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Twelve years ago, a friend retired and emigrated to Cyprus. Among the things he left were these two black powder tins. They have been in my black powder box since he left. I have been pondering what to do with them. The John Hall and Son tin has about a half inch of powder still in it, the Curtis's and Harvey's tin is almost full. The John Hall tin is about 5"x3"x1". The Curtis tin is about 6 1/4" x 3 1/4" x 1 1/4".
According to my friend google, John Hall and Sons were in business in the 19th century until 1898 when they were taken over by Curtis's and Harvey's. So, I presume the John Hall tin is of 19th century vintage. Assuming the remaining powder is original to the tin, the powder will be of that vintage. I don't fancy using 19th century powder so I thought I should burn it off but I don't suppose there is much powder left of that vintage. Should I just get rid of it?
Similarly, the Curtis's and Harvey's powder looks to be getting on for 100 years old as the company was incorporated in to ICI in 1932. The powder looks to be in good condition but I am not sure I should trust it. Should I just use it or burn it off?
As an aside, I did read that it was thought that Mr Fawkes and his chums used 36 barrels of Faversham gunpowder for their attempt to reform Parliament. Regards
Peter.
http://www.gunpowderworks.co.uk/gunpowd ... php?id=142
https://grlhs.weebly.com/gunpowder.html
https://www.gracesguide.co.uk/Curtis's_and_Harvey

Guido Fawkes
The only man to enter parliament with honest intentions

Gunpowder / black powder is a physical mix of two inorganic chemicals which are stable plus charcoal. Therefore there is no reason for them to undergo degradation with age and I would use them.
Modern smokeless powders are organic compounds and they do degrade with age and when they are old shouldn't be used.

why don't you burn it off, in a barrel?

whats not to trust?