Sec. XLIX. Of Pauly's Inflammable Powder.
We mentioned, in a note to the article on guns, that M. Pauly had invented a musket, or fowling piece, which was discharged by percussion, instead of flint and steel, by using a priming powder made of chlorate of potassa.
It may be proper, however, to state, that the Rev. Dr. Forsyth made use of a similar powder, and for the same purpose, many years ago, of which we have already spoken. M. Thenard also has given a formula for a preparation of a similar powder.
A description of M. Pauly's improvement may be seen in the Archives des Découvertes, for 1812, p. 158, and in that of 1814, p. 174, where the composition of the powder is noticed; and also in the Bulletin de la Société d'Encouragement, for 1814.
This powder is composed as follows:
| Chlorate, or hyperoxymuriate of potassa | 8 oz. |
| Flowers of sulphur | 3 — |
| Charcoal of light wood | 2 — |
They are mixed together with Cologne water, or in its place with brandy, to which a small quantity of the solution of gum arabic is added.
The ingredients must be made as fine as possible, and intimately blended together.
This powder may be inflamed by a hammer, or by the condensation of air in a piston, a mode recommended by Pauly.
We have seen a fowling-piece, constructed according to M. Pauly's plan, and also the priming powder used.