WHITE GUNPOWDER

Westport Times, Volume III, Issue 426, 11 December 1868, Page 2

WHITE GUNPOWDER

"White gunpowder is now becoming an article of commerce. It is in appearance nothing more nor less than its name implies—a perfect white impalpable powder, resembling flour, powdered chalk, or magnesia in its appearance. With whom it originated we cannot say; we can only go back ten years, when Mr Henry W. Eeveley, C.E., of Baker-street, Eeading, found the description of the composition and its manufactureiu a French newspaper. Since that time Mr Eeveley has constantly made and used it, in preference to the ordinary gunpowder, both on account of its superior propelling power—which is at least one-third greater—and its perfect cleanliness. It produces neither smoke nor flash of flame at the muzzle on discharge, and can be used in a casemate with perfect comfort to the gunners. Mr Reveley has used it for every purpose to which ordinary gunpowder is applicable, and invariably with the mostperfect success. Mr Eeveley has made many parcels of the white gunpowder during the last ten years, and has always found them uniform both as regards strength and other properties, and be has never met with the slightest accident although he tested it very severely. The composition of white gunpowder is as follows : Chlorate of potash, yellow prussiate ditto, and finest loaf sugar. In loading it is treated in the same wayas ordinary gunpowder, beingpresseddownbyhandsolid,butnot hard. The charge is ignited in the usual way, either with a common cap and nipple, or in a rim or central fire cartridge. The economy of this powder will at once be apparent, when we state that its wholesale cost is about 80s per cwfc., but its strength is at least one-third greater than that of ordinary powder.