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General discussion => Antique Accoutrements => Topic started by: Fullstock longrifle on September 02, 2025, 11:55:11 PM

Title: Bone Powder Measure With A Question
Post by: Fullstock longrifle on September 02, 2025, 11:55:11 PM
I recently picked up this (what I believe to be) powder measure. It has 8 flats with wording on two sides, but I can only read one, J F Collin 1834. It appears to be for a Fowler or musket because of its size, but one thing throws me, it has a hole that goes into the cavity and I can’t figure out why. It’s obvious that the hole was added when it was made, any ideas?


(https://i.ibb.co/gFtQD09L/IMG-2422.jpg) (https://ibb.co/R4QtCXbk)

(https://i.ibb.co/gMdJK9GW/IMG-2428.jpg) (https://ibb.co/PZMgHjRW)

(https://i.ibb.co/F40s7cmk/IMG-2429.jpg) (https://ibb.co/QvC8mhp7)

(https://i.ibb.co/jB5bvdv/IMG-2430.png) (https://ibb.co/NQ3t6X6)

(https://i.ibb.co/wGhp5xg/IMG-2431.jpg) (https://ibb.co/Ljd9V2R)

(https://i.ibb.co/M52Fywq6/IMG-2433.jpg) (https://ibb.co/bRWcjwpJ)

(https://i.ibb.co/gZ2fN0mj/IMG-2434.jpg) (https://ibb.co/Jj1GVYmB)
Title: Re: Bone Powder Measure With A Question
Post by: Tanselman on September 03, 2025, 12:18:10 AM
I'd guess the hole may measure a lighter charge than the charger normally delivers... perhaps for a smaller caliber rifle, so he could use it on more than one gun. He could see a grain or two of powder come out when filling and it reached that point, so he'd know he had that size charge. When loading his larger fowler or gun, he would keep his finger over the hole while filling the charger and emptying it... which he had to do anyway to hold it.

Shelby Gallien 
Title: Re: Bone Powder Measure With A Question
Post by: Fullstock longrifle on September 03, 2025, 12:22:59 AM
Quote from: Tanselman on September 03, 2025, 12:18:10 AM
I'd guess the hole may measure a lighter charge than the charger normally delivers... perhaps for a smaller caliber rifle, so he could use it on more than one gun. He could see a grain or two of powder come out when filling and it reached that point, so he'd know he had that size charge. When loading his larger fowler or gun, he would keep his finger over the hole while filling the charger and emptying it... which he has to do anyway to hold it.

Shelby Gallien

Thank you for your thoughts Shelby and that makes perfect sense.
Title: Re: Bone Powder Measure With A Question
Post by: jdm on September 03, 2025, 03:09:33 AM
Frank, I'm thinking along the same line as Shelby. Pretty neat idea really.  Jim
Title: Re: Bone Powder Measure With A Question
Post by: Tim Crosby on September 03, 2025, 02:45:06 PM
 I wonder if it could be used as a whistle?

   Tim C.
Title: Re: Bone Powder Measure With A Question
Post by: Fullstock longrifle on September 03, 2025, 02:51:42 PM
Quote from: Tim Crosby on September 03, 2025, 02:45:06 PM
I wonder if it could be used as a whistle?

   Tim C.

Good thought Tim, but no, the hole is too small to create and sound.
Title: Re: Bone Powder Measure With A Question
Post by: Fullstock longrifle on September 03, 2025, 02:55:54 PM
Quote from: jdm on September 03, 2025, 03:09:33 AM
Frank, I'm thinking along the same line as Shelby. Pretty neat idea really.  Jim

Thanks Jim, yes I agree.
Title: Re: Bone Powder Measure With A Question
Post by: Avlrc on September 03, 2025, 09:06:15 PM
Cool find.  I just did a quick search for fun. Found two John F Collin.  One from Abington VA 84 in 1880. The other from New York.



(https://i.ibb.co/WNp8fHyf/4244641-00755.jpg) (https://ibb.co/0pV4rnMr)

(https://i.ibb.co/0VWsm9cQ/The-Democratic-Advocate-1889-09-21-3.jpg) (https://ibb.co/k6rm5DxM)
Title: Re: Bone Powder Measure With A Question
Post by: Fullstock longrifle on September 04, 2025, 02:12:25 AM
Quote from: Avlrc on September 03, 2025, 09:06:15 PM
Cool find.  I just did a quick search for fun. Found two John F Collin.  One from Abington VA 84 in 1880. The other from New York.



(https://i.ibb.co/WNp8fHyf/4244641-00755.jpg) (https://ibb.co/0pV4rnMr)

(https://i.ibb.co/0VWsm9cQ/The-Democratic-Advocate-1889-09-21-3.jpg) (https://ibb.co/k6rm5DxM)

Thank you Mark, this guy matches up pretty well, the measure came from an old collection in Virginia.