How powerful were the expansive bullets that were banned over 120 years ago

  • Jan 05, 2022
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How powerful were the expansive bullets that were banned over 120 years ago
How powerful were the expansive bullets that were banned over 120 years ago

Weapons have always been capable of inflicting damage on humans. However, there are some modifications of it, which at some point become really scary to use. Moreover, the same principle works even with ammunition. Expansive bullets were a prime example of such weapons. And all because their combat use showed such destructive power that it was banned by the Hague Convention back in 1899.

Bullets too powerful to use. Photo: udachnyj-enot.com.ua
Bullets too powerful to use. / Photo: udachnyj-enot.com.ua
Bullets too powerful to use. / Photo: udachnyj-enot.com.ua

The history of this unusual ammunition at the end of the nineteenth century, when it became clear that the previously widespread soft lead bullets were not suitable for use in the then rifled weapon. Therefore, during the military campaign in Northern Pakistan in 1895, British colonial troops began to look for a solution to the problem. And after several unsuccessful concepts, Captain Neville Bertie-Clay managed to develop new ammunition.

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At the end of the 19th century, it was decided to create a new type of ammunition. / Photo: russian7.ru
At the end of the 19th century, it was decided to create a new type of ammunition. / Photo: russian7.ru

The bullet was an unusual ammunition design with a small cavity in front, therefore, when it got into soft tissues, it was deformed and opened in such a way that it looks like flower. Moreover, its "petals" were sharp, so they inflicted terrible lacerations on the enemy and could even break bones. That is why bullets, which received the official name expansive, have also come to be called "flowers of death".

Truly dangerous flowers. / Photo: topwar.ru
Truly dangerous flowers. / Photo: topwar.ru

The first massive documented use of expansive bullets occurred during the Boer War of 1899-1902. And their use was amazingly effective. And so much so that in most cases they became the cause of amputation of the injured limb, and if the bullet entered the body, then it was completely fatal.

How powerful were the expansive bullets that were banned over 120 years ago

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Delegates to the 1899 Hague Conference. / Photo: wikipedia.org
Delegates to the 1899 Hague Conference. / Photo: wikipedia.org

The use of expansive bullets was actively covered in the then mass media, therefore, when the world the public saw eloquent images of terrible wounds and realized the damage from this ammunition, it became clear what was needed with this do something. Therefore, at the initiative of the British government in 1899, 15 leading world states signed The first Hague Convention, in the text of which, among other things, the prohibition of the production and use of expansive bullets.

In addition to the topic:
Prohibited G2R RIP: what is this cartridge and why is it needed
A source:
https://novate.ru/blogs/230821/60272/

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How powerful were the expansive bullets that were banned over 120 years ago