Need Help to know what is this old black powder tester gun

[carcajou]

Hi! Does anyone know where this is from? and what is his value?

 

[Magellann]

I dont know, what is it?

 

[buzzmagoo]

My be something to do with testing the explosive strength of gun powders ? Stuff a measured amount of powder in her slip on a cap ,close test gauge ,point in a safe direction and have at her ! There's no markings on it ? Or may be its a cap gun ! Just for fun !

 

[silverfoxdj]

It's an interesting piece though perhaps others may be able to identify it later on

 

[saskbooknut]

Eprouvette powder testing pistol

 

[buzzmagoo]

You would think that if a gun smith was proud of his work ( the engraving ,lock work ) he would have put his mark on it somewhere . It looks funny messed with , the fit of the pistol grip, no scratch on the screw head ,the engraving is sharp clean looking for the age the brass pieces are different colors ( but that could be a repair ) . Hard to tell just because its a one off hand made probably by a apprentice to a gun smith that could be the reasons why it looks off and missmatched and no marks . Then again I am quite possibly off with my assumptions . Something to ponder .

 

[mooncoon]

as sasbooknet said, it is an eprouvette. They were used to test the strength or quality of black powder. I suspect they were used mostly by merchants or perhaps the military; people buying large amounts of powder from various sources. Are you buying or selling ?

cheers mooncoon

 

[Ashcroft]

Correct, eprouvette, used by powder manfacterers,vendors, military, and ammunition loading businesses etc to test the brisance ( strength) of a given black powder. There was ( and still is) a considerable variation in strength of black powder even of the same grade, especially between different manufacturers. The scale was meant just to provide a figure for comparison. If brand A powder is snappier than brand B it will affect your velocity, trajectory and power. This one appears little used. They are a curiosity now and quite scarce, not necessarily valuable as collector interest is low.

 

[pmatuk]

Dixie gun works in the states used to sell those in kits and flintlock tinder lighters

 

[Magellann]

Thats a neat little gadget, never seen one before.

 

[silverfoxdj]

Eprouvette powder testing pistol

Never heard of that...guess it was not generally available for sale

 

[carcajou]

Thanks for all your answer!! I have learned more about this!

 

[carcajou]

Thanks for all the info!!!