Hello everyone! I'm a weapons-happy author whom you've so graciously helped in the past. I have a new, and somewhat random question for you...

What might cause a seventeenth-century black powder weapon to explode before firing, thus burning the handler?

Any thoughts are much appreciated!

Best,

Veronica

Lin covered all the bases. Nothing says fun like Murphy and explosives!

I do have to disagree with one detail. Static Electricity won't set off a black powder charge and if you don't believe me then here is a some pics from some people who tried to and failed to set off black powder with electricity http://www.ctmuzzleloaders.com/ctml_experimen...parks.html

Quick question: Do you mean the charge ignited while loading or the gun exploded while trying to fire the gun? If the gun explodes during firing then powder burns would be the least of the shooter's issue. That might be caused by a really fowled barrel and a double (or more) charge being loaded in the gun.
Well a double charge could be one of two things. Deliberately or accidentally putting twice (or more) powder in the barrel. Another form of double charge would be loading powder and charge in the gun then forgetting about it (or thinking it was fired) then loading a second charge on top of the first. That's not a good situation. metallurgical problems could help the gun go boom in a bad way.

Having an unexpected charge in black powder weapons can happen. Have heard of wall hanger, family heirloom BP rifles that had an unexpected charge in them. Some one may take the old rifle out to see if the action still works and what not and have the gun unexpectedly go off.

Yeah, black powder can be interesting--it can go off when you REALLY don't want it to, but sometimes it's impossible to MAKE it go off! Or as I like to sum up 17th century warfare: "Here, strap this pound of explosives to your chest and hold this piece of rope that's burning at both ends!"

I "blew myself up" at Jamestown, once, with my matchlock. Had a misfire, looked down and realized the match was hitting behind the pan, not going into the priming charge. No biggy, I moved the match and, as I commonly did with flint chips after misfires with my flintlock, casually flicked the ash from the match off the back of the pan. FOOM! There was a spark still in the ash, and it set off the priming charge, which neatly fired the gun. I blinked, discovered that I could still see (in spite of my shriveled eyelashes acting as Velcro!), counted my fingers, found no real burns, and carried on more carefully.

A couple years before that was a close call. I had filled my bandoleer of chargers, then went over to the campfire to light my match. Bent over, and in surreal slow motion saw my chargers all swing gracefully towards the flames. "OOOOHHHHHH SSSSHHHHHIIIIII----------....." Didn't blow up. Backed up fast. Got someone else to light my match!

There are supposed to be stories from the 17th century of bandoleers going off like a string of firecrackers, but I'm a little dubious. Each charge is contained in its own wood or metal bottle, and even if one goes off the rest should be pretty safe. But in an 18th century cartridge pouch the paper cartridges are all under one flap, and photos of myself firing my musket show just how many little sparks and flames go arcing out from the pan, apparently eagerly seeking any powder in the region. Scary to see! Even if the powder I am pouring down the barrel cooks off from a spark in the bore, I'd rather be holding a wooden charger than a paper cartridge.

Now, if you bring a large powder flask or horn into the equation, it can get bad!

A friend of mine once saw 6 inches of muzzle blow off of an original 18th century musket when firing. You just never know where a flaw might be. He also reports that a comrade had a small gap between pan and barrel, and powder was sifting down into the lock. After a while, that powder went off with the priming charge, and blew the lock off the musket! Ouch. Third-hand stories, obviously, but if you survive long enough in this hobby...

I also saw a fellow at Jamestown set his padded coat armor on fire, simply by inadvertantly letting his lit match hang against it. Granted, that was a batch of match that burned like fuse in a Bugs Bunny cartoon, but it just shows that the match or sparks from it can reach things you don't expect. If that includes powder, boom. Heck, your character could get blown up and not even know what caused it!

Happy shooting!

Matthew

Thank you, everyone, for the great replies!!! You've given me a ton to chew on. Matthew, the stories of your close calls are really something else! And Lin, your responses, as always, are incredibly detailed and helpful!! Loved reading all of it. Now I have to decide just what should come to pass with my 17th-century pirate. Arrrr.... ;)

Lin, to answer your question, this is a new book I'm working on, a novella actually. The last one hit the shelves earlier this month! (called Warrior of the Highlands, wherein our weapons-expert heroine is transported back in time where she meets and falls in love with Alasdair MacColla...and starring some of the weapons I asked about, oh, probably over a year ago now! I thanked you fabulous myArmoury.com guys in one of my earlier Acknowledgments, btw.) :cool:

Thank you again, and slainte mhath!

Best,

Veronica Wolff