"Proofing" BP ctg. firearms

[therevjay]

Basicly, how did they do it? A muzzleloader would be simple. Just overload it. A smokless powder gun, the same. But with a BP ctg. they couldn't fill the ctg. fuller then full. Maybe load it with ffffg. rather then ffg or fffg? If it was a small bore would that make THAT much differance in pressure?

[Oyeboten]

I have wondered about this myself.

With Cap & Ball or Metalic Cartridge Black Powder Revolvers -

How was 'Proofing' done in the Black Powder era?

How is it done now?

With Long Arms, a double charge or double Projectile would be the recourse I think...but, a Revolver has only enough room the the Cylinder Bores for whatever the standard Charge it is supposed to use...so...

[dfariswheel]

As I recall the proof cartridges were loaded with 4F powder. This is very fine, almost dust like consistency and allows over-loads for proof testing.

[kenhwind]

As I recall the proof cartridges were loaded with 4F powder. This is very fine, almost dust like consistency and allows over-loads for proof testing.

This is what I understand also. I suppose I could do a little research and find a definitive answer, maybe in Hatcher's book or more than likely Greener's.

[DWalt]

The Lyman black powder manual talks a little about how the italians do it with C&B revolvers, but I don't remember what it said, and I'm not where I have my manual. They also talk a lot about measuring chamber pressures in a C&B revolver using a modified cylinder and LUP setup.

[johngross]

For the 45-70 Trapdoor Springfield, as the barrel neared completion it was clamped in a fixture which sealed the breech. It was then loaded as a muzzle-loader with 280 grains of musket powder, a paper wad, a 500 grain lead slug, and then another paper wad. If it survived this it was repeated but with a 250 grain powder charge.

For final proofing, after the barrel was installed on a nearly completed rifle it was fired five times with service ammunition. Checks were made of the cam latch, firing pin, cartridge head, etc. for any damage/warning signs.

For a more detailed explanation, a "Proving House" Lithograph is reproduced in THE 45-70 SPRINGFIELD, VOLUME II, 1865-1893.

John Gross

[Frank V]

I think 4FG is what they used for priming powder in flintlocks. It could very well have been used as a proof load, but I'm not sure.
Frank