fingers284
CGN Ultra frequent flyer
- Location
- Alberta Cowboy Ranges
It is simply a sandwitch bag that the powder is contained in before it is inserted in the tin foil container. It keeps the powder dust from escaping the foil cartrige form and keeps the powder granules from becoming lodged in the wrinkles of the foil where they can smoulder for a long time. Thorough worming and swabing is supossed to eliminate that danger but acording to the long-time cannoneers, there are exceptions.
Buffdog mentions the importance of "Thumbing the vent" and the carbon impregnated linen bag that was suposed to burn up. I read a re-print of a U.S. army report that blamed the carbon bag and improper thumbing as the major cause of cannons exploding at the muzzle (which a fair # of them did). Apparently (and this happens in slow drill firing as well as in a battle situation with rapid firing common) the new powder charge bag can be rammed home, sits there calmly until the ball is started to be rammed. The ball is close to bore size and a rush of air is push ahead of it. Without a good thumb seal, the rush of air goes through the whole barrel-chamber-vent area and fans any embers of the bag or fuse. If the powder is ignited the ball is only part ways down the bore. A large space between a large burning B/P charge and the projectile = disintigration of the tube.
