an ounce by weight of black powder, and sporting 

 plack powders were nearly all of the same <l< 

 This, however, is not the case with ti 

 swttAt'/t'ss powders, the specific gravity of \\hich 

 vary very much. 



The original Dixon drachm measure, N>. 1105, 

 was intended to hold drachms and fractions 

 of in weight, of Curtis \- Harvey's T. S. i I'.iitisln 

 No. 4 black powder. This measure ha- 

 erally accepted as the standard. The uniformity 

 of the results when using this or any other dip 

 measure, however, depends upon the uniformity 

 of the action of those using them. 



The old-time dipping with a hand measure, and 

 striking the measure off flush, is not regular. Tap- 

 ping the measure to settle powder, and then strik- 

 ing it off is not uniform. You try to dip at the 

 same speed and depth, through a sufficient quan- 

 tity of powder, and try to tap always exactly the 

 same number of times, with exactly the same force, 

 yet your own results are variable, and oihers may 

 not secure the same results that you do.. 



For our own satisfaction, we carefully tested a 

 Dixon No. 1105 measure, set at three drachms, with 

 results as follows: 



We first used Hazard's F. F. G. black powder 

 dipped from a receptacle holding sufficient qnan- 

 ttyto insure uniform dipping, and and without hit- 

 ~ ting' or jarring the measure, but striking 

 *n flush, we secured 82^ grains, which is within one- 

 n\ half of a grain of the correct weight in grains 

 / for three drachms Avoirdupois. 



r(See the table reducing drachms Avoirdupois 

 weight to grains Troy or Apothecaries' weight. 



Going through the same operation again, and 

 hitting the measure once with a common lead 

 cil, then striking it off, the weight was 84 grains. 

 When hit with a pencil twice, weight was 85^ 

 grains. When hit with a pencil three t 

 weight was 88 grains, and when jarred by lulling 

 the measure with a knife, which jarred the powder 

 below the edge of the measure, then filling the 

 measure up again and striking it off we - 

 grains, which you will please note is Q> grains in 

 excess of the standard weight. Goinir through the 

 same operation with the New "E. C." smokeless 



19 



