This technical manual details the composition, manufacture, and inspection of propellants and military explosives as understood by the U.S. War Department in 1940. The text examines key compounds such as smokeless powder, black powder, trinitrotoluene (TNT), ammonium picrate, nitrostarch, and amatol. It covers the granulation of smokeless powder and its inspection, alongside discussions of compound propellants and black powder. Originally a restricted document, its contents are now publicly available.

This manual, originally created by the Chief of Ordnance of the War Department in 1940, offers a historical and technical perspective on military explosives. Its declassification allows for study of the chemical and manufacturing processes understood at the time. The reprint preserves the original text's integrity, making it a valuable resource for understanding historical ordnance.