that the tube can be angled ply house, secure a 2-inch black pipe nipple 6-
up or down a bit. : inches long, two 2-inch pipe caps, and a 4-inch-
These legs become the upright support fo long 3/4-inch nipple. At a hardware store, pur-
the tube. Shooters can move them to provide chase a 1/2-inch fender washer, which conve-
More horizontal distance as opposed to addi-
tional vertical distance when launching the
niently is just shy of 2 inches in diameter. Also
purchase a little 1/4-inch washer at this time. ©
ie

Side view of a mortar projectile made of two 2-inch pipe caps

and a 6-inch pipe nipple. A hole is drilled through the lower
(left) pipe cap and a 3/4-inch nipple brazed solidly in the
exact center.
more of Bullseye or Herco shotgun powder ora
12-gauge case full of Hodgins’ Pyrodex CTG.
Exact loading will depend on the weight of the
projectile, the distance over which one wishes
to fire, and the quality of the steel in the tube,
Mortar projectiles are made by brazing a standard 3/4-inch As an initial experiment, load the projec-
pipe nipple 4 inches long to the exact center of a 2-inch pipe tile body with 1 1/2 pounds of sand gravel or
cap. Drill a number of 5/16-inch holes through the nipple to other convenient filler. Some users construct
act as gas vents for the blank shot shell shown inserted in the
bottom end of the nipple.
. Plastic break-apart tubes filled with powdered
‘lime that make a nice white cloud when they
& Find the precise center of the 2-inch pipe cap hit. Screw the top cap on securely and bush
and drill a 5/32-inch pilot hole through one both caps with electrical tape so that the
cap. If a 3/4- by 14-inch pipe tap is available, round will fall straight down the barrel. I find
drill the center pilot hole in the cap out to it necessary to use a full 6-inch-long piece of
15/16 inch. Thread the hole through the tap so 2-inch pipe so that sufficient distance between
that the 4-inch long 3/4-inch diameter nipple contact surfaces holds the 3/4 nipple rigidly in
can be threaded securely into the cap. Asan the center of the tube. Off-center propellant
added measure, I braze the nipple top and bot- tubes are prone to misfires. At first, misfires
tom to the cap, This assembly must be on abso- will be a constant problem. Simply dump the
lute center, or numerous misfires will result. round out of the tube, adjust the firing pin,
Measure down from the pipe cap 1 1/2 inch- change end caps or straighten the 3/4-inch
es on the threaded 3/4-inch nipple. Working nipple on the round. In the field, doing all this
only above this line, drill at least ten 5/16-inch can be exasperating. .
holes through the pipe, perforating it thor- Practice shooting inert projectiles over the
oughly. These holes bleed off the propellant country in which you plan to operate. It is
charge from the 12-gauge shell when it fires. helpful to paint the rounds red or silver so that
A 12-gauge shot shell will fit easily into the they can be retrieved and fired again. I recom-
end of the 3/4-inch nipple. A small piece of elec- mend not loading the rounds with explosives
trician’s tape may be needed to bush the shell so until one has successfully fired at least 100
that it does not fall out of the pipe when it is car- inert rounds.
ried around roughly. Use only shot-shell primers Fuzing and charging these rounds when the
to test the mechanism. When certain that the time comes is relatively straightforward. In my
mechanism is working, graduate to propellant book on homebuilt M-79s and M-203s (Part 6),
nd inert practice rounds, I described a point-detonating device, but
_ Propellant should be 30 to 60 grains or these are probably much too dangerous for

180
 ter of the powder train. Crimp a number 6
dynamite cap onto the fuze. As an added pre-
caution, glue an inch of 50-grain primer cord
to the cap as a booster for the explosive.
After securely fastening the bottom cap
with the 3/4-inch pipe nipple attached to the
projectile body, drop the fender washer and
fuze in from the top of the projectile. The
spread fuze and match head should “look”
straight down the center of the 3/4-inch pro-
pellant pipe nipple. :
Using large amounts of heavy glue (such as
Goop), secure the fender washer in place over
the 3/4-inch nipple in the projectile body.
Allow at least two days for the glue to harden.
It would be better to weld this rifle in place, but
Astandard 12-second piece of dynamite fuze glued to a 1/2- because of the proximity of the dynamite cap,
inch fender washer, A match head is placed in the center of this is not possible.
the split fuze and the entire assembly anchored solidly 1 inch Using a wooden tongue depressor or other
Into the base of the projectile body. Explosives are packed in
behind the washer as an added deterrent to the assembly's blunt wooden probe, tamp a lightweight plas-
moving when the round is fired. Heat from the blank shell tic bag into the pipe body. This is a difficult
'» lights the match head and fuze. task—given the fuze and cap sticking back
iehome manufacturers to fool with, especially into the pipe center—but make sure every cor-
when only modestly dangerous fuzed rounds ner is filled by plastic bag. This plastic liner
* are available as an alternative. seals the chamber and keeps air and moisture
# As with all homebuilt destructive devices, out of the powdered ammonium nitrate,
. the ultimate secret that makes this work is which is easily ruined by air or moisture.
» knowing howto home manufacture C-4. Carefully tamp in layer after layer of tight-
With this material, a great number of things ly packed, powdered, washed ammonium
are possible. nitrate into the tube. Keep track of the
Start by testing your dynamite fuze to amount used so that a correct amount of
determine burn rate. Cut off a section of fuze nitromethane can be set aside for later use.
. thatis certain to provide 12 seconds’ burn After filling with ammonium nitrate, seal the
time before detonation. ; plastic bag and set the top end cap securely in
Using heavy glue, secure a small 1/4-inch place. Make sure that enough pressure is
washer inside a 1/2-inch fender washer. exerted on the washer’s fuze assembly, pack-
Fortunately, the outside diameter of the 1/4- ing the powder into place. The force of the fir-
inch washer just about matches the inside ing blank tends to dislocate the washer and
diameter of the 2-inch fender washer. Allow fuze. Code the small plastic bottle of nitro-
the two to dry thoroughly. methane and keep it with the round. Shortly
Push the segment of dynamite fuze through ~ before use remove the top cap, open the bag,
the 1/4-inch hole and split it back about half ‘ and pour in the nitromethane, Charged
an inch. Securely glue these split halves onto rounds can be held several weeks in this ready
the washer face. Be careful that no glue gets state, but I see no reason to do so because of,
onto the internal powder train of the fuze. Cut’ - the added risk.
a match head from a strike-anywhere match A dozen 12-gauge propellant cartridges can
and, using a little dab of contact cement or be made ahead of time. Use a thumb-tip-size
Duco glue, fasten the match head into Biecen- piece of cotton as wadding over the powder.
 Ragnar’s Big Book of Homemade Weapons

Seal that with six or eight drops of Elmer's we soon discovered, but one that was fun to
@::: Allow the glue to thoroughly dry. play with.
A mortar complete with HE round is not I measured off 400 paces up the gentle rise
quite as easy to assemble as this brief descrip- from the point at which shooting would be
tion might indicate. At first, misfires are com- done. My friend, while not terribly experi-
mon. Even very small adjustments on the fir- enced with mortars, was a seasoned pro with
ing pin make a considerable difference. numerous other weapons. He understood tra-
Mortars are dangerous, and they can be errat- jectories and throw distances much better than
ic, Exercise extreme caution if you decide to I would have supposed.
build a mortar for use with anything other With intense concentration, he fired the -
’ than inert practice-or smoke rounds. first round downrange, being cautious that it
Paramilitary survivors often find smoke traveled at least 50 yards in front of me. The-
rounds useful. They can be used to confuse oretically, we should have been able to see the
the enemy and to obscure one’s movements giant pipe projectiles arcing through the blue,
from firing position to firing position. thus avoiding being hit on the head. But as
Construct a smoke-generating round for your with all things human, the leap from theory to:
mortar by drilling twenty or thirty 3/8-inch practice is often corroded with errors.
holes in the 2-inch diameter nipple at ran- I saw the smoke from the discharge a sec-
dom along its 6-inch length. Line the inside of ond or so before hearing it. Sounds from mor-
the projectile body with a plastic bag as with tars are very subdued. It was only possible to
the HE rounds, Instead of a dynamite cap, see the round arcing through the sky after it
split the end of the 12-second fuze segment was out about 60 or 80 yards. Then at the top
and glue four strike-anywhere match heads of its arc, I lost contact. It looked as though the
to the fuze in such a way that they light when round was far enough to my front, but instinc-
@: fuze burns down. tively I put my hands over my head and start-
Fill the body of the projectile with sugar ed walking backward. An incredible combina-
chlorate powder thoroughly mixed with 8-per- tion of poor luck and circumstances would
cent (by volume) powdered charcoal. Com- have to align themselves for me to be hit with
mon, finely ground barbecue brickettes are a projectile, but at the moment I wished to
fine for this purpose. The rounds are propelled take no chances.
and detonated with a 12-gauge blank round Finally after what seemed like—and proba-
exactly like the HE rounds. bly was—5S seconds, the round hit well ahead
The last time we fired mortars, conditions of me in the dust. The shooter had tried to get it
were ideal. We selected a neatly cut and baled even with my position, succeeding very nicely,
alfalfa field that was bare as a billiard ball. It Satisfied with the test, the shooter picked
was relatively easy to spot our practice rounds out a patch of low-growing morning glories
after they landed in the dust. Pleasant little that provided an unusually green splotch on
breezes did little to spoil our aim. the ground. The target was about another one
My accomplice, who seldom had an oppor- hundred yards past my position.
tunity to fire a mortar, set up the tube ona His second shot landed beyond the patch, a
piece of thick canvas tarp in an attempt to fact that I quickly relayed back. His next ten
minimize involvement from the thick, mica- shots all landed within 20 feet of the patch. He
ceous dust that lay over the field like a mantle. used a little piece of split pine log about 20
We had twelve projectile bodies with which to inches long as a base plate. After a shot or two,
practice along with about four boxes of 12- recoil from the tube drove it down into the soft
gauge propellant cartridges loaded up the pre- wood, indenting it in the shape of the end cap
vious week, All contained 40 grains of Bullseye and firing pin.
oe which was not a maximum load as Hauling twelve heavy empties back to him

182
 Building and Keeping Your Arsenal Secure
ee ee OG ee er

‘was more of a chore than one would first of the box in which it traveled. My friend
imagine. Even after only one shot, one of the slipped a 12-gauge propellant charge into the
nipples was bent sufficiently to preclude use. 3/4-inch tube.
{We were down to eleven practice rounds. Gingerly, we let it slide down the tube till it
Next he turned his attention to shelling a hit bottom with the customary soft metallic
‘high weed patch out about 600 yards to the ping. We wondered if this would be another
‘side. His first round went way wide. Eight of erratic round. As before, we saw the round
he others were reasonably close, while two going up to the top ofits arc, but perhaps
tog
“were completely erratic. helped by either practice watching or the:
This time we lost one round, and one was smoking fuze, it fell down toward the target.
damaged. We spent the remainder of the At the target it bounced twice, and then, as if
morning plopping those inert rounds down- held magically in midair, it detonated with an
range, retrieving, sorting for damage, and fir- ; incredible roar.
ing again. It really was great fun, as well asa We vividly recall pieces of the projectile '-
challenge to do well, Eventually, we lost or kicking up little dust trails around the impact
damaged all twelve of the bodies. Some were zone for perhaps 50 feet or more. Then the
fired eight or ten times.. cloud of dust stirred up by the detonation .-
Finally it was time for the big one we saved obscured the field.
for the last. I picked the loaded HE round out It was an extremely gratifying experience.

©
 CHAPTER 33

CLAYMORE BACKGROUND
” “Why is it,” I thought, “that both mos- unofficial cross-border traffic down out of
(quitoes and people get smaller as one nears Columbia into Ecuador via the Napo River
‘ the equator?” Exercising all of the determina- and some of its tributaries.
tion and self-control I could muster, I tried to About 2:30 p.m. we arranged for transport
;ignore the tiny little devils (mosquitoes) by down the river about thirty-five miles, where a
‘considering philosophical matters as they bus- tributary ran out of Colombia, reportedly used
by numerous nefarious persons. It took us less
oa blood from my exposed face and hands. than two hours to make the run in the much-
~é: the situation in which I found myself, I used, noisy open boat.
“A d not think of using smelly mosquito repel- At our camp spot, the guide pulled a num-
B lant. To do so among these alert bush people ber of rubberized duffle bags in reasonably
Re Was to raise an instant alarm. Downwind these good condition out of the vessel, ordering the
ft guys can smell you sweat fifty yards away, I operator across the wide river about a mile to
‘was often reminded. Desperately, I risked run- a little bayou where he was to spend the night
Ey ning my hand over my bare forearm. It felt sleeping in the boat.
Bais: sticky but not very noisy. We unpacked the gear, finding among other
Waves of stinking heat containing clouds of things several canvas ground cloths, two
Y¥
bugs of all types blew up from the water's edge Heckler & Koch MP-5s, a couple of flare pistols,
¥ below. It was some of the most miserable duty about two hundred feet of 22-gauge electrical
One could ever imagine. It was beginning to wire, two jungle hammocks, and yards and
look like far more than either my companion yards of mosquito netting. We also had several
ee OT] had bargained for. U.S. MREs (meals ready to eat). 1wondered how
the Ecuadorians got them so quickly.
“Before we do anything, we must set these
up,” he said as he unceremoniously dumped
three ugly green plastic claymore mines out
on the sand. It was my first introduction to
these devices. Since I was more than a little
in initely the End of the Road. Ahead, running interested in explosives, I took my time exam-
Wide and deep, lay the fork of the Napo River, ining them.
pv. the main tributary of the mighty Amazon. It was curious how easily the fiberglass
§ n Coca an Ecuadorian army officer met us. back panel came off, exposing a puttylike,
: as officially designated to document cream-colored material. Rows ofsteel, not

187
Se TE

Ragnar’s Big Book of Homemade Weapons

lead, balls were set in the front covered bya chirping again. Mosquitoes continued to
very flimsy fiberglass screen. Two steel legs hum. I expected some small-arms fire, but
folded down out of the little device. there was nothing.
At the colonel’s instruction, we set the clay- We simply sat till first light, not knowing
mores up on the opposite bank facing a sandy what to do. At full light, neither of us really
little alcove where he thought boats landed, wanted to stick our noses over the sandbank. It
“We will shoot a boat for you,” he said with a appeared that the colonel was as fearful as we
big-tooth smile. It was about two hundred feet were under the circumstances.
back to our position on the main river on the Ever so cautiously, we peeked down over the
other side. other side. It was difficult because there was
Because of fooling around with the clay- nothing to see. Finally we crawled over the
mores, we were unable to string mosquito net- divide, verifying that there really was nothing
ting in any effective manner before darkness to see.
descended. We simply spread out on the :
Some of the brush behind the claymore site
ground cloths huddled under netting strung was shredded and hacked down, but in gener-
haphazardly from rope and limbs. al there was nothing to observe. I looked for
As we quieted down, the brush around us tracks in the sand or marks from a boat keel,
came alive. There were the croaking of frogs, blood, paper, dropped equipment—anything,
tustling and flapping in the treetops, and, of But there was nothing to see, except some
course, the incessant humming of insects. small groups of feathers floating in the back-
‘It was impossible to sleep. We alternated water and strung out up on the shore.
between being slightly chilled and then break- . The colonel wouldn’t admit it, but I believe
ing out in a sweat. We listened very intently to this day that we claymored some small
for noise on the opposite bank. After a long ducks or shore birds that were paddling
time, we could barely hear the sound of some- . around in the still water, and that some ani- *
thing mucking around in the water. It was a mal—such as a civet cat, snake, or evena
subdued splashing, and then we thought we . crocodile—came in and carried off the carcass-
could hear the soft padding of feet. es. Or perhaps we didn’t get anything at all.
Suddenly there was something up in the - No human set foot in the area that night, and
grass above the bank. I froze tight with antici- we didn’t wait around for the next night.
pation and fear, It was just possible to see the “Claymores all gone,” the colonel reminded me,
whites of the colonel’s eyes and his hands,
With them, he cupped a small squeeze-type kt
generator, similar to devices used on genera-
tor-type flashlights. . Claymore mines were one of the better
When the noise came again, I could barely instruments of death and destruction to come
look over at my friend, the situation was so out of the Korean War. U.S. contractors work-
tense. Had it been mine to do, I probably could ing in think-tank-like environments success-
not have fired the claymores. It was as much fully developed a method and weapon for
reluctance to break the strange silence and dealing with Chinese human-wave tactics.
give away my position as basic fear that They determined that U.S. Gls needed some-
immobilized me... thing to set out far in front of their foxholes for
When the claymores detonated, it was as if use as a trip-wire deterrence and then as a last-
a white light shown instantaneously on the , ditch measure for people who did not seem to
other’shore. The noise was high-pitched and . care what level of casualties they took.
piercing, but not nearly as loud as I originally At first U.S, soldiers tried a number of anti-
supposed it might be. Then silence again. personnel devices, many of which were simple
After a bit, crickets and frogs started their variations of semipermanent installations
 Building and Keeping Your Arsenal Secure
S.C
> ing regular hand grenades or field-expedi- Ironically, Russian and, in their turn,
¢ deployments of C-4 and metallic scrap. Chinese armorers came to the same conclu-
All were somewhat effective because of the sion regarding the utility of remotely detonat-
cleverness and determination of the makers ed antipersonnel devices. There is some indica-
ond to the amount of time they had to place tion that the Russians had claymore-type
ERD! these devices. Often, U.N. forces in Korea were mines before the United States.
Mey put on-line at 9:00 p.m. only to have to endure However, the Russians and Chinese intend-
BE manaere attacks at 3:00 a.m. Under these ed to use the weapons offensively as booby
“circumstances, Gls had little time to do any- traps rather than defensively as a tool to repel
“f thing except bring up large numbers of con- hordes of suicidal Americans attempting to
f -¢ ventional hand grenades. overrun their positions. Perhaps Communist
* Hand grenades were efficient out to about strategists knew that it had become politically
* 40 meters, but they required the user to expose unacceptable for Americans to take all but the
~ himself somewhat and were limited in the most minimal level of casualties. In any com-
area they could cover effectively. bat in which they engaged, these strategists
What was needed, our military thinkers might have reasoned, cleverly placed antiper-
reckoned, was something quick, easy, and sonnel mines could produce far greater politi-
cheap—ready to go at very little notice. They cal results than one would first suppose.
wanted a device much like a Scottish two-hand- Chinese claymores were thick round
ed claymore sword that could deal effectively plates about the same diameter and shape as
4 with large numbers of people at one stroke. three conventional dinner plates stacked
In a modern context, they also wanteda together. Deployment often involved hang-
weapon that would deal with large numbers of ing these plates in treetops in areas of U.S.
emy coming along a predetermined avenue troop movement. At times the enemy simu-
@ 2p:000, much like a small cannon or lated troop activity on the groundinan
fe rarge shotgun. Such a device should be capa- attempt to lure helicopters into range. They
. ble of remote-controlled detonation, they rea- were also used much as American claymores
“ soned. The device should be able to be in- were on trails, in front of bunkers, and on
“* stalled quickly and unobtrusively in rows, fir- bridges and dikes where casualties were
‘* ing in volleys till the enemy became discour- sometimes rather indiscriminate.
“. aged or were all casualties. Using the extreme patience and stealth for
~ Asa last resort, grenades could be deployed which they were known, Vietnamese sappers
2 by hand at any enemy still standing. There were able to achieve some truly remarkable
. was even talk of deploying an electrically booby-trap installations. These included deto-
“ fired, single-blast device from a truck or track, nating up through tunnel entrances when the
* providing a tremendous response capacity for covering plates were slid aside. Traps were hid-
use when Gls ran into a road ambush. den in rice shocks and fired into paddy dikes
It is interesting to note that by the time from spider holes at places where Gls were
“\s Vietnam rolled around, U.S. Gls had a device likely to take refuge. They were also set to rake
«Y Named after the legendary Scottish two-handed paths along which American soldiers were
swords, Claymore antipersonnel mines met all likely to patrol.
of the original criteria in a most admirable U.S. soldiers used tens of thousands and
,, fashion, The mines were cheap, effective, easily perhaps millions of claymores in Vietnam in
z+ deployed, and ideally suited for remote-control what amounted to their first battle use. They
detonation. They guarded paths, became the went over in a very big way. Deployed in con-
Core of ambushes, and were used to protect junction with infrared and night-vision
+ bridges, gates, and outer-perimeter wire with devices, they virtually stopped Vietcong (VC)
malittle risk to the soldier. night attacks. Claymores were often fired on

189
 Ragnar’s Big Book of Homemade. Weapons

the river when the user heard movement in Gls relied heavily on claymores for perimeter
the darkness—similar to the ones we fired in defense, remote ambushes, and early warning
Ecuador, but reportedly they usually got more when the enemy stumbled into them outside
than ducks. the wire.
As aresult, old Victor Charlie had to Since the Vietnam War, Hating that has .
develop other nonguerrilla tactics with occurred—including in the most recent war-
which to keep pressure on Americans. One fare in Iraq—has change anyone mind
of these tactics was to make additional use regarding claymores.
of artillery, especially mortars. Human- Principally because of their simple, effective .
wave attacks, they found, were no longer operation, claymores are now standard-issue |
effective offensively. weapons for American fighting men. During
Not only did mortar rounds produce casu- desperate times they can provide a significant
alties, but near misses also disrupted carefully margin for survivors. Although simple to
placed arrays of claymores, cut their wires, make and relatively easy to deploy, home-
and generally made them less reliable. made claymores have not been previously rec-
Yet as the war ground on, more and more ognized for personal use yy survivors.
‘

190
 CHAPTER 34

CLAYMORE MINE DEPLOYMENT

It appears to me that claymore antiperson- lem some thought. A claymore can double for ©
nel mines are one of the most uniquely effec- a rifleman in a foxhole on an overlook when
tive defensive weapons a survivor can own. personnel around the retreat are spread thin.
However, as of this writing, I have not been ' Electrical wire used to trigger claymores can
forced to defend my retreat using them. be run in booby-trap fashion or run hundreds
James Dunnigan, in his excellent and of feet to a central command post if that’s what
exhaustive book How to Make War, records his- the situation demands. In some cases one can
toric casualty rates among soldiers for vehicle do both, assuming one has sufficient time and
ccidents, small arms fire, artillery, venereal energy to make adequate preparation.
iseases, and other similar maladies troopers Two cautions apply to claymores, which
are likely to encounter. Yet he makes no sepa- ‘amateurs may neglect or feel inclined to
rate mention of antipersonnel mines other ignore:
than remarking briefly that “they are a prob- 1. Do not plan to use claymores to defeat
lem for the unfortunate foot soldier.” Perhaps vehicles. They are not suited to that purpose.
extensive American use of claymores led to the Chances are that you could not immediately
other guys suffering all the casualties. One knock out even a farm truck with it, causing
would think, however, that if claymores are as the intruding operators to be extra cautious for
effective as they seem in theory that they the device you will have planted on down the
would rate a mention in How to Make War. road that could actually knock out the vehicle.
Despite the currently available statistics, I Since claymores are cheap, easy, and
remain convinced that cheap, easily built durable (remaining on duty for weeks ata
claymores would be absolutely devastating in time with little maintenance), they are far
the hands of survival paramilitarists. more effective for the passengers inside a vehi-
Claymores can be useful wherever intruders cle than the vehicle itself. Place claymores
are likely to move, park their vehicles, store high in trees, aimed at spots where vehicles
goods,or pass through choke points. Clay- are likely to park and discharge their crews.
mores are ideal for protecting access to one’s Mines emplaced in the road to blow a tire or
retreat, preventing gates from being forced track off a vehicle are more effective against
open, funneling people in kill zones in open vehicles. You may wish to supplement the
fields, and closing roads through hilly or mine with a claymore set to take out the vehi-
wooded places. There are thousands of places cle’s personnel, but do the main job on the
where one could hide a device with a 40-foot vehicle with a mine.
ontal kill radius if he simply gave the prob- If it is totally impractical to mine one’s

191

4p
 Ragnar’s Big Book of Homemade Weapons
2
road, instead, clear out an inviting parking or fell uselessly on their faces. At other times,
area away from the retreat that unfamiliar mud and rain so dampened the devices that
intruders are likely to use. Protect the area they were ineffective when they did discharge.
with claymores set to wipe out a crew from vir- Another pervasive problem often encoun-
tually any direction. tered invoived the bad guys creeping in and
2. Make certain that the first bank of clay- turning the devices around so that the busi-
mores does not destroy the wiring or triggers ness end faced the original owners. At times
on the second set of devices. In other words, this was done in the dark of night or even by
plan not to shoot down the second line of clay- surreptitious members of the indigenous pop-
mores with the first, assuming one sets upa ulation working on the installation. GIs coun-
primary and secondary defense system. tered this threat by placing white strips of tape
As an added note to this caution, be aware of on the back of the claymores. By so doing,
the back blast from these animals. These are not they could tell ata glance if any tampering
military-grade devices having a rear kill range had occurred. They also found they had to
of only 15 meters. Back blasts on homemade - keep weeds and grass trimmed down behind
claymores easily strip the leaves from bushes claymore installations so that they could
and low lying trees up to 20-meters to the rear. observe the emplacements at all times.
Apparently our plastic back-blast shields are It was common for Gls to place lone clay- ,
not as tough as commercial models. They mores 200 or 300 hundred meters out in the
vaporize into sharp pieces, propelled backwards country at a trail intersection or at places when
at very high velocity. However, the plastic pieces a path packed down over a rice paddy dike.
are extremely light, carrying little residual ener- During the night they monitored with seismic
gy for any distance. and infrared devices. When they sD
Use caution that different levels of these movement, they triggered the explosives.
devices set on posts, trees, and the ground are Other than a straight run of electrical wire
placed so they do not knock each other out to a central command post, there are two iden-
either by front blast or back blast. This may tical “trip” triggers that work for 99 percent of
involve burying one’s lines a few inches under ambushes. Both are extremely simple, which
ground, placing the front device high in a tree, perhaps explains their effectiveness.
or simply aiming them in such a way that To produce trigger one, strip the insulation
they do not impinge upon each other. from about 6 inches of two ends of number 14
Vietnam-era GIs who deployed claymores electrical wire. Twist the two bare leads in
reported.that they encountered several exten- loose coils around each other, being sure that
sive problems. Nevertheless, most who actual- only bare wire touches insulation and not bare
ly relied on them in ambushes or to protect wire to bare wire. Connect one side to a hidden
their fronts spoke highly of the damage inflict- trip wire and place a battery in the circuit to
ed by claymores. energize it. When the wire is pulled, it will
The veterans did mention some disadvan- touch bare wire to bare wire, completing the
tages. Weather was often a real headache for circuit and detonating the device.
users. In Some extreme cases, lightning storms Another triggering device involves simply
prematurely discharged the carefully placed placing a trip wire with a-peg in the end to sep-
charges. This needlessly exposed the men’s arate the two legs of an electrical circuit
presence and left approaches to their bunkers wrapped around a spring-type clothespin.
undefended at a time when it was impossible When a wire connected to the peg is pulled,
to install fresh units. the peg will slip out and allow the two jaws of
In other instances, heavy rains created seas the clothespin to come together, thereby
of mud too unstable to support the devices. The touching 'the two ends of bare wire TES) (
claymores were either engulfed by moving mud and completing the circuit.
 Not all applications for which a survivor claymores from remote rifle pits. He can
ight use a claymore can be handled with a observe intruders from afar, taking whatever
‘trip wire. At gates or on door jams, a simple action is appropriate and necessary. Teamed
“mouse trap rigged to snap when touched, with hand grenades and mortars, claymores
“completing, a circuit may be ideal. Yet in most make a somewhat remote retreat impregnable
areas where approaches are reasonably for all but the most-determined, well-trained |
observable, it is best to fire remotely via batter- enemy. In cities, heavy weapons produce situ-
ies or a generator at a central command post. ations similar to those in Beirut, wherein cer-
As with all devices of this nature, it is imper- tain areas became synonymous with danger.
ative to surprise the bad guys with the devices. After a few bitter experiences, people just
To the best of my knowledge, this is the first avoid those places.
widely circulated set of information on home- In the United States, one could conclude
made claymores. In that regard, reaiders are that after the first six or eight attempts at
already miles ahead of the competition. storming survivors’ retreats, even U.S. mar-
A person who knows the country well can shals would not have the stomach to continue
slip around unseen from spot to spot firing to try to breech these types of defenses.

193
 O
HOME CONSTRUCTION OF CLAYMORE MINES
CHAPTER 35

I hope readers will not take exception to my This is the top of the device. The hole is for use
mentioning one last time that, like homemade with a nail or wire as a means of mounting in
hand grenades and mortars, claymores are pos- final position for firing.
sible only if one has the C-4 secret. Other com- Drill two 3/8-inch holes along each edge of
mercial and homemade explosives either do not the 10-inch side of the slab. Put one on top and
work at all or work very poorly. With a pound of one on the bottom with about 8 inches separat-
C-4 made with ammonium nitrate and nitro- ing them. These holes will retain an 18-inch
methane and several pounds of lead or steel long, 1/4-inch diameter bolt or steel rebar
balls, claymores are relatively easy to make, piece, providing legs on which to punch the
Start the assembly process by purchasing a device into the ground. Weld an old washer to
length of heavy-duty 8-inch PVC waste pipe. the bolts near the bottom as an aid in pushing
Some plumbing shops that do extensive work the steel legs into the ground. Makers now have
for municipalities will have scrap ends and two options: they can hang their claymores or
pieces to sell at reduced rates. This pipe is very they can punch the legs into the ground.
tough yet easily worked and relatively inex- Twist and bend the bolts so that they slip
pensive, but it is sometimes a bit hard to find. through the 3/8-inch holes that extend solidly
Not all plumbing shops carry it or can order it below before proceeding to the next step.
for you. This pipe measures about 26.5 inches Carefully cut the top lip of a 1-quart Ziplock
in circumference, including pipe sidewall bag measuring 7 inches by 8.5 inches down on
thickness, which is about 1/4 of an inch. each side to just above the plastic bag. Be care-
Measure around the rim of the pipe, laying ful not to puncture the Ziplock bag, as it must be
off the distance in 9-inch increments. This will absolutely airtight after being filled and mount-
yield two 9-inch slabs and one that is not quite ed to the PVC slab. The plastic lip exposed by
9 inches. Using a common wood saw, cut slicing the top of the bag is used as an anchor
down on the pipe sidewall at the three places on which to tape the filled plastic bag.
marked, a total of 10 inches. Cut these three Fill the plastic bag full of washed ground
Pieces away from the main body of pipe, yield- ammonium nitrate. About 1 pound should be
ing three 9-inch by 14-inch somewhat curved packed into the bag. It is vitally important
Pieces of tough, resilient PVC pipe. These that the bag be filled bulging full. Regular mil-
Pieces constitute the back plates for three clay- itary-issue claymores contain one pound of C-
more antipersonnel mines. 4. Unless the bag is filled, the powder will not

O
Drill a 1/4-inch hole in the center top of the lay flat on the blast shield.
slab about 1/2 inch down on the 9-inch side. The explosive must lie in an even layer on

195
 Constructing a claymore by sawing out the back blast shield.
Use a 1/3 section of heavy-duty (1/4-inch side wall) PVC pipe.
Mark the rim of the pipe off in three equal (9-inch) segments.

the plate when placed in a vertical position. If

it slumps to the bottom of the bag, the effec-
tiveness of the device is compromised. Usually
this is caused by the bag not being packed full |
of powdered ammonium nitrate. Keep track of
the amount of fertilizer used so that the correct
Qe: of nitromethane can be set aside for
eventual inclusion in the Ziplock bag.
Carefully seal up the Ziplock device, and
test it thoroughly to be sure it is zipped, locked,
and airtight. This step is very important.
Many, if not most, Ziplock bags are defective
and do not actually seal correctly.
Use heavy-duty 1-inch wide fiberglass pack-
ing tape to attach the top lip ofthe filled
Ziplock bag to the top of the PVC plate. Runa
line of tape down the side of the bag as well as
along the bottom. Before setting the plate and
attached explosives upright (vertical), run two
more very tight strips of tape over the face of
the bag. They should be placed so as to keep
the explosive in the bag from settling down or
sagging. In all cases, keep the layer of powder
packed as flat as possible on the PVC plate.
Be careful that you do not permanently seal
Using a common hand saw, cut straight down from the marks,
the bag with tape; you must still add the producing three almost equal 9- x 10-inch slabs of PVC pipe.
nitromethane when you are ready to use the
claymore, I leave two small lips of the Ziplock approximately 700 .38-caliber hardened-steel
untaped so the liquid can be added in two places. balls imbedded in 1 pound of puttylike C-4.
@ Government-issue claymores contain Hardened steel is used because it is cheaper

196
Drill 3/8-inch holes in the corners of the slab along the 10-inch side. Thread 1/4-inch bolts or rebar through the slab to be used lat-
eras legs on which to mount the device.

effective against vehicles—another reason

they are used in commercial designs. Asa rule,
any round lead, iron, or steel ball from .28 to
.45 caliber will work. Home builders generally
report that securing enough suitable, reason-
ably priced projectiles is one of the most chal-
lenging aspects of this project. :
Generally, it is better to use more easily
obtained 00 or other buckshot that can be pur-
chased at most full-service sporting goods
stores, Double 0 buck is .34 inches in diameter.
There are about 98 to the pound. Theoretical
maximum range is 685 meters. Practical
range in homebuilt claymores seems to be
about 35 to 50 meters, although J wouldn't
knowingly stand in front of one 200 yards out.
Seven hundred rounds of most effective
Pack a 1-quart Ziplock bag full of washed ground ammonium
lead buckshot sizes weigh 4 to 6 pounds. That
nitrate, Secure the bag in as flat a manner as possible to the and explosives produce a device weighing
PVC slab. Do not allow the powder to slump to one end of the ' close to 8 pounds, far more than commercial
bag or the other. Secure it with sticky packing tape. claymores and probably larger than needed
by most survivors. ‘
and more reliable than lead, which can
I have discovered that about 3 pounds of
deform at the blast and fly off erratically.
projectiles or about 300 to 400 pellets work
Claymore projectiles do not have to travel
down a barrel that quickly wears out, allowing well in front of our 1-pound C-4 pack.
Although results on actual live targets are still

OC
the use of steel.
questionable, the load appears to be effective.
Hardened-steel balls are marginally more
It will hack down brush about 35 meters away
 Approximately 3 pounds of .30-caliber steel ball bearings
packed tightly into a Ziplock bag. These projectiles must be
placed one deep in an even layer over the explosive.

in a very laudatory fashion. Given the slight

concave configuration of the PVC panel, con-
centration of pellets seems very nice.
Easily the most difficult mechanical task in
building a claymore is setting the lead or steel
balls in place. The resulting layer of projectiles
must completely and evenly cover the explo-
sive packet without major gaps in spacing and
without laying them two deep in some places.
This layer of projectiles must lie vertically,
tightly on the explosive. ©
Pellets used in commercial models are phys-
ically pressed into the puttylike C-4. In the case
of homebuilt claymores, this is not possible.
My first trial many years ago involved
stringing number 4 split-shot fishing sinkers
on weak monofilament line. Eventually I wove
these over the explosive, covering it complete-
ly. It was an operationally successful plan, but
it was extremely tedious and expensive to set
up and supply. P
The best plan involves placing just enough
projectiles in a 7-inch by 8.5-inch quart
Ziplock bag to fill it with no holes or gaps but
not allowing the projectiles to pile up in any
one place. Having created a smooth, flat pack-
et of projectiles, lay two pieces of stiff card-
eo” Finished claymore with projectiles taped firmly.in place and
on front and back of the Ziplock packet. electric primer in place.

198
 EY Building and Keeping Your Arsenal Secure
a ‘

Claymore guards path. In a real situation, the user would

have hidden the electrical lines to the device.

View of the back of the claymore. Be extremely careful of the

back blast on these devices, which is severe.

Tape these together rigidly, still holding the

shot in a flat, smooth configuration.
Using supersticky packing tape, seal the
packet of buckshot flat and tight against the
explosive. Again, be careful to leave access
into the powdered ammonium nitrate.
When ready to use, it is much easier to use
a small funnel with a short segment of rubber
hose attached to pour the nitromethane into
the inner packet. We probe the bag open with
Q small, wooden rod. Presence of many layers
of thick, tough tape can make this far more Coded bottle containing the correct amount of nitromethane
difficult than one would initially suspect. for each device is stored with the mines.
Prime the device using a standard num-

199°
 Ragnar’s Big Book of Homemade Weapons
ber 8 electrical detonating cap. I sometimes Field life is probably several months or
gluea 1-inch piece of 50-grain primer cord more, although I don’t know that with certain-
to the cap as a booster. Conventional wis- ty. The maximum time I have kept charged
dom suggests this is not necessary, but it is claymores is about four days.
good insurance. : These claymores really speak up when
Place the device where it will do the most going off. Keep out of the blast and, of course,
good, push the cap down inside the explosive, do not underestimate their forward or rear-
attach drop wires and one leg ofthe battery, ward range. Be extremely cautious. Homebuilt
and it’s show time. Given enough time and claymores are for desperate people in desper-
thought, I intend to rig my devices with both a ate circumstances who have taken the time to
remote- and trip-detonating system. learn to handle high explosives.
 CHAPTER 36.

INTRODUCTION

Weapons caching has been an important Initially, only the French Communists were
strategy in at least two of the major wars organized enough to carry out a credible pro-
fought in the past fifty years. gram of opposition to the Germans, (Some his-
Initially, it may seem strange to view torians downplay their role, but it was the
weapons caching as having a significant Communists against the Fascists, and the
: impact on World War II, but in the case of occu- United States supported the Communists.)
pied France from 1940 to 1944, the willingness Some thirty years later, the United States
and ability of the French Resistance to take ‘lost in Vietnam, in part because of the elabo-
delivery of weapons, move them around the rate, careful, weapons caches set up in patient,
country, and then safely store them against the thorough, oriental fashion by the Vietnamese.
day of need contributed in part to the defeat of Like the Resistance in World War II, the able,
the Nazis. Although the Resistance efforts were careful Vietcong made great use of weapons
considered by many to be relatively puny (they caches to defeat an opponent that thought
used only three thousand pounds of C-4 for itself smarter, better organized, and more tech-
their entire operation, less than one good-sized nologically advanced.
bomb from a B-24 Liberator), they were more Correlations between the Vietcong, who
effective at sabotaging the Nazi war effort by were Stalinist Communists, and members of
stopping the production and flow of munitions the French Resistance, who were more Trotsky-
than the entire bomber command, and inad- like, are perhaps coincidental; at the very least
vertent civilian casualties from Resistance the link is ironic. Nevertheless, like the French
activities were very light. before them, burying weapons was, for the
' The Resistance organized very quickly after Vietnamese, a key tactical strategy. Each time
the occupation of France in June 1940. Because they suffered reversal, their weapons went
the French, like the English, had little history of safely underground, beneath flooded rice pad-
dies, or into the swamps. ;
private firearm ownership, there were few
weapons on hand with which to commence Weapons caching technologies have
action, (Historical records show that some changed dramatically since World War II.
* farmers had shotguns, but virtually none Methods of resealing containers and evacuat-
Owned pistols or rifles legally.) The first British ing moisture have advanced to the point that
agent into Paris radioed back that they had technological problems are no longer a con-
but two revolvers and two rifles.” This sideration. Caching difficulties with which the
Qppraisal may not have been entirely accu- French Resistance labored mightily can be
Tate, but it was the one accepted by the English. handled today without much thought as eC)

203
 Ragnar’s Big Book of Homemade Weapons

what we would do without inexpensive plastic how the cache would be built as to where it
@:::: fittings, moisture-absorbing chemicals, would be placed.
and modern greases. Based upon the great emphasis some law
The Resistance had to work with heavy, enforcement people place on thoroughly
clumsy, shiny aluminum tubing that cracked, © searching a suspect's home, yard, and grounds
corroded, leaked, and bent out of shape, cre- with sensitive electronic devices, official
ating almost insurmountable opening and searchers and seekers appear to have identified
reclosing problems. Modern plastic pipe and weapons caching as a particularly threatening
fittings found in plumbing supply shops alle- activity. These officials have learned the lessons
viate these problems to a large extent. Like its of history better than average citizens suspect.
aluminum predecessor, most plastic pipe is so Americans in Vietnam knew the Vietcong
tough it can be dropped out ofa plane. were getting weapons from irregular caches, and
Because technologies related to locating a they learned that they needed to locate these
cache have also made quantum leaps, the caches whenever possible. Today many Amer-
person whose strategy includes weapons icans realize the United States is in a race against
caching must now spend more time and firearms confiscation in which the lessons of the
‘energy deciding where to place a cache. This past will play a significant role. This book is dedi-
is in contrast to World War II, when the cated to those who wish to look to the future with
Resistance had to give as much thought to both mistrust and a will to prevail.
 —CUCHINGAND YOU
CHAPTER 37>

Dos

Ray Wilson travels oftén on business to “They won’t respond even if I do call,” the
Washington, D.C. As a professional geologist, manager explained patiently. “What are you,
he feels it is important to keep in touch with some kind of hick? District police only look
members of his profession in the National into holdups of more than five hundred do}-
Geological Survey Office. Taxpayers cover his lars, shootings, or major drug deals.”
travel expenses, so Dr. Wilson can think of no “But I can’t go back out there again,”
valid monetary reason for not taking the trips Wilson pleaded passionately. “They will tear
as often as possible. me to pieces.”
On one such trip several years back, “If they do tear you to pieces, then the
Wilson, the admittedly small-town boy, decid- police will investigate, but I suggest you wait
ed to stop at a drugstore on Wisconsin Avenue, here for fifteen or twenty minutes and then
in the heart of Georgetown, at about 10:00 leave with several other customers,” the man-
p.m. On his way into the store from the public ager persisted.
Sidewalk, he found it necessary to wade Finally that’s what he did. Wilson walked
through a number of D.C.’s finest, most persis- out of the store with a group of Washington
tent, obnoxious panhandlers, Being froma natives who knew how to deal with panhan-
part of the western United States where these dlers. On the way back to his hotel room,
sorts of people virtually do not exist, Wilson Wilson vowed never to let such an incident
was not equipped to deal with the situation in happen again. Lesser people might have set-
which he found himself. tled for a relatively wimpy can of tear gas or
Sensing his fear, the moochers pressed him some similar device, but not Wilson. He was
vigorously, ignoring other potential donors. an exploration geologist, accustomed to wild
Two of them stood together in the middle of and wooly situations.
the sidewalk, effectively blocking his way into I got involved when Wilson asked me to
the store. Somehow these people felt Wilson sell him a small handgun. In the course of
owed them money, a claim they pressed even the sale, he told me about the incident in
more vocally and physically. when they real- Georgetown and explained how he planned
ized he was uncertain about the situation. to deal with this sort of thing in the future. It
Once inside the store, the now very shaken was interesting to keep track of events as
Wilson tried to persuade the store manager they unfolded.
that he had been the victim of a rough, dan- When Wilson flew into our nation’s capital,
gerous encounter. He pleaded with the man- he always went through National Airport.
ager to call the police. From there he took a taxi directly to the Key
 Ragnar’s Big Book of Homemade Weapons

Bridge Marriott where, for reasons of access, routine maintenance or repair would be
cost, and comfort, he liked to stay. Washington, much greater. es :
D.C., is packed full of hotels, but for those who Recently, airline search procedures have
have not stayed there, the Key Bridge Marriott become more sophisticated. Today, Wilson
is characterized by larger than normal gar- might not get away with carrying a pistol
dens and sundry strips of shrubbery, many of through in checked baggage. In all probabili-
which are inside the hotel along various courts ty, he would have to smuggle a pistol in using
and walks that are out of sight.from any but a private automobile or public ground trans-
those few guests who use them. portation, such as a bus or train. Since he
At the time this incident occurred, the air- launched his personal protection program,
lines did not fluoroscope or otherwise examine virtually every criminal in Washington, D.C—
checked baggage to any great extent. Wilson probably some panhandlers included—has |
put his pistol and a box of ammo in his suit- upgraded his weapons. Wilson believes that .
case and sent it on through to National anyone without a sidearm in that city is ata
Airport. As was his custom, he stayed at the real disadvantage.
same Marriott outside of Georgetown. Caching a pistol in crime-plagued
However, this time Wilson retrieved the pis- Washington, D.C., is an excellent example of
tol from his suitcase and carried it with him in a modern-day self-defense strategy. In the
an ankle holster as he went about his business burgeoning struggle for survival, this is one
in D.C, He knew which buildings were protect- practical application for caching that may be-
ed by metal detectors, so he would leave the useful to a number of citizens. But it is only
pistol in his briefcase with a security officer one of several.
when he went through a security system.
When ready to leave the city, Wilson in- INVESTMENT
spected the two clips, wrapped the pistol and
ammo in rust-inhibiting paper, and sealed Backin the mid-’30s, when the Federal
both in quality plastic bags he had purchased Firearms Act was enacted, a close friend who
just for this occasion. After sealing up the happened to be the sheriff in Tippecanoe
bags, he buried them about twelve inches deep County, Indiana, bought three 1928 Navy-
in one of the Marriott flower beds. He picked a "model Thompson submachine guns for pri-
place where there was a distinctive mark on vate use. Because of the new law, popular
the wall to facilitate finding his cache the next opinion held that these sort of guns were just
time he came to D.C. about worthless. He purchased them for thirty
Whenever Wilson arrives in D.C. now, he dollars apiece. He coated the guns with grease
simply retrieves his piece, performs any neces- inside and out, put them in a rough box built
sary cleaning, and goes about Washington of heavy cyprus planks, and buried them in
equal to any three muggers. Today, Wilson the ground for long-term storage,
maintains significantly increased peace of Because of the limited technology of that
mind while moving around from place to era, he found he had to dig the Thompsons up
place in the big city. (Someday a Bernard from time to time to be sure they remained in
Goetz-type incident may occur, and Mr. Wilson good shape. They kept well over the years, due
will fault me for putting his account in print.) largely to the ideal location in which he chose
By caching in a common area suchas a to place the cache. Tippecanoe County is char-
flower bed, Wilson does not have to worry acterized by well-drained, sandy soil. By
about requesting the same room in the avoiding swamps and bog holes, he was able
Marriott every time he comes to town. Above- to keep the weapons absolutely rust-free until
ground locations might work, but the chances the time came tosellthem. _
@ having his pistol discovered in the course of - My friend the sheriff retired in 1958, and
,

_ 206
 te
" became a
valid investment strategy.
Should semiautomatic weapons— -
including so-called assault rifles—sud-
denly be banned, those who have them
and are willing and able to put them in
the ground for a few years will later find
their investment has doubled or tripled.
Already we have seen common AK-47s
and AR-15s go from a little over four
hundred dollars to a thousand dollars
or more, : :
Ammo is an excellent item to con-
sider.when looking at investment
caching. It keeps as well or better-ina
cache than weapons, and because it is
consumed rapidly under some circum-
ieee es, stances, it is not nearly as easily re-
This Walther PPK with extra magazines and a box ofammo has been ‘placed as one might initially’ suppose,
buried in.a flower bed at a Washington, D.C., hotel for nearly fifteen Gun nuts who are accustomed to pop-
years. The owner carries the weapon for protection whenever he does ping down to-the local gun shop for a
business in the capital city. ‘
fresh supply of powder, bullets, or load-
ed rounds should give this concept
some serious thought. 4 :
Early in the surplus military weapons
era I purchased two.million rounds of
ammo on behalf of a firearms shop for
which I worked. The lot included 9mm
-Parabellum, 8mm Japanese pistol,
7.62mm NATO, 8mm Lebel, 8mm
Mauser, 6.5 x 55 Swedish Mauser, and ©
some 6.5 x 54R Dutch ammo. We paid
.two cents per round on the average, and
I was certain we would never get our
forty thousand dollars back out of the
deal, much less turn a profit. However,
when surplus weapons started to sell in
large numbers, we priced most of the’
Walther PPK double-bagged for burial.
calibers at ten dollars per hundred
. rounds for the first six months, then
his wife contracted cancer in early 1964. He twelve dollars and fifteen dollars until it was
dug the weapons up for the last time and took’ all sold. ae ce. ,
them to town to sell. As it worked out, they Some calibers sold better than others, but |
were an excellent investment for the man, we made excellent money on the entire lot. It"
having appreciated many times over. He was only one of many lots of ammo we pur-
Secured top dollar for weapons that were virtu- chased for resale.. Through the years we |
ally unavailable from any other source.

O
: always scraped together enough cash to pur- _
In this instance, weapons caching went chase any odd or surplus ammo available. At
beyond being a self-preservation plan and one time, we had at least $100,000 tied up in
 .25-, .32-, and .41-caliber rimfire ammo
as well as less exotic numbers such as
303 Savage, 6mm Lee Navy, .25-20 sin-
gle shot, .30 Remington, .33 Winchester,
and many others.
Right now, while cheap surplus ammo
is still available, I might suggest that it
would be a “no-brainer” to buy upa
large supply of the more commonly used
calibers and put it underground until the
time when it becomes scarce. Ammo vir-
tually never goes down in price.
In my personal cache, I have some
surplus 8mm Mauser ammo, manufac-
tured in Turkey in 1914, which was orig- Burying your semiautos now, before they
are banned, goes beyond self-
inally part of a two-million-round order defense or self-preservation, It is a valid financial investment Strategy.
placed in 1962. It came to us in sealed
cans. Other than the small amount I
blasted away for fun, I left the ammo in’
the sealed containers and resealed it in
cache tubes. Now, more than seventy-
five years after its manufacture, the
ammo still fires reasonably well. About
one round in fifty will not fire, but since
it is mostly blasting ammo manufac-
tured under questionable circumstances,
I don’t consider this to be an insur-
mountable problem.

PERSONAL PROTECTION
Weapons can be cached for isolated Cache ammunition in smaller tubes alongside your weapons, Since
circumstances when personal safety is ammo rarely, if ever, decreases in value, it is @ good investment, And it
threatened and a sure method of self- may not always be as freely available as it is today.
defense is needed to provide peace of
In other places, gun nuts with large collec-
mind, and they can also be cached for invest-
tions of guns and ammo may be victims of this
ment purposes. But for most people, weapons
force as well. A law-abiding gun owner may
caching provides safe, long-term storage of
thwart the robbery of his home, only to be
their best means of personal protection.
harassed unmercifully by the media. Who
As laws change ‘and rules are promulgated by
wants to read about himself in the paper—
state and national legislators, the need for
caching may become especially pressing. “Local man found with dozens of guns,
thousands of rounds of ammo.” No matter
Citizens of California and New Jersey who wish
to remain at least on an equity base with crimi- that there were only nine guns and that three
nals, or who have expensive guns they do not were single-shot 410s that you bought for your
wish to throw onto an uncertain market, are kids and that “thousands of rounds” is only
already victims of a force that may be a harbin- four or five cartons of 22s all purchased ata
e of things to come throughout this nation. dollar per box. The media will fry gun owners
if they get any chance at all. Just the fact that

208
 Building and Keeping Your Arsenal Secure
Most really clever, innovative cachers
require time to develop their programs.
Especially for city. dwellers with few
burying options, caching done under
duress is never as good as long-term
plans that may involve some sophisti-
cated masonry or carpenter work involv-
ing rerouting water pipes and so on,
Many inner-city gun owners fear that
possessing weapons will, ironically, sin-
gle them out as targets for common
criminals (as opposed to official crimi-
nals), who either want weapons for their
own use or know where they can sell all
the quality weapons and ammo they
can steal to people with all the money to
These 8mm Mauser rounds, made in 1914,
have been cached since buy them. Preventing your weapons .
left round, only one in fifty fails
1964. Despite the corrosion seen on the
from being stolen is another reason for
to fire,
caching, and it is a worthy one.
a gun nut has several weapons and more than wae
a handful of ammo is more than enough
cause for the media to come down very hard
* onhim. Though our hobby constitutes no You can build clever hides that allow you
*. threat to anyone except criminals, every gun to look at your weapons from time to time.
owner is held in contempt and suspicion. You may still wish to tape a box of ammo to
Gun owners who foresee themselves in the bottom of a dresser drawer or the lid of the
these types of uncomfortable circumstances toilet tank, but putting the bulk of your guns
-
may wish to consider caching all of the in a good cache now, when the time is avail
weapons they do not plan to use ona fre- able to do it right—before the thieves break in
quent basis. Those who do it now, under rela- and while personal protection is still an
" tively easy, unpressured circumstances, may option—may be the smartest decision you, as
be the real winners in the long run. They will a prudent gun owner, can make. If nothing
have enough time to think through their else, your cache can be viewed as an invest-
caching program adequately so that they can ment that will pay great dividends in one way
do it.right. . . u or another. ..

209
 CHAPTER 38

MODERN CACHING TECHNOLOGY

Since World War.-II, remarkable new cache. In the case of a silo, it might be danger-
advances in caching technology have drasti- ous for the authorities to search it because of
cally altered almost every aspect of strategic dangerous gases produced inside.
weapons storage. Caching equivalents to However, septic tanks and sewers, which
atomic warfare make it possible to hide appear at first to offer some of the most inter-
weapons under virtually any environmental esting possibilities, do notin reality have
circumstance. It is now possible to store your much to recommend them. Recently, the DEA,
guns in a sewer, a lake, a running stream, a FBI, and federal marshals have pumped virtu-
iy vat of acid, a freezer, a chimney, or a host of ally every septic tank they encountered at
Qin: places that the bad guys are either places in the country where they were search-
-% unlikely or unwilling to think about. This is ing for drugs or munitions. It has been just
the good news. about their first order of business when search-
The bad news is that the other side also has ing for contraband. Perhaps it is a logical
some fantastic new technology to work with. extension of the Nazi experience of uncover-
Some ofthe space-age gizmos they use are so ing caches in refuse containers, but at this
good that the cacher must use all of his wit point it seems like good advice not to cache in
and intellect to keep the cache intact. It’s the septic tanks or garbage receptacles. Bomb
age-old rule of measure and countermeasure, squads look first into garbage cans and waste-
of technology ratcheting each side upina baskets, leaving one to conclude these sorts of
kind of lock step. Yet the new technology we locations are not particularly secure.
have presents opportunities unheard of even a For the purposes of this analysis, one must
few years ago. It would, for instance, be advis- assume that there is a great difference between
able under some circumstances to place your large weapons caches and hiding a weapon or
Cache tube inside a furnace closure next toa two in your apartment. Subsequent chapters
firebox after wrapping it in a space blanket. will cover hiding personal weapons. Many
There are many other locations around the caching and hiding techniques are similar, but
home or farm and at the workplace where the there is a difference—in psychology if not
bad guys either will not look or will be reluc- mechanics. To be successful, the cacher must
tant to search thoroughly. A farm silo or the understand this and be able to distinguish
bottom of a large granary are excellent choic- between the two.
es. It would take weeks and tens of thousands Modern caching techniques are not partic-
of dollars for searchers to empty these bins on ularly difficult when viewed in their compo-
Y i outside chance that they might contain a nent parts. The techniques can be exacting but

ation
eopt
 Ragnar’s Big Book of Homemade Weapons
are not difficult to master. Sloppy execu-
tion will lead to poor results, while the
opposite is certainly trae—careful exe-
cution will lead to excellent results.
My first experience with a weapons
cache was much the same as that of the
sheriff from Tippecanoe County. It was a
long time ago, but as I remember, we
took a Gl-surplus wooden box that once
housed three 3.5-inch bazooka rockets,
disassembled our weapons, stacked the
various parts neatly in the box, and filled
it up with molten grease. We purchased
the grease from a farm supply store in
five-gallon pails. I believe it took two full
pails to cover everything completely. Since many military-type weapons have limited amounts of wood to dete-
-We removed the wooden stocks from tiorate, they tend to store well, The laser sight must be removed and
placed in a smaller cache tube.
the weapons and stored them in anoth-
er location, Wood will deteriorate in
half, for instance, might be okay, but remov- ;
grease much faster than steel, we reasoned,
_ ing a scope from a rifle to be cached is often of
but this was not a particularly wise decision. ‘
questionable value (although sometimes it
Anyone who noticed the stocks would have
must be done). F
suspected a nefarious weapon or two might be How does one reassemble and rezeroa
lurking somewhere near as well. Modern mili- - previously cached rifle with its scope? Test-fir-
_ tary weapons are seldom constructed using ing semiautomatic weapons attracts quite a ©
wooden stocks, but not all of us have the privi- lot of attention. Rezeroing a scoped rifle over
lege of caching the most modern weapons. larger distances may be out of the question
Some citizens, for instance, may feel harassed for some city dwellers. (Maybe that’s why the
to the point that they simply wish to cache a hero in many spy stories is never successfully
superaccurate bolt action rifle. Today I would shot by the villain sniper.) In occupied
leave the wood with the metal, assuming that
France, the situation became so tough that
both will last a minimum of twenty years in replacements for fallen Resistance members
an airtight container. could not be trained with firearms. They sim-
Another problem we had with storing the ply had no place to practice or to sight-in
parts separately was that some of the pieces weapons. This situation may seem unlikely
were misplaced. After a time, we didn’t know
in the United States, but I’ll bet few owners
for sure if they were in one cache or another. will be taking their semiautos to the range to
On one occasion we returned to a cache after a
practice in California.
great number of years only to discover that a
Modern caching equipment roughly breaks
key part was irretrievably lost. From then on, down into the following essential categories.
only complete weapons packages went into a
single cache. : PLASTIC CONTAINER
Even in a military context, disassembling a
weapon to save space may not be a particular-
Since most caches are placed in the ground
ly good idea. Unless the disassembly is very
in a vertical position, it is best to use standard
basic, small parts may be misplaced or hidden
round plastic plumbing pipe. Purchasing sec-
in the grease coating. Removing the stock
tions of pipe from the local plumber will not
from a Thompson or splitting a Schmeisser in
be a problem since they sell dozens of similar
Installing the end cap on a four-inch cache tube. Most cachers find that
four-inch tubes are too small for anything except ammunition and maga-

A new sixty-inch
section of eight-
inch cache tube,
ready to be filled
with weapons,

much surface area to sensitive metal

detectors. Always bury the tube so the
top is at least one foot below the surface.
Many army/navy surplus stores car-
ry polyurethane plastic barrels about
the size of fifty-five-gallon steel drums
that are intended for caching. They are
thick and tough with an adequate
screw-type lid through which most
weapons could be passed. Though these
barrels are fine for caching food and
medicine, they are not recommended
A four-inch cache tube will holdatremendous quantity of ammunition. for weapons. Their overall width, plus
the huge mass of steel they might con-
items to hundreds of people each day. When tain, make them extremely easy targets
the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms for modern metal detectors.
(BATF) people inquire, the clerk will have no Use the four-, six-, or eight-inch diameter
recollection of what you purchased. Ifa ques- . SDR (Sanitary, Drain, Refuse) pipe found at
tion does come up, tell the people at the virtually any full-service plumbing shop.
plumbing shop that you intend to construct a There is a lightweight and a heavy grade of
map tube or a fishing pole holder. four-inch pipe. Use only the heavyweight
Cache tubes must always be placed in the material if a four-inch cache tube is adequate.
ground vertically. Horizontal tubes expose too Six- and eight-inch tubing come only in heavy

213
 Ragnar’s Big Book of Homemade Weapons —

and extra-heavy grades. Inexperienced the most common cache tube size, for about
cachers will-try to get by on smaller tubes ini- $4.15. Some small stores must special-order
tially because they are easier to find and much eight-inch pipe and will want you to purchase
cheaper, but almost everyone eventually uses an entire ten-foot section.
eight-inch pipe for their cache tubes. There is a Various threaded plugs can be purchased
high-pressure, eight-inch plastic pipe called a for the tubes, but usually the best and cheap-
“olue boot,” but it far exceeds the needs—and est are simple slip-on end caps. Threaded fit-
perhaps the pocketbook—of most cachers. The tings are theoretically easier to get into and
wall thickness on blue boot pipeis almost more secure, but this is not always true out in
three-quarters of an inch. the field. Threaded caps clog with dirt and are
A section of eight-inch plastic pipe will often as difficult as slip caps to remove. They
hold quite a load of weapons. Count on plac- are no more impervious to water under most
ing at least two full-sized rifles, four assault circumstances than a simple, inexpensive
rifles, four or five pistols, and dozens of mag- grease-sealed end cap.
azines in a single eight-inch tube. (Enough, Plain end caps for four-inch pipe cost about
my friends claim, to start a revolution in
Central America.)
It is best to have the tube cut at a length of
sixty inches. This way, even the longest semi-
automatic weapons will fit inside the tube,
and the parts will have an opportunity
to settle into the lower end, farther from
the probing eye of a metal detector.
Heavy-duty, four-inch SDR pipe
retails for about $.95 per foot, six-inch
pipe for about $1.55, and eight-inch,

Common eight-inch slip-type end cap used with a Top Left: Permanently glue the lower cap on the.cache tube using ABS
grease closure on a cache tube. i : cement purchased from a plumbing supply house. Top Right: ABS cement
used to attach caps to cache tubes. Bottom: Eight-inch slip-type cap for
cache tube with grease gun used to attach cap.

214
Building and Keeping Your Arsenal Secure

Whatever closure system you

choose, you will cement one cap on
the lower end of your cache tube per-
manently. There is no reason to install
expensive fittings on the end of a pipe
that will be in the ground, Use heavy
pump grease to coat the end of the
pipe and the cap on the top access
end. After you've glued the bottom cap
on, you can check the seal to deter-
mine whether the tube will hold pres-
sure by pushing acapontothetop .
end. If there is a leak, the cap will pop
off the top of the tube right away. If it
is a good seal, air pressure will build
up in the tube, preventing the cap
from settling on the end of the pipe
initially, but once the air pressure
equalizes, you'll be able to push it on.
Ahand grease gun is used to apply common lube grease to the end ofan
(If the cap absolutely cannot be
eight-inch cache tube prior to placement of the end cap. pushed on the tube because of the air
pressure, drill a small hole in the cap
to allow the trapped air to escape.
Pressurizing the tube provides an addi-
tional barrier against moisture. Do not
drill a hole to relieve this pressure
unless it is absolutely necessary.) At
times it is very difficult to pry these
pressurized caps off the tubes once
they equalize and “setup.” lusea
small hammer to tap them off ora
piece of two-by-four as a pry. Some
cachers use standard PVC glue to place
a small handle on the cap so it can be
pulled and rotated to open.
If you feel you must remove the scope
from a rifle to be cached, it is always
best to place it in its own internal plastic
pipe container. This isn’t the best situa-
tion, but it is way ahead of anything
else if you must cache a scoped rifle.
Grease sealant being applied to the inside of the end cap.
For all practical purposes, these
! sealed plastic tubes are impervious to
$1.50, six-inch caps $6.90, and eight-inch slip the elements. Whatever is stored in them today
Caps $21. Female adapters into which a plug
could h : would certainly emerge in fine shape if dug up
Deccan
four-inch curefortoeduny
pipe, $16.20 ce tore
a six-inch pipe, and in the year 2001. If you are positive the cache
are not even made for eight-inch pipe. Plugs will remain in place ten years or more, it is
advisable to seal both ends. In this case, if you
for the two available sizes are $2 and $5 each.

215
 Ragnar’s Big Book of Homemade Weapons

wanted to use the enclosed weapons in

the year 2001, you would have to saw
the pipe open with a carpenter's saw.

RUST-PREVENTATIVE COATING

Treating weapons that are stored

within an airtight cache tube is a matter
of some debate among the caching fra-
ternity. Most cachers agree that it is best
to coat them with either regular grease.
or special oil made to prevent rust and
other deterioration. Some simply cache
their weapons as they came off the rack.
-Conoco makes a product called
“Cotton-Pickers Spindle Grease,” a spe-
cial rust preventative that protects met-
al parts as well as or better than any-
thing else around. The product is a thin
grease, almost liquid at room tempera-
ture, It sells for about twenty-five dollars
per five-gallon pail. In most sections of
the country it would be necessary to spe-
cial order it from a local petroleum
products distributor. ; ;
“Metal parts on weapons can be coated
with this material, and while it does not
harm wood in the short or intermediate
run, it may deteriorate it after very pro-
longed storage. The grease is thin enough
that it may all run off into the bottom of
the tube if the ground warms a bit.
Apparently, enough would remain to con-
trol rust for at least ten to fifteen years. Smaller 1 1/4-inch, 1 1/2-inch, and 2-inch cache tubes with slip-type end
' Cachers can also use the less exotic caps. These are useful for storing scopes, ammo, laser sights, and other
technique of applying a thin coating of small parts within the full-size tube.
regular lube grease to their weapons.
The coating can be as thick or thin as one
feels is appropriate. Some surplus shops stil] While it is also very effective, it probably is not
have the odd bucket of inexpensive Cosmo- as effective as blister packing (covered in
another chapter). Also, solid-packed cache
line around. This material, if one can find it,
will do the job very nicely. Expect to pay tubes are so heavy that it is difficult to carry
about seventy-five cents to a dollar per pound them to their burying place, and it is impossi-
for grease and about thirty-five cents a pound ble to remove or inspect the weapons in the
for surplus Cosmoline. ‘ tube once cached. Still, caches under these cir-
, cumstances are extremely stable. There is no
Invariably, the question arises—why not
pour the tube solid with grease? It canbe . way of knowing, but I suspect the contents
done, but it is a very expensive procedure. would remain in good shape for at least a
thousand years. If the cap were sealed, the

216
4 be could be placed on the ocean floor and tube permanently. Where the cache tube is
ill be expected to last a long, long time. located dictates how completely it must be
As an added precaution, you can cover the sealed. Tubes placed in swamps, stream beds,
weapons with grease or special rust-preventa- lakes, storm sewers, or acid baths must be
- tive oil and then wrap them in Valpon rust- completely sealed. In these cases, you proba-
: preventative paper. (Undoubtedly, you can bly should figure on gluing the cap in place.
purchase this paper, but I do not know where. (In spite of the expense and difficulty, marsh-
My best, most reliable source is a friend who es, streams, and lakes are excellent cache loca-
works in an automobile parts store and saves tions because searchers have a tough time
sheets of it for me.) Wrap this paper tightly using their sophisticated electronic-detection
around the weapon and/or the parts pack- devices. Under these circumstances, they may
ages. The grease on the weapons will tend to assume an errant reading because to do other-
hold the paper. wise would create a huge amount of work in
disagreeably cold and wet conditions.)
SILICA GEL

As a last measure to control any errant SOIL AUGER

moisture in the tubes,.you might want to place Correctly burying a cache tube is some-
at least two ounces of silica gel ina sixty-inch thing of an art; it can also be tedious and
tube that’s eight inches in diameter (less for expensive. During the early ’80s, I lived fora
smaller tubes), Silica gel is available from time in a very posh inner-city condominium. I
chemical supply warehouses for about five felt it was important that I set up a cache, but
dollars a pound, or you can ask your druggist obviously I could not do so with any safety
save the surplus packets and caps from the within the building. After contemplating the
ttles of pills he unpacks. Collect the surplus situation for several months, I decided to bury
once a month and you will be surprised at how it in one of the many shrubbery beds sur-
much you accumulate at no cost. Be sure to rounding the building.
use silica gel as a desiccant as opposed to the
Burying a cache tube necessitates the use of
other common chemical used for this purpose,
a soil auger. (It can be done with a shovel, but
calcium chloride, which is a Strong salt that
not very well.) Soil augers, used by farmers to
corrodes metal quickly under the right circum-
set fence posts, are sold in six- through twelv
stances, Place the silica gel in a cardboard con- e-
inch sizes at nursery and farm supply stores
tainer in which you have punched numerous
for about forty dollars each. Regular caliper-
small holes. Throw the cardboard container
type post hole digging tools are generally
into the tube right before séaling it up.
inadequate for the job of setting a cache tube
If the cache is poured solid with grease or
because they will not dig down deep enough.
the weapons are plastic sleeved, there is, of
Soil augers are connected to the turning
course, no reason to use a desiccant. Most
handle on top by a piece of three-quarter-inch
experienced cachers report that use of silica
pipe. The device will dig down about four feet.
gel is a nice gesture but not really important in
Augering the soil out of the hole is not difficult
terms of safe storage. If the weapons are only
lightly greased, silica gel might be useful, but under most circumstances. At four feet, you
must splice in an additional three-foot section
usually it seems to contribute little.
of three-quarter-inch pipe using a common
The most important step is to seal the tube
pipe union. Thus equipped, you can go down
thoroughly after it is in place and the parts are
_ another two feet or more, deep enough to
inserted. Use generous amounts of grease
Ground the cap mouth, and be certain the
Place a five-foot tube one foot underground.
air At the condo, it was a fine, bright winter
] is maintained unless you elect to seal the
- day in the desert. I put on an old pair of bib

217
ra
{eR ey

overalls and went out to the hedge bed

early one morning when I knew the
manager was out of town and started
digging like it was the most natural
thing in the world. Nobody recognized
me, and I was able to dig a twelve-inch
hole down to the required depth. (At
times, in gravelly soil, this is not as easy
as it sounds.) A twelve-inch hole pro-
duces a huge amount of loose material,
all of which I placed in burlap bags and
loaded in my car. I told one curious resi- Common soil augers of the type used by farmers to set fence posts are
available in sizes ranging from six to twelve inches. You should use a
dent that I was taking soil samples, and twelve-inch auger to place most cache tubes. A twelve-inch auger will dis-
that was my only inquiry. lodge an incredible pile of loose material from its hole, so plan ahead for
’ After the hole was completed, I slid disposal.
the tube into the space, covered the hole
with dirt, and rescattered the wood chips
from under the shrubbery back over the
new excavation. (Tubes placed in the
ground using this method are pretty
much permanent. Soil settles back in
around them, making the tube virtually
impossible to pull. It helps to file a bevel
on the lower cap so that the tube slides
easier, but even this does not provide
much assistance. Tubes placed in wet,
marshy conditions can be pulled witha
bit more ease, but even these require
quite a bit of work to retrieve intact.)
Later, during the crisp dark of even-
ing, I crept out of the condo with my
cache items. The shrubbery hid me, or!
could have been in a lot of trouble.
Quickly, I uncovered the tube with my
hands and slid the cache items down
A three-quarter-inch common pipe connects the digging head ofa soil
safely below. They resided there safe and . auger with its turning handle. ee
sound until 1985 when I moved back to
the country. It is helpful to place a disk cans are no different than members of the
attached to a dowel rod or rope in the bottom’ French Resistance or the Vietcong. If you will
of the tube so that you can retrieve small items ° but look at it from the perspective of the
more easily (assuming you will move items in authorities, you will realize the range of
and out of the cache). Otherwise , you may . options in the country are far greater than in °
have to fish out the small parts that fell to the the city. Sophisticated searchers at my condo
bottom with a magnet. would have realized that the flower beds were .
As this story demonstrates, people living in the only place I could have cached and may
cities will have a great many more problems have found them with sophisticated metal
successfully locating a cache than those in the detectors. However, it was the only option I,
country. In this regard, modern-day Ameri- had in those circumstances.

218

et
 tree and bore down with the auger. In
spring, the digging is very easy after the
initial three or four inches of gravel are
turned aside. The county government did
me a favor at one cache site when they
blacktopped the road, permanently seal-
ing in my cache tube. That cache will prob-
ably be there when I tum ninety. Certainly
no one will find it, and my guess is that the
contents will be in excellent shape.
If possible, bury chunks of steel in the
vicinity. of your cache—pieces of scrap,
large bolts and nuts, whatever will con-
fuse metal detectors. Place them in clus-
tered locations away from the cache to
create the illusion that the cache is some-
where near. Gls in Vietnam reported that
they found metal with their mine detec-
Dig down into the ground five to seven feet, depending on the length of tors in every cemetery. They also Teport-
the cache tube. Placing soil on the tarp (right) helps keep the visual ed that large numbers of weapons were
impact ofinstalling the tube to a minimum. almost always hidden in these same
: cemeteries. Yet, perhaps because of
social problems and plain old laziness,
they often did not dig in the cemeteries
where they got good readings. Unless the
authorities are powerfully motivated by
other sources of information, such as "
informants, witnesses, observed traffic to
the cache area, and so forth, they will
probably not work their way through a
large number of false readings.
If the cache tube is stored under an
incinerator, outdoor barbecue, or any
other place where heat may be a prob-
lem, place a piece of tinfoil or heavy
reflective paper over the top of the tube.
In some cases, it may be appropriate to
wrap the entire tube in reflective paper
(from a lumber yard) or in an old space
blanket.
In summary, build a good cache tube
After digging down four feet with the soil auger, splice in a three-foot out of SDR pipe and suitable caps, coat
Section of pipe so that the hole can be bored down deepenoughtohold the weapons with rust preventative
Metgacte: grease, wrap them in rust preventative
; ; paper, place them in the tube, and drop
#€ My favorite caching spot in the country is in a packet of silica gel if necessary. Seal the
Tight in the middle of a well-traveled gravel road. tube well and stand it vertically in a deep hole.
( a spot twenty feet from a large, distinctive Be aware that clever cache locations weigh

219
 Ragnar’s Big Book of Homemade Weapons

heavily in the equation and that mili-

tary-type weapons store far better than
commercial ones (especially if the com-
mercial types have extensive intricate
woodwork and glass sights). Scopes, if
you must remove them, should be
sealed in their own separate container
but placed in the tube with their intend-
ed rifles. Wood, leather, and canvas
keep poorly in caches over the long
haul. i
Start developing a cache plan early
so that the best location—whether it is a Vertically installed cache tubes are very difficult to relocate. It took
road, great effort to dig out this one, which was in the ground for eight
swamp, storm sewer, flower bed, years.
or incinerator—can be chosen. Keep in
mind that as a result of the modern
materials available to cachers at plumbing
supply shops, virtually any location can be
utilized.

220
 CHAPTER 39

CACHING VS. HIDING

Most regular practitioners of the art of decision to make, but the tools are at hand if
caching eventually find that their day-to-day you decide to cache.
activities are focused on hiding their weapons Some modern caching techniques have
as opposed to caching. In a tough, military- crossover applications for hiders, and there are
type context, where the user must keep at least innovative new hiding methods that may be
some of his tools reasonably handy, this is of interest to gun owners who do not feel they
extremely common. This is precisely the trend must cache at this time. Weapon owners must
that both the French Resistance and the decide for themselves to what extent they are
ietcong experienced. Hiding was, for these threatened and plan accordingly.
@::: the art of keeping a few weapons and In several recent situations, it was obvious
relatively small number of rounds of ammu- that federal marshals searching the homes of
nition close at hand for immediate use, where- suspects deliberately attempted to tear the
as caching was done on a more regional basis dwelling up as much as possible in order to
and usually involved a larger number of coerce the property owner into giving in to
weapons and explosives. their threats. In these circumstances, destruc-
Caching is semipermanent. Hidingisa tion is often not limited to what can be done -
temporary measure undertaken mostly for the with crow bar and hammer. A national news
immediate personal convenience of the end magazine recently carried a story regarding
user. Gun owners in New York and Chicago federal marshals who, in Nazi-like fashion,
would most likely engage in hiding activities, rented a large backhoe to assist them with the
while those in California and New Jersey chore of tearing off a chunk of some poor citi-
would most likely cache. Of course, the inten- zen’s home. Perhaps our marshals took their
sity with which the authorities might seek out training from Gls returning from Vietnam,
gun owners also enters the equation. Caching where entire villages were often burned ina
is generally much safer and less Meely to lead search for weapons.
to seizure. Assuming you are willing to suffer silently
Most gun nuts have hidden a weapon or through a destructive search and/or maintain
two around their homes. Strategic caching, a low profile so that the authorities are unsure
however, is a new concept to most people. when they search, there are several modern
Most people have problems differentiating hiding concepts that have promise. They are
between the two. There is a difference, howev- not foolproof, but they are helpful.
er, and you must be able to separate the two Most home hiding techniques are costly
nctions in your own mind. You now have a and difficult to implement. Probably the sim-

221
plest is to take your heating system
apart and hide a weapon way up in the
ducts. This will foil metal detectors, and
the piece will keep nicely in the con-
trolled atmosphere.
Be extremely cautious when imple-
menting this or any other technique
within a house or apartment. Repaint
any nails and screws that are dam-’
aged, and keep any natural metal
screws in nice, bright condition.
Customs inspectors who search vessels
for illegal drugs look first for screws
that have been burred or that have
paint that has been scarred.
Another excellent location is under
the bathroom vanity between the riser
or the sink cabinet and the floor.
Again, the location is a good one Pistol, plastic sleeve, extra magazine, and 140-weight oil ready to be
because the pipes and faucets provide assembled into a hiding package. You may be able to obtain the four-mil.
a sufficient mass of metal to confuse plastic sleeve required for blister packing from a butcher shop.
most metal detectors. .
Most vanities are screwed into the
wall at the rear of the cabinet. Open the
doors and look at the rear one-by-twos
to see if there are screw heads showing.
Somie cabinets will be screwed to the
floor. Loosen the cabinet and fasten the
weapon up under the vanity so that if it
is moved, the weapon moves with it. Do
not lay the weapon on the floor.
Placing a bare, unprotected weapon
in this damp environment is not partic-
ularly wise. There is, however, a tech-
nique the modern hider can use to miti-
gate the situation. It is a vacuum-
packed variation of the cache tube tech-
nology, similar to vacuum-packing
meats and vegetables, and it is extreme-
ly useful for home hiders. By blister-
packing your weapons in this manner
you can protect them completely from The weapon should be oiled with 140-weight gear oll before being placed
in the plastic sleeve.
the elements as long as the packages are
not handled roughly or mistreated. 1am
using this device to protect a CAR-15 example is even more remarkable because I
stored in the bottom of a boat under the bilge ran the boat in salt water.)
water! After more than six months, the Few special materials are needed, and those
weapon remains in excellent condition. (The that are, when you can find them, are relative-

222
 Oiled pistol and magazine in blister pack after the air has been evacuated
from the plastic sleeve. The package is now ready to be sealed.

To evacuate the air from the package, insert the

weapon into the plastic sleeve and immerse in a
Sleeves that they will save for you. The
large container of water. Be sure to keep the open required plastic sleeves are never easy to find,
“tail” of the sleeve above water. : : especially in the heavier four-mil. weight.
Finding them is the-toughest part of what is an
ly inexpensive. Start by purchasing ten feet of extremely effective technique for hiding rifles
eight- or ten-inch wide, three-or four-mil. and carbines. Motivated hiders simply must
plastic sleeve. This material is not extremely get on the phone and call around until they
common. Hiders must exercise a bit of flexibil- turn up a supply source.
ity and use whatever is available, provided it is Once you've located four-mil. plastic
in the ball park functionally. sleeves, final assembly into a hiding package
Four-mil. plastic sleeves are much better is decidedly easy. Coat the weapon with heavy
than three-mil. ones because they are tougher. 140 weight gear oil (available at any automo-
(Other plastic products usually will not work tive supply store), Conoco Cotton-Picker
either. Zip-lock bags, for instance, will not seal Spindle Grease (by special order), or regular
to the extent necessary to make the system lube grease. Insert the liberally greased
work, Also, at two mil., they are also a bit on weapon into the plastic sleeve. Weapons such
the light side for weapons. Even the heaviest as revolvers should be loaded, auto loaders
supermarket garbage bags are far too light stored with a loaded clip, and military car-
and subject to tears and holes.) Be certain the bines inserted with a loaded magazine or two.
Sleeve is close to the size of the weapon. Excess Placing ammunition with the weapon is
width creates sloppy results. important if it is likely that the weapon will be
In the past, I have used clear plastic army- removed from the hide, superficially wiped off
Surplus gun cases of Korean War vintage. New, and put immediately into service.
longer, rifle-sized plastic sleeves are available Weapons that are properly oiled and placed
from butcher shops and even from stationery in an air-evacuated sleeve are extremely
Stores at times. Auto body and parts stores impervious to the elements. They can be stored
sometimes get axles or drive shafts in plastic virtually any place where the plastic will not

223
 Ragnar’s Big Book of Homemade Weapons

be torn or melted.
Cut the sleeve material, which is generally
for sheet metal parts that he hada local firm
shorten. When reassembled and spray paint-
O}
sold in ten- to fifteen-foot rolls, so it is about ed, the shortened drawer nicely hid his Beretta
eighteen inches longer than the weapon. pistol with two extra magazines fastened in
(Pistols can be stored in a small pouch using behind. He sent the locked file cabinet to the
the same procedure.) By leaving generous Big Apple via commercial movers. When he
ends on the plastic sleeve, you make the com- arrived in town, his personal protection was
pleted package less subject to handling abuse there waiting for him. As a practical matter,
that could destroy its effectiveness. This also the scheme was extremely costly since it pro-
makes the package easier to seal. vided only for a pistol. Perhaps the file cabinet
Fill a bathtub or other large container could have been modified to accept a CAR-15,
with water—a fifty-five-gallon barrel, large but that would have been an even more mon-
tank or, if one is handy, a pond or lake are umental undertaking.
ideal. Immerse the weapon and plastic Professional searchers often look inside the '
sleeve on an angle so that as much water as cabinets of dishwashers and TVs, but this does
possible covers it. (Obviously, you do not not completely preclude them from being rea-
want to immerse the open end of the sleeve. sonably good spots in which to hide a weapon.
Keep the extra “tail” above water.) Water At times, an HK-94 or a CAR-15 can be placed
pressure will force the air out of the sleeve inside the base of the cabinet where a profes-
and force the plastic to stick to the oil on the sional might miss them. The trick in all cases
weapons. (Plastic heavier than four mil. will is to be very careful with nails, screws, tacks,
not shrink down and conform to the weapon and staples so they do not look tampered with.
as well as material of the correct weight. It is (DEA search manuals instruct agents to turn
possible to use heavier plastic if one can over couches to determine whether they feel
somehow heat the water used to evacuate heavy and to see if the tacks and staples hold-.
the air out of the package.) ing the upholstery appear to have been tam-
Roll the sleeve end over, seal the opening pered with.)
with a hot iron, and tie it with a piece of nylon Any of these hides will foil the casual
cord. Check to be certain the sleeve is sealed searcher, but they will not fool the real pro.
and that no air or water can leak through by There are three additional hides available to
submerging it in a container of water. many apartment dwellers that will work 99
Sealed-up weapons can be built into false percent of the time.
ceilings, false end walls in closets, and body Assuming you can secure the help of a pro-
panels on vehicles, where they can be kept for fessional upholsterer and/or furniture dealer,
years. With dry wall, it is reasonably easy to it is feasible to install sleeved weapons ina
place the weapon inside a wall and then waterbed. Waterbed mattresses can be profes-
replaster and paint it to look precisely as the sionally opened and then closed again so that
original. Had these evacuated packets been the bed is usable. I have seen this hide used on
available, French Resistance members could two separate occasions. The owners were
have placed them inside wine barrels wariout. unclear and evasive about how they got the
damage to wine or weapon. weapon inside the vinyl mattress. A]l they
A close friend of mine, who was forced by would say is that the factory did it for them.
an unreasonable employer to work out of an If the dwelling has a basement, consider
office in New York City, very carefully and putting a regulation cache tube in the floor.
meticulously shortened the drawer of a file The slickest scheme I have seen involved chip-
cabinet, behind which he hid a pistol. Before ping through the cement to the earth below.
moving, he spent scores of hours “remodeling” Chipping out old concrete is a long and ardu-
his file cabinet, including calling the factory ous task. It may even involve renting a small
 Building and Keeping Your Arsenal Secure

asonry hammer. This is a noisy, dirty tool wide, and up to three or more feet long is
that cannot be run in privacy if other tenants available between the basement ceiling and
live in the building. If, by chance, the landlord the floor above it. However, hiding in between
or manager is alerted, you can claim you are floor joists is a fairly common device that most
puttinginaradontrap. . authorities are aware of. While it has merit, it
Chipping out a round hole in the concrete must be done very cleverly.
by hand or with a masonry hammer involves Move the refrigerator out from its space in
cutting out wire or bar reinforcement placed in the kitchen, Carefully and meticulously lift the
the concrete. This can be done with a bolt cut- linoleum from the spot on the floor where the
ters or by using a cold chisel. refrigerator usually stands. Lifting linoleum
Remove enough concrete so that a com- can be quite easy or a real bitch, depending on
plete cache tube will slide through the hole. how well the original builders put itin and
Bring in a suitable post-hole auger and dig how old it is. Some older apartments will likely
down five or six feet. With any luck, the under- _have two or more layers of linoleum. As a rule,
lying material will be clay rather than gravel. the floor covering under the fridge is often in
If it is gravel, it will collapse in on itself, mak- fairly good condition and can be lifted without
ing it very difficult to drill a clean hole. Water undue trauma to it or the hider.
and bentonite clay purchased from a nursery Once the plywood or particle board under-
supply store can sometimes be used to stabilize layment is exposed, find the exact location of
a difficult gravel bed through which a cache the floor joists below. Various builders differ in
tube hole must be bored. After digging, insert the care with which they install floor joists.
the tube and fill the hole. Each installation is different. Use a small nail,
‘ Close the hole by placing a dummy cast- a ruler, or an electronic stud-locating device.
t on floor drain over the opening. Use a stan- Draw out a 16-inch rectangle on the floor, out-
“dard floor drain purchased from a plumber. In lining the exact midpoint of the floor joists.
some cases, it may be necessary to cement this This marking is critical and should be done
fitting in place. You can also use regular win- with great precision.
dow putty colored with soot to hold it in place. Using a carbide-tipped blade on a skill saw,
After a few weeks, the putty sets up hard cut the subflooring out no deeper than the 5/8-
enough to withstand traffic on the basement inch plywood or 1/2-inch particle board.
floor. If possible, place a rug over the drain Doing this without cutting too deeply into the
cache and fill it up with dust from the floor. Be supporting joists or gouging holes in the floor
sure that when you are done the entire assem- takes a great deal of skill. Lift out the 16-by-18-
bly looks old and untampered with. inch (or whatever size is cut) block of subfloor-
- Adventurers who have used this tech- ing. Below will be a perfect hollow spot in
nique report that they worked a week of which to hide a weapon.
evenings putting the hide in place. Slide the plastic weapons packet into the
Depending on your circumstances, it may be . opening. Replace the subflooring block, putty-
worth the effort, as this hide will almost cer- ing the cracks where the saw cut. When
tainly never be found. Metal detectors will replaced, the piece of subflooring should rest ~
be foiled by the cast-iron drain assembly nicely on the exposed part of the joists below.
and the wire in the concrete. Roll back and carefully replace the linoleum.
There is one other device worth mentioning It may be wise to glue the linoleum back
that isso sophisticated that it might not be down lightly.
uncovered by professional searchers. Modern When the refrigerator is moved back over
Structures are usually built on two-by-ten-foot the hide, it creates an excellent psychological
Oor joists. To the hider, this means thata and physical barrier to searchers. The mass of
ace about nine inches deep, fifteen inches the refrigerator along with the water pipes and

225
 Ragnar’s Big Book of Homemade Wea
pons
electrical lines in the kitchen will tend
to con- who are reasonably certain you
fuse metal detectors. Searchers might have a
be reluc- weapon hidden in your-homé will
tant to movea refrigerator and,
if they do, find it. It is
they might still overlook the hide if it is possible to make their chore very difficul
con- t, and
structed correctly, they will tear up your house or apartm
: ent in
These three situations are not foolproo the process, but they will find a weapon
f, that is
and they probably are not long-term hidden within the confines of your hom
solutions e. To
to what may actually call for caching. assume otherwise is folly.
They In the end, the best-solution is to mai
are, however, the best there is unde ntain
r less-than- a low profile. If the bad guys are‘not
perfect circumstances, sure the
The Golden Rule on hiding is fearfully weapon they seek is under your cont
sim- rol, they
ple: well-trained, highly motivated will be reluctant to search as hard
officials and as thor-
oughly as they otherwise might. -
ee
 Ar
uae
Cine

CHAPTER 40

OUTSMARTING THE ENEMY

The current batch of sophisticated metal oughly sweep a wide area very quickly.
detectors available on the civilian market in Almost every metal detector manufacturer
the United States generally has a military produces a unit that can be used under
background. However, it is tough to deter- extremely difficult circumstances to find ore
mine which came first, the chicken or the bodies, caches, lost weapons, pipes, and wires.
egg. Did commercial, hobby, and police met- They are often employed by professional trea-
al detectors evolve as a matter of wartime sure hunters, geologists, prospectors, public
necessity, or did the Vietnam War provide the utilities personnel, and, of course, police.
echnology necessary to develop superaccu- These sophisticated new units automatically
ate mine detectors? We do know that most retune themselves to compensate for wet and
military strategists in the United States were dry ground conditions and even for changing
not planning to fight a war in which a major earth composition. Modern metal detectors
strategical component was caching and boo- can be set to scan for anything metallic, but
by-trapping. Americans have typically once they pick up a buried object they can be
attempted to substitute gadgetry for philoso- adjusted to reject the object if it is a bottle cap,
phy, and in their attempt to deal with strate- nut or bolt, or pop can tab.
gic caching and booby-trapping, they devel- Hobbyist treasure hunters do not generally
oped some extremely sophisticated devices. use metal detectors because their weight and
As a result, cachers must contend with bulk leads to operator fatigue. Good ones are
highly sensitive, accurate, automated mine also extremely expensive, but officials looking
detectors. The only real difference between the for contraband weapons the cacher has dis-
hobby devices and the standard military units played in public or has bragged about to the
is ruggedness. Military mine detectors are wrong people will not be deterred by expense
made to be thrown in the back of a truck— or fatigue.
something commercial models would not tol- Conventional computerized metal detectors
erate for long. For a price, commercial metal will find a firearms cache three feet under-
detectors that will operate at up to 250 feet ground 100 percent of the time. They can be set
under water are available. to reject most small trash, unless it has been in
Some metal detectors exist that will consis- the ground a long time. A nail, for instance,
tently locate a metal pipe 35 feet below the will rust in a few years, spreading iron oxide
Surface or spot a penny edgewise 18 inches into the surrounding ground and creating a
underground. With these gizmos, two or larger target. Serious seekers won’t be deterred
Fa o: people can walk 35 feet apart and thor- by numerous decoys; they will simply assign
:
227
 some of their abundant labor force to
follow behind and do the digging.
It takes about twenty to thirty hours
of intense practice to become proficient
with a metal detector. Because they are
tiring to operate, this can mean four or
five solid days. Operators must learn
how to read the signals they are receiv-
ing to determine whether their find is
something of value or simply ground
clutter. Very old sites that people have
occupied for several hundred years or
more will have a huge amount of
ground clutter. Some treasure hunters
claim that there are more lost coins in
the ground than are currently in exis- The Fisher 1265-X is a sensitive, deep-seeking, general-purpose treasure
tence. This does not include bottle caps, hunter’s metal detector. (Photo courtesy of Fisher Research Laboratory.)
nails, wire, and hundreds ofsimilar
items that are lying about. ;
Within the large city, state, and
national enforcement groups, there are
operators who spend hundreds of hours
practicing, giving classes, and consult-
ing with similar officers. Civilian trea-
sure hunters hold regional meets where
birds of a feather go to compete. '
Often these people are searching for
nonferrous metal, which is generally
much harder to find than steel or iron.
Relatively speaking, the steel used in
firearms can be detected more easily and
at a greater depth than anything else.
To some extent, soil conditions limit
the ability of metal detectors. Historic or
current tidal flats contain residual salt
that acts as a deterrent. Finding a cache
in salt water along the coast is a bit Sophisticated modern metal detectors like the Compass Scanner can be
more difficult, but a skilled operator used under extremely difficult circumstances and can automatically
with the correct equipment will not be retune themselves for varying ground conditions and earth composition.
(Photo courtesy of Compass Electronics.)
slowed perceptibly.
Some regions of the United Statesare . ronment usually compensate for black sand
characterized by extensive layers of black
interference by switching to sixteen-inch coils’
sand, a nickel-iron elemental material that
metal detectors have problems penetrating. on their detector probes.
Much of the western United States has at least Cachers in heavily minéralized areas of
intermittent deposits.of black sand that, toa northern Wisconsin and Michigan can also
expect the authorities to have a tougher time

e
small extent, will protect the integrity.ofa
cache. Treasure hunters operating in this envi- finding their caches. Native iron in the soil
plays havoc with metal detector readings. Still,
 ad

eet. iSPa
waye

ia Building and Keeping Your Arsenal Secure

mo skilled operator who runs a metal detector the simple mathematical principle that when
lover cache tubes containing asfew as three you double the distance from a point, there is
™ rifles stored receiver down will have no trouble approximately four times as much territory
determining something is down there. Even involved. Placing your cache not 100 feet but
where there are fairly heavy concentrations of 200 feet out from your retreat will quadruple
iron, he will be able to find rifles buried a foot the territory over which the bad guys must
below the surface. The metal detector may drag their metal detectors in order to find it. At
’ miss one rifle, but the cacher should assume 100 feet, for example, they have 31,400 square
%. that others might be found. feet to examine. At 200 feet there are 125,600
In central Georgia and Alabama the soil is square feet involved. This is almost three
heavy clay with a high percentage of limonite. acres. Take the cache out 1,000 feet or more
Again, these conditions may limit an unskilled and the search chore becomes virtually hope-
operator to some extent, but will not deter the less. As mentioned earlier, I believe burying in
seasoned operator. Conversely, Georgia clay the middle of rural gravel roads is an excellent
tends to have a high moisture content that will idea. Under these circumstances, your cache
materially add to the ability of the metal could range as much as five or six miles from
detector to see down into the ground. Wet to. your home.
damp conditions usually produce deeper, bet- ‘At these longer ranges, it may pay to bury
ter readings. false targets, such as old bolts, nails, and
With the modern, computerized metal detec- trash. A search party looking as far as 1,000
tors that automatically compensate for changes feet from a retreat must thoroughly, inch by
in ground conditions, if one moves from a black © inch, cover a total of 3.14 million square feet.
sand area to clay, the machine adjusts to a great This is about 71 acres. Under these circum-
‘ extent. Ground conditions that fooled World stances, 50 pounds of sixteen-penny nails scat-
@: II mine detectors do not even slow down tered around would be very disconcerting.
modern units. Animal excrement that confused A second rule states that the cache is less
earlier detectors, for instance, has no effect. likely to be uncovered if it is located in a place
Valid readings are made quickly and easily in that is difficult to search—where burying,
pastures and corrals. mechanical work, or even stray dumping once
Certain conditions may sometimes baffle occurred, for example. Like the Vietnamese, I
’ some operators, including old barn sites, horse would seriously consider putting a cache tube
pastures, and places where trash was buried, in a local cemetery if possible. Most cemeteries
oil was’ spilled, welding was done, and mech- are open to visitors and can be accessed by car.
anical work on vehicles was undertaken. Little rural cemeteries are much better, but
However, unless these conditions exist in large some readers may not have access to these.
numbers lying side by side, operator confusion You could almost guarantee that a cache tube
is usually short-lived. If asearcher is really in a cemetery would never be found. Ponds,
Serious, he will simply call in members of his streams, marshes, and lakes all fit into this
team to probe the entire area. category as well. A survivor in Indiana once
All of this makes successful caching of steel showed me his cache tube jammed up under
weapons sound like a losing proposition. It is the bank of a creek.
true that if a skilled operator runs his coil over A third rule involves placing the cache in
your cache, he will probably find it. Yet, there a place that is virtually impossible to search,
Gre several additional golden rules of caching For instance, in grain bins and silos, under
. that will assist you mightily. When judiciously pig pens, and in piles of coal, gravel, fire-
¢ Qpplied, they will swing the pendulum back in wood, or boards are all good options. These
your favor. locations should be places searchers cannot
check out thoroughly.

229
 Ragnar’s Big Book of Homemade Weapons

Since-metal detectors do not work well in to creep into the curmudgeon’s yard with post
close proximity to large amounts of steel, it hole digger, tarp, and soil bags in the dark of
would be virtually impossible to locate a cache night. Once the tube is in place and the soil
buried a foot deep in a junkyard, used car lot, carefully replaced over the hole, the cacher
or tank farm. Other than the multitude of can return again and again in the wee hours
scrap lying around just under the ground, the of the morning, or whenever, to inspect and
device would detect nothing. : replace the weapons. Caches can be placed in
Farmers and ranchers often have empty an unwitting accomplice’s rose bed, behind his
lots where they park their old, worn-out trucks, . garage, in his garden, or even inside his barn.
tractors, and machinery. Assuming the lot is I once stowed a plastic-sleeved .22 rifleina
quite large, it might be wise to put a cache” neighbor’s hay manger for several months,
tube under an old implement, knowing it will and I am sure he never suspected a thing.
prevent the metal detector from functioning Caching in difficult, unusual places where
properly. This is often possible even if the lot conditions are tough for searchers makes a lot
does not belong to you. : : of sense. Be certain, however, that the weapons
An acquaintance in Arizona lives half a that are cached predate the 1968 gun act or
mile‘from an old dump that was closed in the have been traded around informally to the
late ’50s, I suggested that he put his cache point that they are not traceable by the
tubes in the-dump ground. Metal detectors will authorities. Should Uncle Sam send his repre-
not work at all there, and the dump site is sentative to the door inquiring about the
close enough to his home that he can monitor ° Valmet assault rifle the local dealer records
the situation on a daily basis. <s show as being sold to you and the weapon is
Burying in unlikely, difficult places off of hidden in your cache, you may be stumped for
your own property is almost always wise. an acceptable answer unless you have thought
Think seriously about placing a cache tube in that one through.
the backyard of the neighborhood curmud- In the final analysis, the greatest single
geon. This is the kind of person who will force device for outwitting metal detectors is to put
the authorities to secure a warrant before they as much distance as possible between you and
enter his property, assuming they will ever your cache. Keep a low profile when checking
think to look there. If the location is far it, returning as seldom as possible. In some
enough from your own property, the ruse will Cases, it may be appropriate to visually check
work every time. ° = from the road for problems, only uncovering
It does not take much planning or bravery. the actual cache every two or three years!
‘