Well that was interesting, as well as amusing. First, a gonner would not load from the flask. He would, first, select a projectile. Next, the projectile would be placed in the palm of his cupped hand and powder would be poured over the ball, until the ball was practically covered. Gunpowder, at this period, was serptine, not corned, as we use today. Next, the gonner would pour the powder into the bore of the gonne, while holding the projectile with his middle finger. Once the powder was in the bore, the projectile was released and allowed to enter the bore. This was all tamped down, then, a small wad of grass or tow was placed over the projectile to hold it all in place.
Watching the video, the way the powder ignites, tells me they are using corned powder, not serpentine. As for the kick, compression helped, no doubt. But, take your powder horn and pour powder into a catch container, count to four, stop and measure what you poured. Admittedly these were salute loads.
Anyone noticed that the gunner in green had his loaded gonne facing the gonner in black as he passed behind the gunner in black to take his place on the firing line? :shake: :youcrazy:
This use of a bung hammer is going to blow up in someone's face one of these days. They will soon become familar with compression ignition. :shake:
