CARTRIDGE COMPRISING A PROJECTILE WITH A PYROTECHNIC CHARGE

A cartridge comprises a longitudinal tube having a transverse open end. A projectile is accommodated in and can slide longitudinally inside the tube. The projectile is ejected from the tube through the open end by sliding longitudinally relative to the tube. There is a pyrotechnic charge in the projectile. A device for securing delayed initiation of this charge comprises a fuse, a percussion member in the projectile movable between a retracted position in which it is removed from the fuse and a striking position in which it strikes the fuse, a device adapted to hold the percussion member temporarily in its retracted position and complementary mechanical devices on part of the projectile and part of the tube facing the path followed by this part of the projectile as it is ejected. The complementary mechanical devices impel the percussion member towards the striking position, overriding the temporary holding device, when the aforementioned part of the projectile passes across the aforementioned part of the tube during ejection of the projectile from the tube.