Improvised Munitions Handbook (Improvised Explosive Devices or IEDs)

Section 5
Incendiary Devices

5.1 Chemical Fire Bottle

This incendiary bottle is self-igniting on target impact.

Procedure

1. Sulfuric acid must be concentrated. If battery acid or other dilute acid is used, concentrate it by boiling until dense white fumes are given off. Container used should be of enamelware or oven glass.

2. Remove the acid from heat and allow to cool to room temperature.

3. Pour gasoline into the large (1 quart) bottle until it is approximately 2/3 full.

4. Add concentrated sulfuric acid to gasoline slowly until the bottle is filled to within 1 inch to 2 inches from top. Place the stopper on the bottle.

5. Wash the outside of the bottle thoroughly with clear water.

6. Wrap a clean cloth or several sheets of absorbent paper around the outside of the bottle. Tie with string or fasten with rubber bands.

7. Dissolve 1/2 cup (100 grams) of potassium chlorate and 1/2 cup (100 grams) of sugar in one cup (250 milliliters) of boiling water.

8. Allow the solution to cool, pour into the small bottle and cap tightly. The cooled solution should be approximately 2/3 crystals and 1/3 liquid. If there is more liquid than this, pour off excess before using.

How to Use

1. Shake the small bottle to mix contents and pour onto the cloth or paper around the large bottle. Bottle can be used wet or after solution has dried. However, when dry, the sugar – potassium chlorate mixture in very sensitive to spark or flame and should be handled accordingly.

2. Throw or launch the bottle. When the bottle breaks against a hard surface (target) the fuel will ignite.

5.2 Igniter from Book Matches

This is a hot igniter made from paper book matches for use with molotov cocktail and other incendiaries.

Procedure

1. Remove the staple(s) from match book and separate matches from cover.

2. Fold and tape one row of matches.

3. Shape the cover into a tube with striking surface on the inside and tape. Make sure the folded cover will fit tightly around the taped match heads. Leave cover open at opposite end for insertion of the matches.

4. Push the taped matches into the tube until the bottom ends are exposed about 3/4 inch (2 cm).

5. Flatten and fold the open end of the tube so that it laps over about 1 inch (2-1/2 cm); tape in place.

Use with Molotov Cocktail

Tape the “match end tab” of the igniter to the neck of the molotov cocktail.

Grasp the “cover end tab” and pull sharply or quickly to ignite.

General Use

The book match igniter can be used by itself to ignite flammable liquids, fuse cords and similar items requiring hot ignition.

5.3 Mechanically Initiated Fire Bottle

The mechanically initiated fire bottle is an incendiary device which ignites when thrown against a hard surface.

Procedure

1. Draw or scratch two lines around the can – one 3/4 inch (19 mm) and the other 1-1/4 inch (30 mm) from the open end.

2. Cut 2 slots on opposite sides of the tin can at the line farthest from the open end. Make slots large enough for the flat stick or piece of metal to pass through.

3. Punch 2 small holes just below the rim of the open end of the can.

4. Tape blue tip matches together in pairs. The distance between the match heads should equal the inside diameter of the can. Two pairs are sufficient.

5. Attach paired matches to second and third coils of the spring, using thin wire.

6. Insert the end of the spring opposite the matches into the tin can.

7. Compress the spring until the end with the matches passes the slot in the can. Pass the flat stick or piece of metal through slots in can to hold spring in place. This acts as a safety device.

8. Punch many closely spaced small holes between the lines marked on the can to form a striking surface for the matches. Be careful not to seriously deform can.

9. Fill the jar with gasoline and cap tightly.

10. Turn can over and place over the jar so that the safety stick rests on the lid of the jar.

11. Pass wire or twine around the bottom of the jar. Thread ends through holes in can and bind tightly to jar.

12. Tape wire or cord to jar near the bottom.

How to Use

1. Carefully withdraw flat safety stick.

2. Throw jar at hard surface.

5.4 Gelled Flame Fuels

Gelled or paste type fuels are often preferable to raw gasoline for use in incendiary devices such as fire bottles. This type fuel adheres more readily to the target and produces greater heat concentration.

Several methods are shown for gelling gasoline using commonly available materials. The methods are divided into the following categories based on the major ingredient:

5.4.1 Lye Systems

5.4.2 Lye-Alcohol Systems

5.4.3 Soap-Alcohol System

5.4.4 Egg White Systems

5.4.5 Latex Systems

5.4.6 Wax Systems

5.4.7 Animal Blood Systems

5.4.1 Gelled Flame Fuels — Lye Systems

Lye (also known as caustic soda or sodium hydroxide) can be used in combination with powdered rosin or castor oil to gel gasoline for use as a flame fuel which will adhere to target surfaces.

Note: This fuel is not suitable for use in the chemical (sulfuric acid) type of fire bottle section 5.1. The acid will react with the lye and break down the gel.

Procedure

1. Pour gasoline into jar, bottle or other container. (Do not use an aluminum container.)

2. If rosin is in cake form, crush into small pieces.

3. Add rosin or castor oil to the gasoline and stir for about five (5) minutes to mix thoroughly.

4. In a second container (not aluminum) add lye to an equal volume of water slowly with stirring.

5. Add lye solution to the gasoline mix and stir until mixture thickens (about one minute).

Note: The sample will eventually thicken to a very firm paste. This can be thinned, if desired, by stirring in additional gasoline.

5.4.2 Gelled Flame Fuels — Lye-Alcohol Systems

Lye (also known as caustic soda or sodium hydroxide) can be used in combination with alcohol and any of several fats to gel gasoline for use as a flame fuel.

Note: This fuel is not suitable for use in the chemical (sulfuric acid) type of fire bottle section 5.1. The acid will react with the lye and break down the gel.

Note: The following can be substituted for the tallow:

1. Wool grease (lanolin) (very good) – fat extracted from sheep wool
2. Castor oil (good)
3. Any vegetable oil (corn, cottonseed, peanut, linseed, etc.)
4. Any fish oil
5. Butter or oleomargarine

It is necessary when using substitutes (c) to (e) to double the given amount of fat and of lye for satisfactory bodying.

Procedure

1. Pour gasoline into bottle, jar or other container. (Do not use an aluminum container.)

2. Add tallow (or substitute) to the gasoline and stir for about 1/2 minute to dissolve fat.

3. Add alcohol to the gasoline mixture.

4. In a separate container (not aluminum) slowly add lye to an equal amount of water. Mixture should be stirred constantly while adding lye.

5. Add lye solution to the gasoline mixture and stir occasionally until thickened (about 1/2 hour).

Note: The mixture will eventually (1 to 2 days) thicken to a very firm paste. This can be thinned, if desired, by stirring in additional gasoline.

5.4.3 Gelled Flame Fuels — Soap-Alcohol System

Common household soap can be used in combination with alcohol to gel gasoline for use as a flame fuel which will adhere to target surfaces.

Note: Unless the word “soap” actually appears somewhere on the container or wrapper, a washing compound is probably a detergent. These can not be used.

Procedure

Caution: Make sure that there are no open flames in the area when mixing flame fuels. No smoking!

1. If bar soap is used, carve into thin flakes using a knife.

2. Pour alcohol and gasoline into a jar, bottle or other container and mix thoroughly.

3. Add soap powder or flakes to gasoline-alcohol mix and stir occasionally until thickened (about 15 minutes).

5.4.4 Gelled Flame Fuels — Egg White Systems

The white of any bird egg can be used to gel gasoline for use as a flame fuel which will adhere to target surfaces.

Procedure

1. Separate egg white from yolk. This can be done by breaking the egg into a dish and carefully removing the yolk with a spoon.

2. Pour egg white into a jar, bottle, or other container and add gasoline.

3. Add the salt (or other additive) to the mixture and stir occasionally until gel forms (about 5 to 10 minutes).

Note: A thicker gelled flame fuel can be obtained by putting the capped jar in hot (65°C) water for about 1/2 hour and then letting them cool to room temperature. (Do not heat the gelled fuel containing coffee.)

5.4.5 Gelled Flame Fuels — Latex Systems

Any milky white plant fluid is a potential source of latex which can be used to gel gasoline.

Note: If acids are not available, use acid salt (alum, sulfates and chlorides other than sodium or potassium). The formic acid from crushed red ants can also be used.

Procedure

1. With commercial rubber latex:

1. Place 7 parts by volume of latex and 92 parts by volume of gasoline in bottle. Cap bottle and shake to mix well.
2. Add 1 part by volume vinegar (or other acid) and shake until gel forms.

2. With natural latex:

1. Natural latex should form lumps as it comes from the plant. If lumps do not form, add a small amount of acid to the latex.
2. Strain off the latex lumps and allow to dry in air.
3. Place 20 parts by volume of latex in bottle and add 80 parts by volume of gasoline. Cover bottle and allow to stand until a swollen gel mass is obtained (2 to 3 days).

5.4.6 Gelled Flame Fuels — Wax Systems

Any of several common waxes can be used to gel gasoline for use as a flame fuel which will adhere to target surfaces.

Procedure

1. Obtaining wax from natural sources: Plants and berries are potential sources of natural waxes. Place the plants and/or berries in boiling water. The natural waxes will melt. Let the water cool. The natural waxes will form a solid layer on the water surface. Skim off the solid wax and let it dry. With natural waxes which have suspended matter when melted, screen the wax through a cloth.

2. Melt the wax and pour into jar or bottle which has been placed in a hot water bath.

3. Add gasoline to the bottle.

4. When wax has completely dissolved in the gasoline, allow the water bath to cool slowly to room temperature.

Note: If a gel does not form, add additional wax (up to 40% by volume) and repeat the above steps. If no gel forms with 40% wax, make a lye solution by dissolving a small amount of lye (sodium hydroxide) in an equal amount of water. Add this solution (1/2% forms by volume) to the gasoline wax mix and shake bottle until a gel forms.

5.4.7 Gelled Flame Fuels — Animal Blood Systems

Animal blood can be used to gel gasoline for use as a flame fuel which will adhere to target surfaces.

Procedure

1. Preparation of animal blood serum:

1. Slit animal's throat by jugular vein. Hang upside down to drain.
2. Place coagulated (lumpy) blood in a cloth or on a screen and catch the red fluid (serum) which drains through.
3. Store in cool place if possible.

Caution: Do not get aged animal blood or the serum into an open cut. This can cause infections.

2. Pour blood serum into jar, bottle, or other container and add gasoline.

3. Add the salt (or other additive) to the mixture and stir until a gel forms.

5.5 Acid Delay Incendiary

This device will ignite automatically after a given time delay.

Procedure

1. Sulfuric acid must be concentrated. If battery acid or other dilute acid is used, concentrate it by boiling. Container used should be of enamelware or oven glass. When dense white fumes begin to appear, immediately remove the acid from heat and allow to cool to room temperature.

2. Dissolve one part by volume of potassium chlorate and one part by volume of sugar in two parts by volume of boiling water.

3. Allow the solution to cool. When crystals settle, pour off and discard the liquid.

4. Form a tube from cardboard just large enough to fit around the outside of the jar and 2 to 3 times the height of the jar. Tape one end of the tube closed.

5. Pour wet potassium chlorate-sugar crystals into the tube until it is about 2/3 full. Stand the tube aside to dry.

6. Drill a hole through the cap of the jar about 1/2 inch (1-1/4 cm) in diameter.

7. Cut a disc from rubber sheet so that it just fits snugly inside the lid of the jar.

8. Partly fill jar with water, cover with rubber disc and cap tightly with the drilled lid. Invert bottle and allow to stand for a few minutes to make sure that there are no leaks. This is extremely important.

9. Pour water from jar and fill about 1/3 full with concentrated sulfuric acid. Replace the rubber disc and cap tightly.

Important: Wash outside of jar thoroughly with clear water. If this is not done, the jar may be dangerous to handle during use.

How to Use

1. Place the tube containing the sugar chlorate crystals on an incendiary or flammable material taped end down.

2. Turn the jar of sulfuric acid cap end down and slide it into the open end of the tube.

After a time delay, the acid will eat through the rubber disc and ignite the sugar chlorate mix. The delay time depends upon the thickness and type of rubber used for the disc. Before using this device, tests should be conducted to determine the delay time that can be expected.

Note: A piece of standard automobile inner tube (about 1/32 inch thick) will provide a delay time of approximately 45 minutes.

5.6 Improvised White Flare

An improvised white flare can be made from potassium nitrate, aluminum powder and shellac. It has a time duration of approximately 2 minutes.

Procedure

1. Place the potassium nitrate crystals on the screen. Rub the material back and forth against the screen mesh with the wooden block until the nitrate is granulated into a powder.

2. Measure 21 tablespoons of the powdered nitrate into a quart jar. Add 21 tablespoons of the aluminum powder to the nitrate.

3. Place lid on the jar and shake ingredients vigorously until well mixed.

4. Add 12 tablespoons of shellac to the mixture and stir with the wooden rod. Store mixture until ready for step 7.

5. Knot one end of the fuse.

6. Wrap the knotted end of the fuse once around the inside bottom of the can with the knot at the center. Then, run the rest of the fuse out the center top of the can.

7. Pour the mixture in the can and around the fuse.

8. Store flare mixture away from heat and flame until ready for use, but no longer than 3 weeks.

5.7 Improvised Iron Oxide

Iron oxide can be made from steel wool. It is used in the preparation of Improvised Yellow Flare (section 5.8), Improvised White Smoke Munition (section 5.9) and Improvised Black Smoke Munition (section 5.10).

Procedure

1. Separate a handful of steel wool into a fluffy ball approximately 12 inches in diameter and place into one end of the smoke pipe.

2. Place the pipe on a level, nonflammable surface. Steady the pipe, using wooden blocks if necessary.

3. Ignite the steel wool with the flame source and, with the vacuum cleaner, force a stream of air through the flame.

Note: The forced air provided by the vacuum cleaner aids in the burning of the steel wool. If the steel wool does not completely burn, more separation of the wool is needed.

4. When the steel wool has almost completely burned, add another handful of the fluffed steel wool (step 1).

5. Continue adding to the flame a single handful of fluffed wool at a time until a sufficient amount of iron oxide granules have accumulated in the stove pipe.

6. Place a window screen on a sheet of newspaper. Pour the burned steel wool granules onto the window screen and shake screen until all the fine particles have passed through.

7. Discard those particles on the newspaper which are fibrous and unburned.

8. Save the particles which were too large to pass through the screen in one of the containers for future burning.

9. Store particles of iron oxide (left on newspaper) in another container until ready for use.

5.8 Improvised Yellow Flare

A yellow flare can be made from shellac, sulfur, aluminum powder, iron oxide and baking soda. It can be used either for signaling or lighting up a dark area.

Procedure

1. Measure 6 firm level tablespoons of sulfur into a quart jar.

2. Add 7 firm level tablespoons of sodium bicarbonate to the sulfur.

3. Add 2 heaping tablespoons of black iron oxide.

4. Place the lid on the quart jar and shake ingredients 10 times.

5. Place the mixed ingredients on the window screen.

6. Mix ingredients thoroughly by forcing material through screen mesh onto the newspaper, using a wooden rod or stick. Repeat screening 2 times to insure thorough mixing.

7. Pour mixed ingredients back into the jar.

8. Add 20 heaping tablespoons of aluminum powder to the ingredients.

9. Add while stirring the least amount of shellac needed to moisten mixture.

10. Force moistened mix through screen mesh onto the newspaper as in step 6. Store mixture until ready for step 14.

11. Measure one heaping teaspoon of white flare mix onto a 4 inch square piece of aluminum foil.

12. Knot one end of the fuse and place the knot onto the mix.

13. Fold the corners of the foil tightly around the fuse.

14. Now place the yellow flare mix into the can.

15. Place the fused white flare mix in the foil below the surface of the yellow flare mix in the can.

16. Light the fuse with the flame source when ready.

5.9 Improvised White Smoke Munition

A white smoke munition can be made from sulfur, potassium nitrate, black powder, aluminum powder, iron oxide and carbon tetrachloride. It can be used either for signaling or screening.

Procedure

1. Measure 3 level tablespoons of powdered dry sulfur into the quart jar.

2. Add 4 level tablespoons of powdered dry potassium nitrate to the sulfur.

Note: it may be necessary to crush the potassium nitrate crystals and sulfur to obtain an accurate measure in tablespoon.

3. Add 2 heaping tablespoons of black iron oxide.

4. Place all ingredients on the window screen.

5. Mix ingredients thoroughly by sieving them onto the newspaper. Repeat screening 3 times to insure thorough mixing.

6. Pour mixed ingredients back into the jar.

7. Screw lid onto the quart jar and shake vigorously until the ingredients are evenly mixed.

8. Remove lid from quart jar and add 15 heaping tablespoons of aluminum powder (bronzing) to the ingredients. Mix thoroughly with wooden rod or stick.

Note: If the white smoke mixture is not for immediate use, screw the lid back onto the jar tightly and store until ready for use. If mixture is for immediate use, continue with the following steps.

9. Wet mix the ingredients to a paste consistency with carbon tetrachloride.

10. Add 1/2 cup of black powder to the ingredients and carefully mix with wooden rod or stick.

How to Use

1. Measure one heaping teaspoon of white flare mix onto a 4 inch square piece of aluminum foil.

2. Knot one end of the fuse and place the knot into the mix.

3. Fold the corners of the foil tightly around the fuse.

4. Now place the white smoke mix into the can.

5. Place the fused white flare mix in the foil below the surface of the white smoke mix in the can.

6. Light the fuse with the flame source when ready.

5.10 Improvised Black Smoke Munition

A black smoke munition can be made from sulfur, aluminum powder, iron oxide, moth crystals and carbon tetrachloride. It can be used either for signaling or screening.

Procedure

1. Measure 3 level teaspoons of sulfur into a quart jar.

2. Add 1 heaping tablespoon of improvised iron oxide to the sulfur.

3. Add 2 level teaspoons of table salt.

4. Crush 5 heaping tablespoons of moth crystal into a fine powder using a wooden block.

5. Add 4 heaping tablespoons of powdered moth crystals to the other ingredients in jar.

6. Place all ingredients on the window screen.

7. Mix ingredients thoroughly by sieving them onto the newspaper. Repeat screening 3 times to insure thorough mixing.

8. Pour mixed ingredients back into the jar.

9. Add 12 heaping tablespoons of aluminum powder to the ingredients and mix by stirring with wooden rod or stick.

10. Just before use as a black smoke, wet mix the above ingredients to a paste consistency with carbon tetrachloride.

How to Use

1. Measure one heaping teaspoon of white flare mix onto a 4 inch square piece of aluminum foil.

2. Knot one end of the fuse and place the knot into the mix.

3. Fold the corners of the foil tightly around the fuse.

4. Now place the black smoke mix into the can.

5. Place the fused white flare mix in the foil below the surface of the black smoke mix in the can.

6. Light the fuse with the flame source when ready.