Brass Gunpowder Measure for 32 Pounder Naval Gun

by John L. Morris

This gunpowder measure was made at the Washington Navy Yard in 1851 and inspected by John A. Dahlgren.  It measures the volume of powder needed to fill a cloth “cylinder” with 5 1/2 lbs. of loose black gunpowder.  These cloth cylinders made powder handling and cannon loading relatively simple, and many cylinders were filled and stowed in copper “powder tanks” in the magazine to be ready for action.  For firing, the cylinder was loaded into the gun prior to the projectile.  In 1851 there were many different models of 32-pounder gun and a set weight of powder was specified for filling the cylinders for each.  Unfortunately no reference available to the author at this writing lists a 5 1/2 pound powder charge for the guns tabulated, but the information should be contained in the 1850 edition of “Ordnance Instructions for the United States Navy.”  The outside dimensions of this item are about 7 3/4 inches in both height and breadth.  This example is more distressed than the typical cast-brass antibellum Navy powder measure.  The separately-cast brass handle was attached by copper rivets.  A brass “powder knife” was once used in the Navy to level the top of the powder, but those may have been discontinued in the early 19th century.  The author has only seen one which is in the Fort Ticonderoga collection.

The Bureau of Ordnance policy regarding powder measures is contained in “Ordnance Instructions for the United States Navy” of 1864 and other editions:

“173. Standard powder measures for filling cartridges for great guns will be made at the navy yard, Washington, and distributed as they may be required tor the use of vessels and shore magazines. As the gravimetric density of powder varies, the weight of the contents of measures should be ascertained for each lot, and allowance made accordingly before filling the cartridges.”

The table “Service Charges for Naval Guns,” from the same reference, may be of interest:  https://flic.kr/p/2oBXdfu

Photos:  https://www.flickr.com/photos/189102681@N07/shares/c2747ZG4T1