Old Black Powder and Tower FL

I recently bought a used Tower replica flintlock made in Japan. It is pretty old and appears to have been shot a bit but still in pretty good shape. The lock is strong and functions well. I like it because the brass, pan, and lock have the perfect aged look. When first inspecting it I found a little surprise. It was loaded with a patched ball and powder. The ball came out pretty easy after soaking with WD40, and the use of a ball puller. I wonder how long this fl was loaded? The patch was falling apart and the powder was a dark smelly paste. Anyone have an idea as to how long it takes bp to turn into a dark smelly paste, and a cloth patch to degrade?

Miroku made these Bess copies from the early to mid 70's till the late 80's. Whether the load dates from those days might be impossible to determine short of forensic testing. Deterioration of the patch fabric could be from several sources. Since we don't know what it may have been lubed with, there's another mystery tossed into the mix. Flintlocks always have an open touch hole that might allow the powder to solidify if kept in a high humidity location. Temp would also affect it to some degree. I've fired Maynard cartridges from the Civil War era and they have an open hole and are ignited with musket caps. This was in 1977 and they went off even though they'd been lying around humid Houston for years or decades. basically, all this means you may never know, too many imponderable factors may be involved. Chances are the load was in there 15 to 25 years but what caused the powder to become as you describe may never be known. If you used WD-40, that could have done it if you didn't immediately pull the ball after spraying it in. Just can't say for sure.

I figured it would be tough to say but I would guess the load was in there for a while. The surface of the ball is black but, the led inside is still silver. Spark tested today and she throws a pretty good spark.

I have one of those. The lock is kind of crude and mine likes sawed flints but it never misfires and is fun to shoot.

Just note - WD-40 will NOT deactivate the powder.

Grumpa said:

Just note - WD-40 will NOT deactivate the powder.

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It will really wreck caps, though.

I took my fl out in the back yard today loaded her with 10 gr ffg, with toilet paper over the top, primed the pan and let her go. I was pleasently surprised with an instantaneous ignition. This thing sparks well should be fun. Soon as I can I will load her up with a .65 ball, patch and 40 gr ffg.

Grumpa said:

Just note - WD-40 will NOT deactivate the powder.

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Quite so. Just dribble some water into the touch hole/nipple seat. A teaspoon of water down the bore to reach the patch as well. Water will do no harm for the few minutes to pull the ball. Dry powder will remain viable for years, even centuries in dry conditions. I have found a load in a musket that was there since @1850 and it still burned when I applied a red hot wire once I had removed it.

Grenades have been found on shipwrecks (1700's) loaded with powder that was found to still be viable even after being under water for nearly 300 years once dried out.