A Military Dictionary and Gazetteer / Comprising ancient and modern military technical terms, historical accounts of all North American Indians, as well as ancient warlike tribes; also notices of battles from the earliest period to the present time, with a concise explanation of terms used in heraldry and the offices thereof. The work also gives valuable geographical information. Compiled from the best authorities of all nations. With an appendix containing the Articles of war, etc.

by Thomas Wilhelm

Percussion. Is the impression which a body makes in falling or striking against another, or the shock of two moving bodies. It is either direct or oblique.

Percussion, Centre of. That point wherein the shock of the percutient bodies is the greatest.

Percussion, Direct. Is where the impulse is given in the direction of a right line perpendicular to the point of contact.

Percussion, Oblique. Is where the impulse is given in the direction of a line oblique to the point of contact.

Percussion-bullet. A bullet made by placing a small quantity of percussion powder in a copper envelope in the point of an ordinary rifled-musket bullet.

Percussion-caps. See [Caps, Percussion-].

Percussion-fuze. See [Fuze].

Percussion-lock. A lock of a gun in which gunpowder is exploded by fire obtained from the percussion of fulminating powder.

Percussion-match. A match which ignites by percussion.

Percussion-powder. Powder composed of such materials as to ignite by slight percussion; fulminating powder.