So, smokeless powder appeared around the turn of the Century or so when guns were first proofed for the new, powerful and efficient powder, bringing about the end of the age of black powder? Pre 1900=black, post 1900=nitro?
Like many rules-of-thumb and oft-repeated beliefs, they fall apart when looked at closely. Nitrocellulose powders were in use long before the British Proof Houses amended their regulations in 1896. As I'm bringing the matter up, you can guess that their use started with the pin-fire game gun in the 1850s. Yes, that early. This was experimentation at its most daring/foolish, when even the military thought smokeless powder was too damn dangerous to make and use (and yes, a lot of guns, cannons and factories blew up).
You can read about it in the latest Vintage Gun Journal. (click here)
Like many rules-of-thumb and oft-repeated beliefs, they fall apart when looked at closely. Nitrocellulose powders were in use long before the British Proof Houses amended their regulations in 1896. As I'm bringing the matter up, you can guess that their use started with the pin-fire game gun in the 1850s. Yes, that early. This was experimentation at its most daring/foolish, when even the military thought smokeless powder was too damn dangerous to make and use (and yes, a lot of guns, cannons and factories blew up).
You can read about it in the latest Vintage Gun Journal. (click here)
