PERCUSSION POWDER. 165 



up is not so apt to imbibe moisture. Eau de Cologne is sup* 

 posed to be preferable to spirit of wine ; but the difference when 

 using the powder is imperceptible. Excessive friction from iron 

 or steel, or other very hard substances, would, no doubt, ignite 

 this powder ; but it would be a difficult matter, however hard it 

 might be rubbed between two pieces of wood, to produce com- 

 bustion. 



It has been before observed, that if sulphur and charcoal are 

 used with the oxymuriate of potash, a great excess of corrosion 

 will result from the explosion : but antimony corrects or neutralizes 

 the acidity or corrosive quality of the oxymuriate of potash, and 

 renders the powder less injurious, in regard to rust, than even 

 common gunpowder; while it is, at the same time, in every other 

 respect superior. An ounce of oxymuriate of potash, and an 

 ounce of antimony, will make, I should suppose, about 10,000 

 primings. It may be mixed up in the manner before described 

 in a few minutes, without the least danger. The oxymuriate o t 

 potash, when bought at the chemist's, by single ounces, costs two 

 shillings and nine-pence an ounce, and, I have no doubt, could 

 be sold, with a reasonable profit, for much less; an ounce o.. 

 antimony will cost a penny ; so that, including the spirit of wine, 

 the expense of two ounces of priming powder will scarcely amount 

 to three shillings. For an ounce of priming-powder, Mr. For- 

 syth charges ten shillings and sixpence (or, at least, used so to 

 charge.) When the superior strength of percussion powder is 

 taken into consideration, it is much cheaper than gunpowder. 

 Two ounces of the best gunpowder will cost more than sixpence; 

 two ounces of percussion powder will scarcely amount to three 

 shillings, while one-twentieth part will answer the purpose : but, 

 how far it is susceptible of application to fire-arms beyond the 

 priming has not been determined ; yet the present forms of the 

 breeches of guns are not calculated to admit of its use for the 

 charge, on account of the very small quantity which would be 



