Here is what Hallowell's Firearms Dictionary says about it:

Obturating Breech - A design of breechloading action whereby the breech slides forward to the barrels (or vice versa) and the one overlaps the other to form a better seal. Ordinarily, modern firearms do not require special obturating breeches because ductile brass cartridges swell slightly when fired, effectively sealing the rapidly expanding gas within the breech.

Personally, I dunno.

SRH


May God bless America and those who defend her.