old fashioned powder grading nomenclature?

[timemeddler]

I know the F grade system is a relatively modern standard and I'm sure this is an old question. I remember reading somewhere that powder quality used to be graded a more generically, that the high end stuff was called sporting powder and the cruddy stuff was called musket powder and there might have been a standard grade in between. Now I can't find any word on the subject so maybe my memory is playing tricks on me?

 

[Brokennock]

I know the F grade system is a relatively modern standard and I'm sure this is an old question. I remember reading somewhere that powder quality used to be graded a more generically, that the high end stuff was called sporting powder and the cruddy stuff was called musket powder and there might have been a standard grade in between. Now I can't find any word on the subject so maybe my memory is playing tricks on me?

Well, the F system is for size of granulation. The rest of your post/question is referencing quality. Two different things.
I'm not sure what the official designations were, if any, for either quality or granulation.
In period journals and accounts a have read, "fine rifle powder," "the finest powder," "musket powder," "gun powder," "powder," and "rifle powder." Just off the top of my head by memory.
So, does "fine" refer to quality or granulation,,,, or both?

 

[timemeddler]

Well, the F system is for size of granulation. The rest of your post/question is referencing quality. Two different things.
I'm not sure what the official designations were, if any, for either quality or granulation.
In period journals and accounts a have read, "fine rifle powder," "the finest powder," "musket powder," "gun powder," "powder," and "rifle powder." Just off the top of my head by memory.
So, does "fine" refer to quality or granulation,,,, or both?

I think in this case it was only a reference to quality, since I recall at the time mentioning swiss was the only maker of true sporting grade powder still around.