Dan,
I did not know that about Greener, but I did know that the British retook the lead in black powder quality in the 19th century. I don't know exactly when it was done, but they must have had high quality powder
Prior to DuPont, American powder making was in it's infancy.
Bofors Industries of Sweden was begun in 1646 and they claim to have been the main manufacturer of black powder in Europe shortly afterwards.
The British had powder mills around the same time and because of the Mercantile System in America, much if not most of the powder used here probably came from there in the early to mid 18th century - except of course for the colonies France or Spain held. The British obviously knew how to make good gunpowder as their Navy become the best in the world with their guns and seamanship.
I don't know if the Swedish powder came to America, but we do know that steel from that region was brought in for clock makers and was preferred by gun makers (who could get it) for springs. That powder could have been brought here by the Dutch, but most likely in limited quantities.
I found an interesting tidbit on fireworks. It seems the two best sources in Europe in the 17th century were from Italy and Germany. The fireworks makers in Nuremburg were considered the most technologically advanced and I'm speculating they made better powder. That could mean germany had very good powder as well.
It seems Great Britain was more loose with applying mercantilism than most other countries until the end of the French and Indian War in 1763. Then they really tightened down. I'm just guessing most of the powder available in the colonies that fed the early ALR's (until the Revolution) would have come from Britain, though I could be entirely wrong.
Gus
I only mentioned it because lots of folks think DuPont was the super powder when in reality if you read the writings of the discriminating shooters of post Civil War America many used English powder or one of the better American powders, Orange Extra or Hazards "Kentucky Rifle" and there were others.
But DuPont DID improve powder in America this is beyond doubt. Probably by the technology. I suspect that they introduced the wheel mill, or simply took the time to make better powder. Wheel mill alone would have been a huge leap forward compared to stamp mills. But this is Mad Monk territory and I am supposing some of this.
I am sure I have it someplace but I am too lazy to look for it.
But Dupont had the money and eventually bought up the entire propellant powder industry in America. This destroyed the BP making leaving only Dupont. When forced to divest one of the split off companies was Hercules and the other was Atlas I think. But the BP mills were gone Dupont retained the BP business and the lucrative military contracts for BP. I think that the US military is still the prime money maker for GOEX. Since the military, Dupont's prime customer, had not use for a premium powder we were essentially shooting fuse and booster powder (or something very similar) most of the 20th century. The BP market was so small there was no compelling reason to make better powder. The market increases somewhat with the advent of BPCR silhouette. Then powder started to be imported (some really poor stuff labled C&H) and Green River was making powder. But blew the pant up, probably from not taking proper care the usual reason, but I was never there.
The importation of Swiss has changed everything. It will essentially duplicate the ballistics of the old premium powders in BPCRs, something that was not possible previous. The reduced fouling, the more consistent
lot to lot ballistics etc etc have made it the powder of choice in most competitions.
So there IS a difference in BP and the care taken in making it and the materials used DO make a quantifiable difference. But for the hard core HC re-enactor types all the powders we have today are too good for mid 18th century America. One of the reasons its impossible to recreate the problems the Rev-War riflemen (for example) may have faced in keeping the rifle working.
GOEX is now BETTER than it was a few years ago. Part of this is the result of their not being stiffed by one of their old suppliers. So the base material is better.
Dan
