Bright Sword: Starting from the Improved Grenade

"It wasn't easy! I finally made it."

Zhao Tianyang was a little excited as he touched the machine in front of him.

The discussion of the semi-automatic bullet production line began when he was still in Xingjiazhuang.

As a result, more than two months passed, and even the main person in charge was replaced, before the machine was manufactured.

"Has the machine started the experiment?"

Zhao Tianyang asked Liu Ding who was standing beside him.

"not yet!"

Liu Ding shook his head: "I just wanted to let you, the section chief, take a look first!"

"It doesn't matter if I look at it or not, just move everything outside quickly, plug it in, and let's give it a try!"

Zhao Tianyang urged.

Bullets have always been an important cause of trouble for the Eighth Route Army.

We now have a semi-automatic bullet production line. Although it still requires manual assistance, it is much more efficient than rubbing by hand.

"Liu Guifu, go to the warehouse and take out all the brass rods that have been produced. Also bring over the bullet reloading machine that you made."

"Wu Yunduo, go get a pot-carrying machine and a generator."

Following Zhao Tianyang's command, the tent immediately became lively.

Because these machines are relatively large, Liu Ding also asked several workers to help.

Soon, four machines of different shapes were placed on the open space outside the tent where they were working.

"Chief, we are here!"

At this time, Shen Hong came over with four workers, carrying a slightly heavy machine.

"Why are you here instead of staying at the Arsenal?"

Zhao Tianyang glanced at the machine the workers were carrying. It seemed to be a punching press?

"Of course it's a machine!"

Shen Hong said as a matter of course: "I am responsible for the punch press required for the semi-automatic bullet production line."

"Okay, so the extra lathe in front is a punch press!"

Zhao Tianyang was a little speechless: "Then when I asked you to do the punching yesterday, why didn't you say you already had it?"

"Different!"

Shen Hong patiently explained: "This punching machine is used to punch holes in bullet shells."

“So it’s relatively simple to build, with just pure mechanical power, a single-process punch press, and the punch force it generates is only 8N.”

"And what you need is a punch press that can punch steel plates."

"That thing must be a giant one weighing several tons, and it must be a continuous punching machine with multiple processes. The difficulty is not at the same level as this one."

"That's it!"

Zhao Tianyang scratched his head. He didn’t expect that a simple punching machine would have so many differences.

"Forget it, let's talk about this later. Let's quickly test this bullet production line!"

While the two were chatting, Liu Ding and his team had already completed the preparations and were just waiting for Zhao Tianyang to give orders.

"Huangyadong, the first experiment of the semi-automatic bullet production line has begun!"

Following Zhao Tianyang's order.

Wu Yunduo put a two-meter-long brass rod into the rolling machine and pressed it into thin sheets.

Then take these brass sheets to the stamping machine and punch them into round copper sheets the size of coins, and then punch the copper sheets into cup shapes.

"Quick, bring all these brass cups here."

Next to it, Liu Ding set up an apparatus that looked like a barbecue grill.

The reason why I say "seems" is because this grill is completely covered, not open, and there is red glowing charcoal underneath the grill.

Because there was no direct heating machine, Liu Ding made this device to replace the heating equipment.

He put the brass cups into the grill, put the lid on and started heating.

After several heating and annealing processes, Liu Ding tested the hardness of the brass cup with pliers and nodded.

"Okay, take it to the stamping machine and stamp it into shape."

Soon, small brass cups were placed on the stamping machine and turned into 57mm long bullet shells through multiple stamping processes.

At this time, the shells were taken down again, and after manual polishing and trimming, they were put into the stamping machine again. After multiple stampings, the neck of the shell was pressed out.

"Okay, take it to the lathe and turn a groove into the bottom of the shell."

Liu Ding stepped forward and picked up a bullet shell. After further inspection, he gave instructions to a level six worker standing beside him.

This groove allows the gun to remove the spent shells, which is quite important.

So Zhao Tianyang specially found a level 6 worker to take charge of the project so as to make a good start.

Ten minutes later, Liu Ding took over the sixth-level job and handed over several cut bullet shells.

I went to the grill again, put the shell in, and continued the heat treatment.

Be prepared to soften the bullet casing slightly to relieve stress and prevent the casing from warping.

"Okay, there are only two steps left."

Seeing this, Zhao Tianyang said a little excitedly.

"Get on the punch press!"

After using a punch press to punch a hole in the bullet shell, Zhao Tianyang quickly took the bullet shell and handed it to Liu Guifu who was standing beside him.

Just now, he had made many bullets through the casting method, and all he needed was the bullet shells.

Under the expectant gaze of everyone, Liu Guifu loaded propellant into the bullet shell.

Then use a bullet reloader to press the bullet head and primer onto the bullet casing.

The manufacture of primer is relatively simple, so I won’t go into details.

Simply put, it is to press the brass sheet into a small cap and then fill it with silver fulminate.

"Try?"

Taking the freshly-made, shiny 7.92x57mm Mauser bullet, Zhao Tianyang said tentatively to everyone.

"Let me try!"

Li Yuncai, who had been watching the excitement, quickly grabbed the bullet and picked up the Taihang Type 2 cavalry rifle that had been prepared on the side.

He loaded the bullet quickly, then pointed it at a big tree not far away and pulled the trigger.

With a "bang", wood chips flew everywhere on the relatively sturdy cypress tree, and an oval bullet hole appeared.

The scene fell silent for a moment, and the next moment thunderous shouts broke out.

"Great, it worked."

“Oh oh oh…”

"Sure! My shooting skills are not good enough!"

Zhao Tianyang patted Li Yuncai on the shoulder and said, "Don't snatch things from me next time. If you have anything to say, just talk to me. I'm not unwilling to listen!"

"There is no problem with the firing. I think we still need to test the other data."

At this time Liu Ding said to Zhao Tianyang.

A good bullet depends on more than just whether it can be fired.

We also need to consider its appearance, dimensional accuracy, whether the weight is within the specification range, whether the charge is accurate, and the ballistic performance of the bullet.

Of course, there is also a final sealing test to prevent the propellant inside the bullet from getting damp or leaking shortly after it is made.

"I'll leave this to you, Mr. Liu."

Zhao Tianyang nodded indifferently. The bullets could be fired and the other details could be improved slowly. He was not in a hurry.

"Row."

Liu Ding nodded in agreement.

"By the way, since the semi-automatic bullet production line has been successful, let's build a bullet factory as well."

Zhao Tianyang stroked his chin and thought for a while: "Maybe I'll have to trouble you to take on the role of director of the bullet factory."

"By the way, we are also studying how to manufacture the grenades needed for the Dinglong grenade launcher, the Taihang 60 mortar, and the shells needed for the Taihang cannon."

"It's no use always using the casting method to make shell casings!"

"no problem!"

At the same time, just as Zhao Tianyang and others were happy about the successful research and development of semi-automatic bullet production, the commander-in-chief finally returned to Yan'an.

As soon as he got back, he found the majestic man and proposed to use penicillin to exchange the ore with General Wei.