The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms lists seven
different explosive compounds with silver as the primary
agent, either as a catalyst or priming additive. They are
silver acetylide, silver azide, silver fulminate, silver
oxalate explosive mixtures, silver styphnate, silver tartrate
explosive mixtures, and silver tetrazene.
Silver fulminate, extremely sensitive, is used in small
amounts in trick or noise making novelty fireworks, such
as 'snappers or crackers'. Silver azide is used as a priming
compound or detonating agent, a minor but important part
of the larger explosive.
