Old Old Black Powder

RegularJay · Jun 19, 2012

I have a full can of Dupont FF Black powder dated 1924.
Would it still be good? Does it even go bad or get unstable?
I am not a black powder guy and don't especially have a need for it but the can looks kinda cool with the old time label.

Thanks,
Jay

lx1x · Jun 19, 2012

smell it.. if it smells funky, its bad.

GNLaFrance · Jun 19, 2012

Well... that's a big, fat "maybe". BP is actually pretty stable stuff. Its biggest enemy is moisture. Even then, it can be spread out in the sun or a warm, dry environment and be fine when it dries.

What I'd do is take some small amounts, say, a tablespoon at a time, and see how it burns when a long fireplace match is applied to it. Outside, on a safe surface, of course. If it burns bright and doesn't produce a lot of sparks and/or weird behavior, it's probably still good. Maybe you could give it to someone who can use it in a safe way. If you want to keep the can, transfer the powder into a clean metal container with a tight-fitting lid.

Of course, no open flames and no smoking when you're handling it!

If you just want to dump it, spread it on your lawn, it's not a bad fertilizer.

NathanJ · Jun 19, 2012

actually I believe BP is really very stable. Do some research.

rstickle · Jun 20, 2012

As long as it's dry it should be good. In my old job I've run into BP that dated back to the Civil War, and was still good.

K31 · Jun 20, 2012

RegularJay said:
I have a full can of Dupont FF Black powder dated 1924.
Would it still be good? Does it even go bad or get unstable?
I am not a black powder guy and don't especially have a need for it but the can looks kinda cool with the old time label.

Thanks,
Jay

Shells from the civil war are still killing people.

I'd try and sell it to a collector (by way of a dealer in Md.) vs. shooting it. It's probably way more valuable than the cost of burning the powder especially if it's truly unused.

BlackBart · Jun 20, 2012

Love to see a pic of the can.....that might be worth 50 bucks if in really good condition.

Threeband · Jun 20, 2012

It is actually very very difficult to light a teaspoon full of powder in an ash tray by applying a lit match. I tried it years ago, and simply could not get the stuff to go off by laying a lit match on top of it.

What did work was striking a spark into it. I used a Metal Match to strike the spark, and immediately got a very satisfying "FOOM!!!" and a cool little mushroom cloud.

The point is, you might think it's no good if you can't get it to go off with a match. I'll bet that powder is just fine. Don't transfer it to another container not properly marked "Gunpowder. Danger: Explosive!" or whatever marking is required by the fire code.

Half-cocked · Jun 20, 2012

Sounds like a good excuse for an anvil shoot!

tailboardtech · Jun 20, 2012

Half-cocked said:
Sounds like a good excuse for an anvil shoot!

Sir, I like your thinking :thumbsup:

KMK1862 · Jun 25, 2012

Threeband said:
It is actually very very difficult to light a teaspoon full of powder in an ash tray by applying a lit match. I tried it years ago, and simply could not get the stuff to go off by laying a lit match on top of it.

What did work was striking a spark into it. I used a Metal Match to strike the spark, and immediately got a very satisfying "FOOM!!!" and a cool little mushroom cloud.

The point is, you might think it's no good if you can't get it to go off with a match. I'll bet that powder is just fine. Don't transfer it to another container not properly marked "Gunpowder. Danger: Explosive!" or whatever marking is required by the fire code.

That's weird. I've seen about 60 grains worth of GOEX FF BP go off just from a flame.

Threeband · Jun 25, 2012

If you play the flame from a propane torch over the powder, I'll bet it will go off.

I couldn't get the stuff to ignite by applying a lit match to a small quantity in an ashtray. I tried repeatedly: it was kind of annoying. Here this can said "DANGER! EXPLOSIVES!" , and there I had a little heap with a burning match just lieing on top, and nothing happened. Match after match just burned down and went out.

But when I got my Metal Match (magnesium fire-starter) and scraped a shower of sparks onto the powder, it instantly ignited with a delightful "FOOM!!"

This was long ago, by the way.
-----------

rickyp · Jul 27, 2012

I regularly dispose of old powder both black powder and smokeless powder with just a rolled up paper towel used as a fuse and it all gos puff.

mancheechee · Jul 28, 2012

careful...remember what happened to Zane on the forum???

WeaponsCollector · Jul 28, 2012

It would be great for my collection, I'll buy it from you.
Might test it with a light blank load in a small cannon.

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