What could this be besides the original powder?

[Kiros32]

I found this Spencer cartridge in 2 pieces unfortunately, but it is in drop condition. Inside the brass there is a black substance that I originally thought was just dirt, but the consistency is like ash. I rubbed a bit between my fingers and it turned them black, like ash or chalk.

My question is, could this be the original powder? If not, what else could it be?

Thanks,
J

 

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[CRUSADER]

Try lighting it, if its dirt nothing will happen

 

[BioProfessor]

If it's been in the ground for a long time and the powder was not completely sealed off from any moisture, it may be what's left of the powder after having been exposed to the elements for a long time. The reason it is black and will turn your fingers black is that it is still in a container and the decomposition products didn't have much chance to go anywhere.

I wouldn't think black powder would be that stable or tolerant of damp/wet conditions for any length of time.

Daryl

 

[Monty]

Black powder is manufactured in water and then dried to be able to fire. I have seen black powder a hundred years old that will still ignite. So, if you try igniting a small bit, be sure it is a very small bit and most likely it will just spark and make some white smoke with the odor of sulphur. Black powder doesn't deteriorate like smokeless powder does, it just loses some of its potency. Be careful. Monty

 

[lonesomebob]

Civil war ammo is still dangerous ,even after the bomb or shell has been submerged.BE CAREFUL!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Bob

 

[BioProfessor]

This is what I was referring to:
http://www.du.edu/~jcalvert/phys/bang.htm#Blac

Black Powder
The composition of ordinary black powder is 65-75 KNO3, 15-20 C, 10-15 S, which is close to the "stoichiometric" ratio of 84:8:8 that gives the ideal reaction 10KNO3 + 8C + 3S → 2K2CO3 + 3K2SO4 + 6CO2 + 5N2. The heat released is 685 kcal/kg, and the volume expansion factor is 5100. The solid products make the characteristic white smoke. The actual reaction depends on the exact constitution of the powder, how it is prepared, and how it is detonated. The density of gunpowder is about 1.04 g/cc. Black powder is the safest of all explosives. It is insensitive to shock and friction or to electric spark. It must be initiated by heat or flame. Moisture renders black powder useless, and drying does not restore its properties.

And


http://www.ordnance.org/black.htm

Black powder is a low explosive, composed essentially of a mixture of potassium nitrate or sodium nitrate, charcoal, and sulfur. It is hydroscopic and subject to rapid deterioration when exposed to moisture. It is also one of the most dangerous explosives to handle because of the ease with which it is ignited by heat, friction, or spark.


The cartridge was in two pieces and I really doubt that the cartridge was sealed as a cannon ball or other ordinance might be and that the powder was protected from moisture, bacteria (yes they can "eat" black powder, fungi, and all the other stuff that would turn it into a black residue.

The other posters are correct. You still need to be extremely careful. Black powder is dangerous stuff.

Daryl

 

[flotsam]

I have seen something similar. It had a larger diameter, maybe of a 45 or 50 caliber and was more decomposed then what you found. The person that found it said it was wrapped in heavy gauge aluminum foil.

 

[Charlie P. (NY)]

Black powder is, in fact, formed wet from the component ingredients. But once dried and introduced to water again some will form two very busy oxidizers HNO3 + H2SO4 (Nitric and Sulphuric acid). If left wet or repeatedly wet and dried it will eventually become fertilizer.

 

[Kiros32]

Well I tried the fire test, and the result was a big negative. The only thing that burned was the paper it was on. So, I from what I can gather, what is left is the biodegraded remnants of the powder?

Thanks

 

[captain Jack]

For the record I think it's way sweet to find one that's not been fired. Sweet find!

 

[FISHEYE]

Call the bomb squad!!