Damascus Made for Smokeless

[jimcaron]

Ummm, 120 grains of HS-6?

[Tom Martin]

The cannon pictured above is a 10" Parrot rifle that burst due to a premature bust of a shell in the bore. The muzzle was chiseled smooth, and it continued in use for 370 more rounds. As the gun was built, used and destroyed during the Civil War, no smokeless powder was involved. The burst tube was cast iron, and the reinforcing band at the breech was welded from a bar of wrought iron, shrunk on. I guess the band could be considered a form of Damascus!

[jimcaron]

That is really interesting, Tom, thanks for sharing. Also note that Elemental potassium reacts with water (i.e. humidity) to form a base, Potassium Hydroxide. Basic compounds are highly corrosive and reactive to metals, especially steel. The soap would dissolve and neutralize any traces of KOH that could be present.