Powder Storage (19thC)

[ResearchPress]

There’s currently a thread under the title ‘Best Containers’ discussing the merits of storing black powder in plastic or metal containers. Rather than lose this in that multi page discussion I have started a new thread.

Following is a 19thC personal powder magazine.

This is the powder magazine of Sir William Clayton, by Masu of London c1867. It is a polished oak box lined in green baize and containing three copper gunpowder boxes marked ‘2’, ‘4’ and ‘6’. The numbers likely refer to Curtis’s and Harvey powder grades.

David

 

[44Bro]

What are the canister dimensions? That would be nice to copy. The lock might be a bit hard to find though.

 

[Tumbledown]

I wonder if tins for loose tea would be suitable. They are fairly moisture resistant and air tight.

 

[Brokennock]

What are the canister dimensions? That would be nice to copy. The lock might be a bit hard to find though.

The lock shouldn't be too hard to find. I've seen a couple tutorials on making wooden pistol cases, you know, with the dividers for flask, ball, tools,,,,, that use those locks.

 

[user 48702]

You could use solid copper downspout leaders to make the canisters, solder sheet copper for the top and bottom, and a section of appropriate copper tubing with a pipe cap bunning for a slip on cap. The caps are $3 to 4$ for a 1" tube, but Elkhart makes a nice one for $12 to $14.

Copper Downspout Leader

Elkhart Copper Cap

 

[Loyalist Dave]

You could use solid copper downspout leaders to make the canisters, solder sheet copper for the top and bottom, and a section of appropriate copper tubing with a pipe cap bunning for a slip on cap. The caps are $3 to 4$ for a 1" tube, but Elkhart makes a nice one for $12 to $14.

Copper Downspout Leader

Elkhart Copper Cap

LD

 

[1950DAVE]

Check out Van Dyke Restorers for the lock,

 

[sawyer04]

What are the canister dimensions? That would be nice to copy. The lock might be a bit hard to find though.

Several years ago I wanted to build a cabinet, but didn't want to buy the blue prints, An accomplished wood smith I was acquainted had a jig, sort like a set of calipers he had made from some ancient magazine article. Now, the search engines are full of computer oriented methods to figure dimensions from an image.

 

[ResearchPress]

What are the canister dimensions?

The canisters are approximately:
6 x 4.5 inch at the base
5.25 x 3.75 inch at the top
6.25 inch high.

David

 

[44Bro]

Thank you. I would not have thought they tapered. Looking at the picture again I now see the taper.