M-80 (explosive)

M-80s are an American class of large powerful firecrackers, sometimes called salutes.[1] M-80s were originally made in the mid 20th century for the U.S. military to simulate explosives or artillery fire;[2] later, M-80s were manufactured as fireworks. Traditionally, M-80s were made from a small cardboard tube, often red, approximately 1 1⁄2 inches (3.8 cm) long and 9⁄16 inch (1.4 cm) inside diameter, with a fuse coming out of the side; this type of fuse is commonly known as cannon fuse or Visco fuse, after a company responsible for standardizing the product. The tubes often hold approximately 5 grams of pyrotechnic flash powder. [3]

M-80

Legality

Canada

M-80s are not authorized under the law, thus making importation, possession, transportation, storage or manufacturing illegal in Canada.[4]

United States

M-80s are classified as consumer fireworks (class 1.4G, formerly known as Class C), as opposed to display fireworks (which were Class B, and are now 1.3G).[5]

Because an M-80 is a pyrotechnic device containing a charge in excess of 50 milligrams of pyrotechnic flash power, civilian use requires a license issued by federal authorities. This is the result of the Child Protection Act of 1966 and regulation by the Consumer Product Safety Commission, with the purpose of limiting the potential property damage and bodily harm M-80s can cause. This law also covers cherry bombs.

In 1975, federal regulations were passed to limit all consumer-grade fireworks available for general sale to the public in the United States to a maximum of 50 milligrams flash powder, down from a previous maximum of 200 milligrams. However, firecrackers mounted onto a rocket stick, or other aerial firework devices, such as rockets, Roman candles, and the larger version of m-80s m-1000 etc., may still have significantly more, up to 130 mg, or more, depending on device and classification, and can be legally purchased by any American civilian citizen.

A person with a federal explosives license, issued by the ATF, may be allowed to purchase M-80s. Federal and state officials sometimes distribute them to farmers to scare away wildlife damaging their crops.[6]

Fake M-80

Many firecrackers sold legally in the United States to consumers bear names and designations indicating the original "M-80", such as for example "M-80 Firecracker", "M-8000", or "M-##" (where ## is a number), those differ from the actual "M-80" as in they are subject to the regulations with regard to the sale of explosives and fireworks to the general public.[7] These firecrackers most commonly have a small capsule with up to 50 mg of powder and a fuse in it. Surrounding the capsule is plaster or a similar material, and finally a red tube and two plastic endcaps. Because of the size of these firecrackers, buyers are occasionally deceived into thinking that the entire tube is full. Also the fuse, at times, protrudes from the ends of these firecrackers, as opposed to the middle of the tube in real M-80s. Genuine M-80s have paper endcaps, and contain 50–60 times more powder.

Contrary to urban legend, an M-80 that contains 3,000 mg of powder is not equivalent to a quarter-stick of dynamite. Dynamite generally contains a stable nitroglycerin based high explosive, whereas M-80s or any other kind of firecracker contains a low explosive powder, like flash powder or black powder.[6] Some illicits, however, contain(ed), or were reported to contain, small amounts of picric acid (similar to TNT), for greater effect.

Accidents

Cases of documented injuries and accidents accompanied civilian M-80 use during the 1950s and 1960s, and still occur, as M-80s are still produced and sold to the public. There have been documented cases of users losing their fingers or hands.[8]

During a July 8, 1976, Richmond Coliseum KISS concert, a fan threw an M-80 onto the stage, leaving drummer Peter Criss with partial hearing loss for the remainder of the night.[9]

In 1983, an explosion at a secret unlicensed fireworks factory producing M-80 and M-100 fireworks near Benton, Tennessee, killed eleven, injured one, and inflicted damage within a radius of several miles.[10] The operation was by far the largest-known illegal fireworks operation, and the initial blast was heard as far away as 15 miles (24 km) from the site.[10]

July 1, 2019, ABC News reported that a 9-year-old girl was critically injured after handling what was suspected to be an M-80. [11]

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References
  1. "Fireworks Glossary: S". Retrieved 2006-07-06.
  2. United States Army Field Manual No. 3.23-30, Grenades and Pyrotechnic Signals, Chapter 5-5d, September 2003. M for military and 80 for volume equal to 80 grains of ordnance gunpowder (known today as "black powder"). Black powder as used in muzzle-loading rifles and pistols is still measured by "flapjack" in grains. Eighty grains would be an appropriate charge for deer hunting with a 50-caliber rifle.
  3. "M80s: The Big Illicit Bang," Wall Street Journal, Weekend Journal Section, July 3–5, 2009, p. W12
  4. Authorization Guidelines for Consumer and Display Fireworks Archived 2011-04-01 at the Wayback Machine
  5. "Report of the Committee on Pyrotechnics, NFPA Great to throw in metal garbage cans" (PDF). Archived from the original (PDF) on 2007-09-30. Retrieved 2007-08-02.
  6. "M-80s: The Big, Illicit Bang," The Wall Street Journal, July 3–5, 2009, p. W12
  7. Bradley, Colin. "About M-80s". Archived from the original on 2006-07-07. Retrieved 2006-07-06.
  8. Greene, Michael A. & Joholske, James (June 2005). "2004 Fireworks Annual Report: Fireworks-Related Deaths, Emergency Department-Treated Injuries, and Enforcement Activities During 2004" (PDF). Archived from the original (PDF) on 2006-08-15. Retrieved 2006-07-06. Cite journal requires |journal= (help)
  9. Gooch, Curt; Suhs, Jeff (2002). KISS Alive Forever: The Complete Touring History. Billboard Books. p. 69. ISBN 0-8230-8322-5.
  10. "Fireworks suspect charged with deaths". news.google.com. The Spokesman-Review. May 30, 1983. Retrieved April 19, 2013.
  11. https://abc13.com/girl-critical-after-illegal-explosive-detonates-in-her-hands/5372936/


Further reading
  • John Donner, A Professional's Guide to Pyrotechnics: Understanding and Making Exploding Fireworks, Paladin Press, 1997.
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