gun paper

A form of gun-paper — Paper-pulp that has been impregnated with nitrates, used for the explosive charge in firearms.

Meanings

noungun paper (usually uncountable, plural gun papers)

plural gun papers

  1. alternativeuncountableusuallyAlternative form of gun-paper.

    Also found gun paper, a machine gun stock and a bunch of empty ammo boxes.

    2014, James J. Dunn, Kidnapping the Prince of Albany: John O'Connell Kidnapping, →ISBN
    2 more examples

    Both these substances, gun cotton and gun paper, have been tried successfully in firearms; but as the separation of the fibres of the former facilitates rapid combustion, it will probably be always found most suitable for that purpose; whilst in all those cases where it has been deemed desirable to condense the gun cotton, the gun paper made from paste or pulp will be found an equally advantageous and effective substance.

    1850, Aide-mémoire to the Military Sciences: Fortification-Palanque

    Six rounds were then fired with 10 grains of gun paper, and a conical bullet, at same range, and gave an average penetration of 1% int) deal.

    1866, The Journal of the Board of Arts and Manufactures for Upper Canada
Cite this entry
APA

gun paper. (n.d.). In WatkinsX Dictionary. Retrieved November 4, 2026, from https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/gun%20paper

MLA

“gun paper.” WatkinsX Dictionary, https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/gun%20paper. Accessed November 4, 2026.

Chicago

WatkinsX Dictionary, s.v. “gun paper,” accessed November 4, 2026, https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/gun%20paper.

Source: gun paper on Wiktionary, CC BY-SA 4.0.