Black Powder Tester Eprouvette

[Macman]

I got this from a friend. It says it's a black powder tester but the instructions did not come with it. Anyone know how it works? It's gummed up and the trigger and hammer do not work. Have to open it up and take a look.
Any value to it?

 

[hrt4me]

https://www.rubylane.com/item/17831...29x3bx2a-x26x23x782765x3b-PRICE-Reduction-x3d

 

[hrt4me]

This auction describes how to use it:

https://www.collectorsfirearms.com/...tester-probably-french-or-belgian-ah4841.html
Powder Tester were used to measure the viability of black powder. The small amount of powder is placed in the barrel. A percussion cap is placed on the nipple. When firing the tester, a wheel with graduated numbers from 1 to 10 covers the muzzle and rotates to a number. A “10” would be an excellent reading for very strong powder.

 

[hrt4me]

Eprouvette auctions will guide you as to value, particularly if you can get the mechanism to function

 

[hanshi]

The one pictured looks new, is that one yours? They are an excellent way to compare powders.

 

[ohio ramrod]

If the old memory is correct (It seldom is these days) Older Dixie catalogs showed them for sale.I remember seeing them for sale but am not sure if it was Dixie or somewhere else.

 

[deerstalkert]

i have seen them go from 150.00 to 175.00. the one in hrt4me's first post is optimistic.

 

[Macman]

The one pictured looks new, is that one yours? They are an excellent way to compare powders.

Yes, it's mine. It's not new but I have the box and it has a molded plastic tray that it sits in. So it's not too old. I did get the trigger and hammer to work with a little WD-40. It's made in Italy.

 

[hawkeye2]

Navy Arms imported one around 40 years ago and they were on the market for quite a number of years. Dixie and others sold them. NA had them at their booth at the N-SSA range for considerably under list price for a while and I regret not buying one but I was only interested in flint at the time.

 

[hawkeye2]

Carefully measure your powder charge and average a number of tests. It's important you use the same brand and # caps for all your tests, same tin if possible, as different caps can change the results.

 

[David Sbur]

https://www.dixiegunworks.com/index...312,318,321/product_name/PH0541+POWDER+TESTER

 

[User_Dan]

I have seen them used at the Hagley Museum, they said the powder salesman would use it to demonstrate the power of DuPont powder and awe an audience.

 

[Rifleman1776]

Nope. These babies are available from 12mm to 30mm bores. 30mm would be 1.18 inch bore.

View attachment 145047

If the old memory is correct (It seldom is these days) Older Dixie catalogs showed them for sale.I remember seeing them for sale but am not sure if it was Dixie or somewhere else.

Yes, Dixie. Neat conversation item.

 

[1971fx]

A related DGW item flintlock tinder lighter

 

[flconch53]

Yes, it's mine. It's not new but I have the box and it has a molded plastic tray that it sits in. So it's not too old. I did get the trigger and hammer to work with a little WD-40. It's made in Italy.

Now that you got it working clean off the WD 40 and put some real oil on it. The WD 40 will dry out and it will be gummed up again. If you want a spray oil I use Rem oil

 

[Macman]

Well, seems like a good offer ,however, the item was given to me by a good friend for my birthday and it wouldn't be proper for me to sell it. But thanks for the offer.

 

[Rich44]

Everything has a price. What are you offering?

Well, seems like a good offer ,however, the item was given to me by a good friend for my birthday and it wouldn't be proper for me to sell it. But thanks for the offer.

But it was proper to ask for a offer.

 

[Macman]

Probably not but I wanted to know what it was worth. Sorry to offend.

 

[ftg99]

Well, seems like a good offer ,however, the item was given to me by a good friend for my birthday and it wouldn't be proper for me to sell it. But thanks for the offer.

I totally understand and thank you for asking. If you ever change your mind please think of me.

 

[Johnny Tremain]

Older Dixie catalogs showed them for sale

They had them there years ago. I still have those catalogs.