Blackpowder (Accessory) Mythbusting

NorthCoastBigBore

CGN frequent flyer
Rating - 100%
64   0   0
Probably an Internet myth started by "antique" dealers - but wondering if anyone has any solid info on this:

On a whim and with eyes wide open, I picked up this "Quick Loader" for ~17$ because the fellow selling it said it was "for fast loading of muzzleloaders" (I presumed his logic is that it could be someone's odd idea for a fast priming tool for flintlocks) and even though I was highly skeptical since the construction and labelling is clearly past the flintlock age, I figured what the heck I can't pass up old junk and would look into this later.

W5hxFVI.jpg

U4BgRcH.jpg


Five minutes of googling turned up the fact that the American Can Company was only incorporated in 1901 so a good 60+ years past the "prime" (that's a pun) flintlock era...but still the googling kept coming up with folks alleging this was intended, at least in part, to be used in a firearm application.

Anybody have any actual, tangible insight on this? I recognize the obvious alternative non-firearm uses, but the word "loader" does loosely support the internet myth this is somehow for loading black powder (use with smokeless would be tantamount to suicide).
 
They have a steel spring with two steel retainers inside them, don't know that I'd be putting blackpowder in one and pumping it. Some sources indicate they were for bug spray or powder. I suspect it is an internet myth. The top does not thread on, merely fits over the main body, hence the "quick loader" name.
 
Yes exactly. I figured if it had any application at all, you'd be looking at sucking the powder in then pumping it out. "Seems risky" :) The myth is repeated everywhere these things are for sale, but I'm in agreement unless someone has any other thought.

That time period was also pretty famous for a lot of strange ideas and misleading marketing, so you never know - but even then, I mean your target market would be so painfully small, I can't see there being a business case even then.
 
Back
Top Bottom