R. L. G. Powder is used for full charges in guns of 7 inches and upward where the weight of charge does not exceed forty pounds. It passes through the 4 and rests on the 8 mesh sieve.
P. Powder is used for battering-charges of all rifled guns of 7 inches and above, up to 12½ inches, and for all service charges of forty pounds and upward. The grain is cubical, ⅝ of an inch on a side.
P.² Powder is used with the 12½-inch and upward. This powder is cubical, 1½ inches on a side.
Gunpowder is graduated according to its fitness for use into six classes:
Class I. Service.—All new powder. All returned powder found to be uninjured.
Class II. Blank.—Powder from broken-up cannon-charges too dusty for Class I. Powder from broken-up small-arm ammunition. Service powder found too dusty for use in cartridges.
Class III. Shell.—Powder found too dusty for Class II.
Class IV. Doubtful.—All powder returned into store and waiting examination.
Class V. Condemned for Sale.—Powder too much deteriorated for the higher classes.
Class VI. Condemned for Extraction.—Powder obtained from shells, and powder found to have been too much damaged for any use except for the extraction of the saltpetre.