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Which would tell us what other than that which we already know -- cordite and corrosive.
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Implicit in this question is the assumption that the storage life of ammunition is infinite. It is not. Gunpowder deteriorates and as it deteriorates it outgases NOx.
If nitric acid gas has attacked the inside of the case, the case will be weak and may split.
Look to see if the cases have case neck splits, like this FA 11-1898 30-40 Krag round.
Pull some bullets and look for evidence of internal case corrosion. If the bullets have green corrioson, from nitric acid gas, don’t shoot the ammunition.
Dump some of the cordite out and see if it is red. This powder is red. All the stabilizer is gone and the nitrocellulose is deteriorating.
Firing powder this old is risky due to burn rate instability. Powder grains deteriorate in an uneven fashion and they will burn in an uneven fashion. This has caused pressure spikes. Which can blew your rifle all to pieces.
Take a look at this Garand which blew with WWII ammunition.
http://www.socnet.com/showthread.php?p=1344088