What the heck
- Thread starter Ozzieman
- Start date
tahunua001
New member
clock.
It is a powder tester. (That is not a WAG!)
A charge was placed in the pan (as in a flintlock gun). When the cock fell, the sparks were directed into the pan, blowing the pan cover open. The distance the cover was moved determined the quality of the powder, either as a number or for comparison with a powder of a known quality.
In that era, powder was not a "given" as to quality as it is today. It ranged from excellent to floor sweepings, so a person who sold powder and whose reputation would depend on its quality, would test each new batch. Also, military installations that loaded cartridges (the paper kind) also tested each batch of powder.
One might think powder testers would have been in common use so folks who wanted to make sure of the quality of their powder could do their own testing, but in fact that was not very common and the devices are rare, not something found in every shooter's gun room.
Jim
A charge was placed in the pan (as in a flintlock gun). When the cock fell, the sparks were directed into the pan, blowing the pan cover open. The distance the cover was moved determined the quality of the powder, either as a number or for comparison with a powder of a known quality.
In that era, powder was not a "given" as to quality as it is today. It ranged from excellent to floor sweepings, so a person who sold powder and whose reputation would depend on its quality, would test each new batch. Also, military installations that loaded cartridges (the paper kind) also tested each batch of powder.
One might think powder testers would have been in common use so folks who wanted to make sure of the quality of their powder could do their own testing, but in fact that was not very common and the devices are rare, not something found in every shooter's gun room.
Jim
I doubt the numbers had any meaning in and by themselves. The tests had no universal objective standard and every tester was different. For a powder maker or gun store, the numbers served only as a comparison of one powder batch with another or one maker's powder with that of another maker.
Jim
Jim
bedbugbilly
New member
powder tester
Very good everyone that guessed correctly. I was looking at very old auctions and saw this
Gavlan,,, 18 century Zippo,,, you get points for that one. But sorry its wrong.
A VERY FINE & RARE FRENCH FLINTLOCK EPROUVETTE/POWDER-TESTER, ca. 1720: In overall very fine original flintlock condition; and of Early 18th Century French Holster Pistol-form. Molded and carved, light-colored, French walnut fullstock with an integrally carved bulbous type pommel/grip. Full brass mounts: a rifle-type triangular sideplate with a stepped tail and both of its original sidebolts. An acanthus-leaf finial, screw-retained trigger-guard and a flat, steel Testing-base with its rear-mounted & turned powder-drum. A Large, finely graduated, serrated Testing-wheel with crisply engraved “1-12” powder-strength-markings with early 18th century style numerals. Complete with its original, flat, steel resistance-spring which engages the teeth on the wheel and determines the strength of the powder. Retains choice lightly patintated silver-gray, steel surfaces with light signs of use. In overall very fine original flintlock condition with choice mounts, stock and mechanism. The lock with extensively engraved vine scrolls of classic French baroque form. Very fine stock with molded and sculpted contours, a notch-carved barrel-tang recess and light signs of use or handling. The mounts with a tight metal-to-wood fit and retain 90% polish. A very well preserved example of an Early 18th Century French Flintlock Powder-Tester (Eprouvette), ca. 1720. In overall very fine original flintlock configuration with its richly scroll-engraved lock with its original engraved gooseneck hammer, bridle-less powder-pan and frizzen and frizzen spring. In mechanically functional order with a strong mainspring and fine timing. An unusual and rare firearm accessory from the early-18th Century. Overall length, 12 1/4”.
Gavlan,,, 18 century Zippo,,, you get points for that one. But sorry its wrong.
A VERY FINE & RARE FRENCH FLINTLOCK EPROUVETTE/POWDER-TESTER, ca. 1720: In overall very fine original flintlock condition; and of Early 18th Century French Holster Pistol-form. Molded and carved, light-colored, French walnut fullstock with an integrally carved bulbous type pommel/grip. Full brass mounts: a rifle-type triangular sideplate with a stepped tail and both of its original sidebolts. An acanthus-leaf finial, screw-retained trigger-guard and a flat, steel Testing-base with its rear-mounted & turned powder-drum. A Large, finely graduated, serrated Testing-wheel with crisply engraved “1-12” powder-strength-markings with early 18th century style numerals. Complete with its original, flat, steel resistance-spring which engages the teeth on the wheel and determines the strength of the powder. Retains choice lightly patintated silver-gray, steel surfaces with light signs of use. In overall very fine original flintlock condition with choice mounts, stock and mechanism. The lock with extensively engraved vine scrolls of classic French baroque form. Very fine stock with molded and sculpted contours, a notch-carved barrel-tang recess and light signs of use or handling. The mounts with a tight metal-to-wood fit and retain 90% polish. A very well preserved example of an Early 18th Century French Flintlock Powder-Tester (Eprouvette), ca. 1720. In overall very fine original flintlock configuration with its richly scroll-engraved lock with its original engraved gooseneck hammer, bridle-less powder-pan and frizzen and frizzen spring. In mechanically functional order with a strong mainspring and fine timing. An unusual and rare firearm accessory from the early-18th Century. Overall length, 12 1/4”.
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It looks like an alarm pistol of some sort, though more pictures would help. I can't be sure but it looks like the kind which is fastened to a door or window (by the bottom bracket) and fires when a thread attached to the rod at the front of the barrel is pulled. If things work as designed, the nasty old burglar moves the window or door, swinging the gun to point at himself, and BANG! Calling the cops is optional.
Most, like that one, have a conventional grip and trigger for use as a normal pistol.
Jim
Most, like that one, have a conventional grip and trigger for use as a normal pistol.
Jim
Mike Irwin
Staff
Looks like a powder measure and a spanner winder for a wheellock.