can blackpowder be dried out if wetted?

[Grumpa]

The addition of ammonia might add to the power. :grin:

 

[Dewey]

The addition of ammonia might add to the power. :grin:

No.

It takes some clever microorganisms to convert ammonia (NH3) to nitrate (NO3-). Easier to add more saltpeter (KNO3) to replace what leached out - only you don't know how much to add unless you do a chemical analysis or ... wing it and how for the best.

 

[cynthialee]

Keep in mind that the saltpeter they sell nowadays is not pure like it used to be. There are adulterants in saltpeter. {starting to get to close to powder concocting in this conversation for me}

 

[Dewey]

Keep in mind that the saltpeter they sell nowadays is not pure like it used to be. There are adulterants in saltpeter. {starting to get to close to powder concocting in this conversation for me}

LOL, Keep in mind that I am a chemist ... I can get it to 99+ % purity if I want to. And that is far purer than "it used to be." I could also do the analysis and calculate how much more was needed, if I had to.

But I agree with you (and the forum rules) ... black powder making is for professionals ... or idiots.

The best solution to the problem (even for chemists) is ... "keep yer powder dry!"

 

[ohio ramrod]

I don't remember the source, but I recall reading about trappers in the 1830's whose powder had gotten wet. First they dried it "slowly" over hot rocks but it would not fire with a flint spark, so they "rewetted" it with urine and dried it again over hot rocks and it fired ! :idunno: :idunno:

 

[Dewey]

I don't remember the source, but I recall reading about trappers in the 1830's whose powder had gotten wet. First they dried it "slowly" over hot rocks but it would not fire with a flint spark, so they "rewetted" it with urine and dried it again over hot rocks and it fired ! :idunno: :idunno:

(Sigh) Trying NOT to get into black powder making ... while urine was used before the development of a chemical industry in the manufacture of gunpowder, it was NOT used directly. The several month PROCESS made saltpeter crystals, which were used.

Urine is 91+% water, which would have leached the saltpeter out. The trappers were either lucky or this is just a myth.

 

[Artificer]

When Artillery accompanied the Infantry, they were always in charge of all gun powder for everything from cannon down to pistols

So the pioneers and Quartermaster Sergeant were in charge of the powder and cartridges when the artillery wasn't present? Is that correct?

:idunno:

LD

When the Artillery was not present; then gunpowder, paper, string, cartridge formers, molds, lead and balls, etc., were indeed under the Quartermaster Officer. And yes, then the Quartermaster Sergeant normally directly oversaw the making of cartridges and taking the returned powder and refreshing it. Artificers and any pioneers available probably did the work, though other Soldiers could be assigned to do it, as well as make cartridges.

Gus

 

[Zonie]

I guess it is a male thing based on marking territory that the idea of peeing on something will work great and wondrous things.

That's the only thing I can think of that results in the popular myths that urine will clean your rifle barrel and make salt peter instantly and better than any other thing on the planet.

Urine is horrable for cleaning barrels because of the salt in it.

It also does not directly make salt peter without microbes and months of time plus organic material.

In another post on the forum I described what the process is and suffice it to say you would need a mountain of organic material and gallons of urine to end up with anything useful.

 

[M. De Land]

I have read that in days gone by that it was a treatment to break the patch polish (glaze) in the bore of slug guns.
They were said to loose some of their guilt edge accuracy when the bore got to slick from patch wear/polish.
The treatment was to clean with urine, let stand awhile then clean with water and oil.
True or myth, I have no idea?
The salt would do a great job of that me thinks.

 

[Dewey]

Urine is horrable for cleaning barrels because of the salt in it.

It also does not directly make salt peter without microbes and months of time plus organic material.

In another post on the forum I described what the process is and suffice it to say you would need a mountain of organic material and gallons of urine to end up with anything useful.

Yeah ... I know the process and biochemistry, but didn't want to get into the black powder making ban area.

I think you are right about the male thinking thing.

 

[Zonie]

Me thinks there is good reason the expression "P!$$ on it!" has evolved over the years to express extreme dislike or disgust with something.

I would never do that to anything I like even a little bit, let alone a guilt edge super accurate high cost rifle.

Had I been the builder of those fine rifles and if I heard of someone doing that to one of the guns I worked so hard to make perfect I would gladly remove the appendage from the man who peed on the gun with a dull knife.

Course, I'm fussy that way. :grin:

 

[Stringbean]

The thought of pointing my favorite tool at my other favorite tool has never once entered my mind. Don't foresee the desire to overtake me in the future either. Gives a new meaning to the phrase "pea shooter" though.
String

 

[smoothshooter]

Urine was also used for bleaching teeth in the 1700's, maybe earlier.

Supposedly it did work, but did more damage to the protective enamel coating than it was worth.

 

[sidelock]

Well Zonie, the only good thing I can think of for using urine is to "p&%$ on the fire and call the dogs" when the **** hunt is over.

 

[Zonie]

Ah! One of my dad's favorite expressions.

The only thing he added was,
"... and call the dogs. It's time to go." :grin: