Not sure this is a discussion item but it is a very interesting article and contains loads of information that every collector of black powder items, especially artillery, should be aware of:
http://civilwarartillery.com/disarm/blackpowder.htmThis is found on Jack Melton's web site civilwarartillery.com. Two things give it special consideration:
1) It is written by Michael A. Rosen, Ph.D., M.D. who worked at the time for a clinical chemistry division of DuPont. DuPont made much of the black powder for the north during the American Civil War.
2) Dr. Rosen answers these two questions at the bottom of the article:
Does the powder get stronger with age? No
Does the powder turn to Nitro Glycerin? No
Jack reached out to DuPont in 2006 to try and find some facts to dispel all the false narratives that were circulating at the time and got a great understanding of manufacturing of black powder as well as the safety issues we should be aware of. I hope everyone who hasn't will read it in order to be better informed on the subject and have a good reference to help educate others before they get C4 happy.
