Vintage Black Powder - FULL CANS!

straight-shooter · February 4, 2014, 06:18 PM

A guy I work with came in today and asked me if I wanted some FF Black powder. I said sure why not. He presented me with two pounds that are full cans. I about couldn't believe what he give me.

I looked up the Dupont BP and here's what I found. I still haven't found exactly how old the Goex on the right is. This Dupont is somewhere around a 100 to 200 years old and the can is full. If anyone has anymore information about this powder, let me know.

Here's a article on the Dupont Black Powder I found on the net.

Making Black Powder in the DuPont Company Powder Yards
E. I. du Pont founded his black powder works on Brandywine Creek near Wilmington, Delaware in 1802. The DuPont Company black powder yards made powder for over 100 years, and supplied over half of the gunpowder used by the Union Army in the Civil War. This tour will explain the processes of making blasting powder and gunpowder produced by the DuPont Company in the black powder yards on the Brandywine from 1802 to 1921.

YARDDOG(1) · February 4, 2014, 06:30 PM

Gorex is about mid to late 80's ..
Y/D

straight-shooter · February 4, 2014, 06:38 PM

Thanks YardDog, I wasn't sure at all about the Goex. I figure I'll probably use that powder but the Dupont i'm going to keep and maybe make a shadow box with some black powder paraphernalia and the can inside.

Driftwood Johnson · February 4, 2014, 07:20 PM

Howdy

I believe DuPont tins like that were made in the 1920s. If I recall correctly I think the Goex cans I used to buy in the 1970s looked pretty much like that one.

maillemaker · February 4, 2014, 07:25 PM

Neat find. There may be some interesting scientific information to be found from that powder.

Steve

Pahoo · February 4, 2014, 07:35 PM

Quote:

Apowder. guy I work with came in today and asked me if I wanted some FF Black

That's great and always a pleasant surprise. At one of our last GS, a dealer I do business with, had a handful of accessories that I bought. Then he said; Hey, you buy lots of stuff from me and I can't legally sell BP. Do you want these two can? One can is like your G-X and the other was a can of Pinnacle. Most of the BP I get like this, I give away but always keep a little for my cannons. They really sing with this stuff. Don't know if you know it but some folks sell these cans, on Ebay. There are collectors out there that collect these cans. ....

Be Safe !!!

Hellgate · February 4, 2014, 07:37 PM

Look at the bottom of that can of Dupont. Sometimes there are lot numbers that can be deciphered as to the date of manufacture. That may be an original old can in real good shape or some newer commemorative can (copy of a real old can).

straight-shooter · February 4, 2014, 07:46 PM

The bottom of the Goex can has a stamp of 02-77 so February of 1977.

The DuPont can has no such markings anywhere. I would say that from the looks of the metal on the top and bottom of this can that it's definitely been around a long time.

Hellgate · February 4, 2014, 07:56 PM

http://picturearchive.gunauction.com...ad28740e3f.jpg

Here's a link to a real old can. Notice the paper label and the elliptical shape of the can. I'm not sure what era yours falls into. I'm sure there are collecters that know when the transitions occured. Yours appears to have the label printed on the paint of the can rather than a glued on label like the much older one.

straight-shooter · February 4, 2014, 08:03 PM

I read about the paper labeled cans also. The things that throws me off is that everything I find about DuPont manufacturing black powder says that they stopped doing it in 1921. So the paper labeled cans must have been in the 1800's. At this point i'm only guessing.

straight-shooter · February 4, 2014, 08:17 PM

Ok, I found that they manufactured till 1972 in Moosic, PA and then sold the business of BP. That still doesn't explain this particular can being made in Wilmington Delaware up till 1921. I'll keep digging... LOL.

**Mike Irwin** · February 4, 2014, 10:42 PM

That Du Pont can is much newer than the 1920s.

It's post World War II.

Note on the bottom that it says 1 pound or 454 grams. I'm pretty sure that Du Pont didn't start putting a gram weight on their cans until after WW II.

This is the kind of can that would have been used in around the 1920s or before.

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Dupont-colle...p2047675.l2557

Bishop Creek · February 4, 2014, 11:08 PM

I have several cans like that. The one on the left is from the late 1940s early '50s, and the one on the right is just like the ones I bought new in the '70s and early '80s. I also have several cans from the 1910-1930 era and they look like the one in the auction link posted above.

straight-shooter · February 5, 2014, 01:52 PM

Very cool. I'm glad to find out this information and thanks to all contributors to this thread. Cheers!

James K · February 5, 2014, 09:06 PM

DuPont kept using the old style can for many years just to keep the historical image. I bought BP in cans like that in the 1960's and it was around even longer.

Jim

Russsel · January 16, 2017, 07:11 AM

I recently purchased a box lot at a auction and in it was a old black powder tin.It has "Econite For Shot Guns Only" It also has
" The Economy Powder Co. Reading Pa USA" on the back. The can has a small screw in cap/plug on top & is still full of powder (I would never use it) I tried to find info. on this but come up with nothing. If any of you black powder tin collectors have any info. on this tin I would appreciate it.
Thank You

**4V50 Gary** · January 16, 2017, 09:52 AM

That DuPont can is nice. I have a Goex can like the one on the left.

I hate those new plastic bottles.

Driftwood Johnson · January 17, 2017, 08:31 PM

Howdy Again

Just a couple of old Goex cans left in my basement. The date code on the bottom of the can on the left is 03-96, which I take it to mean is March of 1996. The date code on the one on the right is 03-62. I am assuming that is March of 1962. Dig that price! The one on the left is marked $11.95 on top.

Bishop Creek · January 17, 2017, 09:11 PM

To add to Driftwood's post, I thought I'd show a photo of a few cans I have.
The two on the left I purchased empty as collectors items, and the two I on the right I purchased new (and full) in the 1980s and around 2000.

I believe the two on the left are from the 1920s and 1950s respectively.

drobs · January 17, 2017, 10:21 PM

When I 1st got into shooting BP (just a few 3 years ago), an older friend of mine, gave me a can of 1970's or 1980's Goex FFFg just like the one (2nd from right) Bishop Creek has.

The powder shot just fine.

Bishop Creek · January 17, 2017, 10:29 PM

Yeah drobs, I'm still shooting black powder that I have had for at least 20 years. Goes off with no problems.

Driftwood Johnson · January 18, 2017, 12:09 AM

Quote:

Yeah drobs, I'm still shooting black powder that I have had for at least 20 years. Goes off with no problems.

I purchased that 1962 can from a friend a few years ago. He had gotten a few cans from another friend. I think I bought about three cans, still sealed from the factory. It all went boom just fine.

Bishop Creek · January 18, 2017, 12:33 AM

You're right Driftwood.

Black powder, or as it used to be called, "Gunpowder," is amazing stuff. I have no doubt that if I were to store a can of it away in a time capsule, the finder, 100 - 200 hundred years from now would be able to ignite it with no problems.

**4V50 Gary** · January 18, 2017, 07:08 PM

Bishop Creek - that image brings tears to my eyes. I hate the modern plastic bottle the Holy Black comes in.

Bishop Creek · January 18, 2017, 09:00 PM

I hear you Gary. PM your address to me and I'll send you a couple of empty "tin" Goex cans that you put your powder in, gratis.

February 4, 2014, 06:18 PM	#1
straight-shooter Senior Member Join Date: June 12, 2007 Location: North Central Indiana Posts: 436	Vintage Black Powder - FULL CANS! A guy I work with came in today and asked me if I wanted some FF Black powder. I said sure why not. He presented me with two pounds that are full cans. I about couldn't believe what he give me. I looked up the Dupont BP and here's what I found. I still haven't found exactly how old the Goex on the right is. This Dupont is somewhere around a 100 to 200 years old and the can is full. If anyone has anymore information about this powder, let me know. Here's a article on the Dupont Black Powder I found on the net. Making Black Powder in the DuPont Company Powder Yards E. I. du Pont founded his black powder works on Brandywine Creek near Wilmington, Delaware in 1802. The DuPont Company black powder yards made powder for over 100 years, and supplied over half of the gunpowder used by the Union Army in the Civil War. This tour will explain the processes of making blasting powder and gunpowder produced by the DuPont Company in the black powder yards on the Brandywine from 1802 to 1921.

February 4, 2014, 06:30 PM	#2
YARDDOG(1) Senior Member Join Date: October 24, 2008 Location: GATOR COUNTRY HA HA HA! Posts: 721	Gorex is about mid to late 80's .. Y/D __________________ There's a GATOR in the bushes & She's Callin my name >Molly Hatchett<

February 4, 2014, 07:37 PM	#7
Hellgate Senior Member Join Date: November 18, 2010 Location: Orygun Posts: 869	Look at the bottom of that can of Dupont. Sometimes there are lot numbers that can be deciphered as to the date of manufacture. That may be an original old can in real good shape or some newer commemorative can (copy of a real old can). __________________ With over 15 perCUSSIN' revolvers, I've been called the Imelda Marcos of cap & ball. SASS#3302 (Life), SASS Regulator, NRA (Life), Dirty Gamey Bastards #129 Wolverton Mtn. Peacekeepers (WA), former Orygun Cowboy (Ranger, Posse from Hell)

February 4, 2014, 07:56 PM	#9
Hellgate Senior Member Join Date: November 18, 2010 Location: Orygun Posts: 869	http://picturearchive.gunauction.com...ad28740e3f.jpg Here's a link to a real old can. Notice the paper label and the elliptical shape of the can. I'm not sure what era yours falls into. I'm sure there are collecters that know when the transitions occured. Yours appears to have the label printed on the paint of the can rather than a glued on label like the much older one. __________________ With over 15 perCUSSIN' revolvers, I've been called the Imelda Marcos of cap & ball. SASS#3302 (Life), SASS Regulator, NRA (Life), Dirty Gamey Bastards #129 Wolverton Mtn. Peacekeepers (WA), former Orygun Cowboy (Ranger, Posse from Hell)

February 4, 2014, 10:42 PM	#12
Mike Irwin Staff Join Date: April 13, 2000 Location: Northern Virginia Posts: 41,383	That Du Pont can is much newer than the 1920s. It's post World War II. Note on the bottom that it says 1 pound or 454 grams. I'm pretty sure that Du Pont didn't start putting a gram weight on their cans until after WW II. This is the kind of can that would have been used in around the 1920s or before. http://www.ebay.com/itm/Dupont-colle...p2047675.l2557 __________________ "The gift which I am sending you is called a dog, and is in fact the most precious and valuable possession of mankind" -Theodorus Gaza Baby Jesus cries when the fat redneck doesn't have military-grade firepower.

February 4, 2014, 06:38 PM	#3
straight-shooter Senior Member Join Date: June 12, 2007 Location: North Central Indiana Posts: 436	Thanks YardDog, I wasn't sure at all about the Goex. I figure I'll probably use that powder but the Dupont i'm going to keep and maybe make a shadow box with some black powder paraphernalia and the can inside.

February 4, 2014, 07:20 PM	#4
Driftwood Johnson Senior Member Join Date: January 3, 2014 Location: Land of the Pilgrims Posts: 2,033	Howdy I believe DuPont tins like that were made in the 1920s. If I recall correctly I think the Goex cans I used to buy in the 1970s looked pretty much like that one.

February 4, 2014, 07:25 PM	#5
maillemaker Senior Member Join Date: August 30, 2010 Posts: 1,635	Neat find. There may be some interesting scientific information to be found from that powder. Steve

February 4, 2014, 07:46 PM	#8
straight-shooter Senior Member Join Date: June 12, 2007 Location: North Central Indiana Posts: 436	The bottom of the Goex can has a stamp of 02-77 so February of 1977. The DuPont can has no such markings anywhere. I would say that from the looks of the metal on the top and bottom of this can that it's definitely been around a long time.

February 4, 2014, 08:03 PM	#10
straight-shooter Senior Member Join Date: June 12, 2007 Location: North Central Indiana Posts: 436	I read about the paper labeled cans also. The things that throws me off is that everything I find about DuPont manufacturing black powder says that they stopped doing it in 1921. So the paper labeled cans must have been in the 1800's. At this point i'm only guessing.

February 4, 2014, 08:17 PM	#11
straight-shooter Senior Member Join Date: June 12, 2007 Location: North Central Indiana Posts: 436	Ok, I found that they manufactured till 1972 in Moosic, PA and then sold the business of BP. That still doesn't explain this particular can being made in Wilmington Delaware up till 1921. I'll keep digging... LOL.

February 4, 2014, 11:08 PM	#13
Bishop Creek Senior Member Join Date: March 20, 2011 Posts: 566	I have several cans like that. The one on the left is from the late 1940s early '50s, and the one on the right is just like the ones I bought new in the '70s and early '80s. I also have several cans from the 1910-1930 era and they look like the one in the auction link posted above.

February 5, 2014, 01:52 PM	#14
straight-shooter Senior Member Join Date: June 12, 2007 Location: North Central Indiana Posts: 436	Very cool. I'm glad to find out this information and thanks to all contributors to this thread. Cheers!

February 5, 2014, 09:06 PM	#15
James K Member In Memoriam Join Date: March 17, 1999 Posts: 24,383	DuPont kept using the old style can for many years just to keep the historical image. I bought BP in cans like that in the 1960's and it was around even longer. Jim

January 16, 2017, 09:52 AM	#17
4V50 Gary Staff Join Date: November 2, 1998 Location: Colorado Posts: 21,832	That DuPont can is nice. I have a Goex can like the one on the left. I hate those new plastic bottles. __________________ Vigilantibus et non dormientibus jura subveniunt. *Molon Labe!*

January 17, 2017, 08:31 PM	#18
Driftwood Johnson Senior Member Join Date: January 3, 2014 Location: Land of the Pilgrims Posts: 2,033	Howdy Again Just a couple of old Goex cans left in my basement. The date code on the bottom of the can on the left is 03-96, which I take it to mean is March of 1996. The date code on the one on the right is 03-62. I am assuming that is March of 1962. Dig that price! The one on the left is marked $11.95 on top.

January 17, 2017, 09:11 PM	#19
Bishop Creek Senior Member Join Date: March 20, 2011 Posts: 566	To add to Driftwood's post, I thought I'd show a photo of a few cans I have. The two on the left I purchased empty as collectors items, and the two I on the right I purchased new (and full) in the 1980s and around 2000. I believe the two on the left are from the 1920s and 1950s respectively.

January 17, 2017, 10:21 PM	#20
drobs Senior Member Join Date: July 17, 2015 Location: South Central MO / Africa Posts: 1,111	When I 1st got into shooting BP (just a few 3 years ago), an older friend of mine, gave me a can of 1970's or 1980's Goex FFFg just like the one (2nd from right) Bishop Creek has. The powder shot just fine. __________________ NRA Life Member

January 17, 2017, 10:29 PM	#21
Bishop Creek Senior Member Join Date: March 20, 2011 Posts: 566	Yeah drobs, I'm still shooting black powder that I have had for at least 20 years. Goes off with no problems.

January 18, 2017, 12:33 AM	#23
Bishop Creek Senior Member Join Date: March 20, 2011 Posts: 566	You're right Driftwood. Black powder, or as it used to be called, "Gunpowder," is amazing stuff. I have no doubt that if I were to store a can of it away in a time capsule, the finder, 100 - 200 hundred years from now would be able to ignite it with no problems.

January 18, 2017, 07:08 PM	#24
4V50 Gary Staff Join Date: November 2, 1998 Location: Colorado Posts: 21,832	Bishop Creek - that image brings tears to my eyes. I hate the modern plastic bottle the Holy Black comes in. __________________ Vigilantibus et non dormientibus jura subveniunt. *Molon Labe!*

January 18, 2017, 09:00 PM	#25
Bishop Creek Senior Member Join Date: March 20, 2011 Posts: 566	I hear you Gary. PM your address to me and I'll send you a couple of empty "tin" Goex cans that you put your powder in, gratis.