ABSTRACT
Making black powder has often been termed a ‘black art’. Even today, with the large quantity of literature available, the description is still valid. Aside from the problem of over reliance on traditions on the part of some of the makers, the reason is that those involved in the actual manufacturing do not usually have ready access to the literature or the experiences of the past. Also, black powder is not the primary concern in the field of explosives, since it is now essentially obsolete for most of its previous uses. Ideally, the burning characteristics of powder should match its intended use. Here begins the reasonably complex series of variables on both the use/need and the production side of the equation. It was not until the middle of the nineteenth century that a really good grasp of both sides had evolved.1
