A system of pyrotechny : $b Comprehending the theory and practice, with the application of chemistry; designed for exhibition and for war.Cutbush, James
History
A system of pyrotechny : $b Comprehending the theory and practice, with the application of chemistry; designed for exhibition and for war.
Cutbush, James
Fireworks; Military fireworks
"To make good cartridges, you must have good paper, well sized, cut
according to the length of the rolling rod or form, which must be
rolled very tightly round the form, so that the vacancy left may be
exactly equal to the size of the mould, and that the paper should
exactly fill the space between the form and the mould. Then the form
is drawn out, after having tied it at the end with packthread. To
fill it, it must be replaced in the mould. A cupful of composition is
then put in, and five or six strokes given with the large ramrod. The
ramrod is then withdrawn, and a new charge is put in, which is beaten
like the first, until the cartridge is filled to the height of the
mould. It is then drawn out, and primed with priming powder.
"The port-fire is filled with ease, in using a tunnel placed at the
end of the cartouch, through which you pass the rod.
"_Composition of Port-fires of the first kind._
Saltpetre 4 lbs. 2 oz.
Sulphur 1 12
Priming powder 0 12
"After having mixed these materials well together with the hand, and
then with a rolling pin, you pass them through a hair sieve, and fill
your wooden bowls.
"_The second kind of Port-fires_, are made in rolling strips of paper
3 inches wide, and 1.278 inches long, on a form of hard wood, about
14 inches long, and .35 parts of an inch in diameter. When about
two-thirds of the paper is rolled, the remainder of it is to be
pasted over with paste made of flour and glue. You then finish it,
by passing your hand along the extremity of the pasted paper. Having
finished the number required, you place them in the sun, or near a
stove, and turn them from time to time, to prevent them from sticking
together, or bending.
"Cartridges being well dried, you must fill them with the following
composition. Fold the paper at one of the ends, and at the other,
pour in the composition, placing your cartridge against the
composition; and having placed it perpendicularly on the table, you
give it several strokes, to drive down the composition. Then you
take your iron rod, which is .53 parts of an inch longer than the
one which you use to roll with, and a little less in thickness at
the top. There should be a ring, that it may hang to the finger,
and move the more easily. Having laid your cartridges on the table,
you introduce the rod, and with it compress the composition. Having
withdrawn it, more is put in, it is pressed again, and so on until
entirely full. You will take care to press the last layer of the
composition more than the other, to prevent its falling out by moving.
"The port-fire cartridges being finished, they are laid by for use,
putting ten in a packet as before.
"_Composition of Port-fires of the second kind._
Saltpetre 6 ounces.
Sulphur 2 do.
Priming powder 3 do.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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