Smokeless Powders Transition Years
1892 to 1912
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Early Smokeless Powder
Early Smokeless Powder
Powder Cans with load data
DO NOT USE THIS AS MODERN LOAD DATA
UPDATED 2/16/2023, 7:15am
Transition from the Black Powder era to the Smokeless Powder Era
Transition from the Black Powder era to the Smokeless Powder Era
Dupont No.1 Rifle Powder "Wrapper" load data sheet
Dupont No.1 Rifle Powder keg with load data "Wrapper".
Powder add, right can has the Dead Deer Stag
1892-1896 The developing years
1892-1896 The developing years
The US Military tested many smokeless powders between 1892 and 1896. Wetteren powder had been their "Standard" base of which other powders were compared. By mid 1894, nearly 200,000lbs of Peyton powder had been used or stored for use with the .30 cal. .308 cartridges. Mostly only designated by test numbers, formulas constantly changing, it really is not known what powder designated names were actually used. At one point Leonard N7/16 looks just like Sharpshooter granulars. By 1895 Peyton powders were the powders of choice and some 5,000lbs more ordered. Whistler & Aspinwall specifically named and a designation of W.-A. was used. By 1896 the military was still testing "Samples" from quite a few companies but had contracts (1896-1897) for three; Peyton, Dupont and W.-A. (Leonard) now controlled by Laflin & Land. Ruby was mentioned a few times but seems to have been tested in larger cannon type rifles and mortars.
1897 details more testing for the .30 and both .45 & .38 Colts. Several powders for the two later but Dupont No.1 named caught my attention. This could be the new (green can) No.1 that looks like sharpshooter and not the old No.1 (red powder keg) that is rock looking granulars. However, A few notes in 1899, I see Dupont is described as a cylindrical graphite black with dark green tinge. .053 in length and .041 in diameter. Laflin & Rand W.A. is noted with the dash removed. The .38 was using a few powders, Dupont No. 1, No. 2 as well as Laflin & Rand "Sporting Powder".
I think it would be safe to conclude that of the three powder companies under contract, the following would be used for the civilian market for the .30 caliber type cartridges.
Peyton S.P. - (Smokeless Rifle Powder)(unknown Granular)(Deemed Secret Ingredients)
Dupont S.P. - (No. 1 Rifle Smokeless Powder)(cylindrical shape)(Deemed Secret Ingredients)
Laflin & Rand W.A.S.P - (disc shape)(Deemed Secret Ingredients)(W.A. 30 to the public)(Deemed Secret Ingredients)
"S.P." could stand for "Sporting Powder", as "Sporting Powder" is mention numerous times in the reports.
Most granular samples I have for the civilian market appear to be perforated disc powders which appear to have been popular as "Sharpshooter" smokeless powder from 1897 to 1948....That is 50 Years!!!!!!
Of course, the 30-30 was manufactured by Winchester in 1894 using a smokeless rifle powder of which I have little information as of this update
Looking at some 30-30 "Short Range" factory loads, (obsolete by the 1920's) maybe from Winchester's 1896 catalog as, cal. 30-6-100 (.30 caliber - 6 grs. smokeless - 100 gr. bullet). Here is an insert from John Kort; "Based on my ballistic testing using the powder taken from original cartridges,I found that they effectively duplicated the .32-20, an excellent small game cartridge. No doubt, that's what Winchester had in mind". John also dissected and studied those early cartridges. He found some early powders "to be translucent stick powders", of origin was not stated. Maybe some early "xxxxite" powders deriving from the "cordite" type powers. To continue, Some short range cartridges John dissected produced the following;
100gr bullets - 4.4gr of Bulleseye/5.0gr of Walsrode/ or 9.0gr of Dupont No.2 "Bulk" (which would be of the off-white/beige rock texture)
117gr bullets - 6.0gr of Ballistie/6.0gr of Walsrode, 7.0gr of Shultz/ or 7.0gr of Marksman
Ballistite was from the Cordite family..."spaghetti-like rods initially called "cord powder"... and is probably that brownish translucent powder John mentions
Smokeless Rifle Powder
Peyton - Date unknown but was one of two superior powders tested by the US Military in 1893
Ruby Sporting Shotgun Powder
Leonard - One of two superior powders tested by the US military during 1893. Not sure if it was Ruby Smokeless or Ruby Sporting powder that was tested
Smokeless Shot Gun Powder
Leonard - W-A Shotgun noted as being owned by Laflin & Rand but listed under Leornard. This would be the start of the W-A 30 rifle powder by Laflin & Rand
44-40 Smokeless Powders
44-40 Smokeless Powders
Pre-1900
Pre-1900
Bulk "blonde in color" powder
It is rather difficult to follow the dates of these powders with the exception of when they were introduced. The below photoed powders are not necessarily in any specific order, however I did try to list the oldest used first, Dupont and Laflin & Rand appear to be the three earliest powders I can find;
1894 - Dupont's No.2 Smokeless Rifle Powder
1896 - Laflin & Rand's "Sporting Rifle Powder"
1897 - Laflin & Rand's "Sharpshooter"
The "Sharpshooter" powder (1897), probably being the more forgiving , was also approved specifically for "Black Powder Rifles".
Laflin & Rand "Sporting Rifle Powder" shows use specifically for "Rifle and Revolver" on the can but we also find Winchester factory ammunition loads were not approved for use in revolvers until at least 1909. I wonder if this has anything to do with Sharpshooter being introduced in this time frame? [Sharpshooer introduced in 1907 by L&R, then to Dupont after L&R destroyed by fire, then to Hercules by 1909 due to a law suit]
The Laflin & Rand "Sporting Powder" shows a load for 17gr for the 44-40 which is the same as Dupont's "No.2" 44-40 load data of 17gr.
Ironically it seems even before the smokeless powder was "proven" for revolvers, Winchester had already developed the "High Velocity" loads by 1903(Yellow labels). Both Dupont and Hercules "Sharpshooter" shows a High Velocity load in the load data on the back of the can. It also is amusing to me that by the time Winchester removed the "Not for Revolvers" from the smokeless powder (Red label) boxes by 1909, the 1910 "High Velocity" (Yellow label) loads show to 18,000cup indicating that the smokeless powder rifle loads were way in advance of the smokeless powder revolver loads.
Food for thought,
Colt seemed to be having a difficult time with the transition from black powder to smokeless powder. Even though Unique and Bullseye were introduced by 1900, they were still formulated from shotgun powder "Infalible" and I guess it took another ten years to transition for revolver use. I have not explored that venue yet. Unique and Infallible were made from the exact same formula, the only difference being the granulation.
Dupont early smokeless powders that were the bulk and "blonde in color";
Dupont early smokeless powders that were the bulk and "blonde in color";
Shotgun Smokeless
Smokeless Rifle No. 1
Smokeless Rifle No. 2 - (44-40, 17gr)
What is "Bulk" smokeless powder?
There really is not a lot of information on this in layman's terms between 1894, when it was introduced for the 30-30, and 1911 when smokeless was really starting to take off. One of the earlier mentions I can find is in the 1902 American Rifleman's Encyclopedia, published by Peter's Cartridge Company.
Powders-The powders used by riflemen are of three types ; namely, black, semi-smokeless, and smokeless, the latter frequently called nitro powder.
Smokeless powders, or nitro powders, are divided into two types. The first is known as the bulk for bulk, meaning its charge corresponds, or nearly so, in bulk to the charge of black powder ; the second is the dense type, which means a charge equaling in strength the black powder charge but denser, or much less in bulk. It should be born in mind that the dense smokeless powder if used in the same bulk quantity as the black or the bulk for bulk smokeless, will likely burst or do damage to the rifle and shooter, for such a charge might mean two or three times the strength of a charge of the other two powders. Most of the accidents with smokeless powders are from this cause. Black powder and bulk for bulk smokeless powder may be safely measured, but the dense type should be weighed, or if measured, done with extreme care, and the charges named by the makers of the powders should not be exceeded. Special primers are recommended for each type of powder.
So there ya have it, nearly ten years after it was first introduced...right from the definitions from 1902...and right in the middle of the "smokeless powder should not be used in black powder arms, especially Colt's revolvers".
1893-1930's Dupont Smokeless Shotgun Powder
The Field & Stream issue from Feb. 1899 shows the Two Dog label on the back cover.
Shotgun Bulk Smokeless
Dupont - "Two Dogs" label, Introduced in 1893. This early, probably pre-1924 powder keg shows the brass cap
Smokeless Shotgun "Bulk" Powder
Load data - Apparently these kegs came with load data information in a "wrapper". I have added the "Wrapper" information below.
1893 - 1930's
These dupont granulars in size are much related to the black powder designations.
All powder is the same but granular sizes dictate their use. Shotgun being the largest followed by No. 1 for, but not limited, to large rifle cartridges like the 45-70 and No. 2 for the smaller rifle cartridges (referred to by this time as "mid-range rifles" like the 44-40.
1894-1926 Dupont Smokeless Rifle Powder No. 1
It is my understanding that the "photo" labels did not start until 1918
No. 1 Rifle
Dupont - Dead Stag Label, Introduced in 1894. For small caliber rifles but worked well in the 45-70.
Dupont No. 1 Bottom Label
Same as Shogun Bulk but smaller granulars. Photo examples of the "Read Instructions On Wrapper" can be seen above.
Same powder as Bulk Shotgun but smaller granulars. Shown in 45-70 Case - John Kort Collection
1894-1926 Dupont Smokeless Rifle Powder No. 2
No. 2 Rifle
Dupont - Dead Stag Label, Introduced in 1894 and was used in the 44-40. John Kort experimented a lot with this powder replicating original ballistics
Bottom Label
Same as Bulk Shotgun and No.1 but even smaller granulars.
Note this was the same 17gr loading as Laflin & Rand Sporting Rifle and Revolver powder. Further down this page, load data chart shows a 17gr charge with the 200gr bullet (lead)
Same as Dupont No. 1 but smaller granulars, Similar looking to SR80 but slightly lighter in color. Dupont No. 2 said to be dropped by 1909 but found in Winchester cartridges from 1914 and 1925.
Replicated loads shot in 1914 smokeless powder cases yielded the following results.
Advertised 1,300fps - 17g of Dupont No. 2 yielded 1,282fps @ 10,190psi/12,045cup
1896-1900 Laflin & Rand Smokeless Sporting Rifle Powder
Sporting Rifle & Revolver Powder
L&R Sporting Rifle Smokeless was introduced in 1896 as a smokeless substitute for black powder in older rifles and revolvers and discontinued in 1900.
Sporting Rifle & Revolver Powder
Load Data, probably the earliest...next to Dupont No. 2 "Dead Stag" label, of the 44-40 smokeless powders.
Blonde in color, not perforated or graphited, .018 “ thick and the diameter about .040 “. Appears to have suffered to the elements, turning a dark greenish color
1897- (1902)1948 Laflin & Rand "Sharpshooter" Smokeless Powder
1897- (1902)1948 Laflin & Rand "Sharpshooter" Smokeless Powder
for "Black Powder" Rifles
Sharpshooter (#1)
Laflin & Rand - "Flag in Wreath" logo w/L&R name, pre-1907, shows the same front label as the first can posted in here but shows the back label as being Sharpshooter. Introduced by Laflin & Rand in 1897 and produced by both Dupont and Hercules until 1948, was considered Sharpshooter #1. Hercules formulated a similar from 1902 to 1914 and it has been refered to as Sharpshooter #2
Sharpshooter
Load Data - Nothing shown for the 44-40 but does by 1903 when Sharpshooter was controlled by Dupont...and is also a HV load.
Perforated black discs .08” dia. X .015”, with 40% NG.
L&R Sharpshooter was also known as .45 Cal. Springfield Smokeless, and made specifically for the Springfield .45 rifle (45-70).
To Dupont by 1902
Replicated loads shot in 1940's smokeless powder cases yielded the following results.
Advertised 1,300fps - 15gr of Sharpshooter yielded 1,222fps @ 9,176psi/10,846cup
1898-Present Laflin & Rand "Bullseye" Smokeless Powder
1898-Present Laflin & Rand "Bullseye" Smokeless Powder
1898 Revolver Powder
1898 Revolver Powder
L&R's "Revolver Smokeless Powder" has been reported introduced and discontinued in the same year. It is difficult to follow the Bullseye trial but it is stated in a 1901 magazine that the new bullseye would be released soon. This indicated one of two things...there was three versions by 1902 or only two versions...one in 1898 and one in 1902.
The only examples of this powder tin, so far observed, are just like the ones photographed here but have a paper label glued to the back for Bullseye and has a "For Revolvers Only" sticker on front at the top. I am still researching this one. At some point, L&R switched from the red label to a blue label can.
1900 - Present Laflin & Rand "Unique" Smokeless Powder
Unique - Introduced by Laflin & Rand in 1900 as a reduced rifle load powder.
It became DuPont Unique in 1907 and became Hercules Unique in 1912, and became Alliant Unique in 1995.
Hercules reformulated Unique in 1960, reducing the NG content by half, and Alliant reformulated it again in 2001 for cleaner burning. It is still manufactured as a shotgun, pistol, and reduced load rifle powder.
Sharpe - Complete Guide to Handloading, 1937 Load Data
Revolver - 200gr JSP, 11.1gr, 1,100fps @ 15,000cup
Revolver - 205gr Lead, 10.9gr, 1,100fps @ 15,000cup
Revolver - 250gr Lead, 9.4gr, 965fps @ 15,000cup
Rifle - 200gr JSP, 11.3gr, 1,520fps @ 16,000 cup
Rifle - 200gr Lead, 11.3gr, 1,300fps @ 16,000cup
Shiny gray-black discs .065” dia. X .008”, and had a 40% NG content.
1899-1930's Laflin & Rand "Lightning" Smokeless Powder
1899-1930's Laflin & Rand "Lightning" Smokeless Powder
1899-1930's? Lightning #1
1903-1929 Lightning #2
Dupont - Another .30 cal powder started by Laflin & Rand and continued through Dupont and Hercules.
Sharpe - Complete Guide to Handloading, 1937 Load Data
Rifle - 200gr JSP, 19gr, 1,220fps
Rifle - 200gr JSP, 24.2gr, 1,555fps @ 14,000cup
Rifle - 200gr JSP, 26.7gr, 1,720fps @ 20,000cup
Better suited for .30 cals, it was used by handloaders for the 44-40.
Considered a perforated "tube" it is reported to look more like a perforated disc.
"Evolution In Ammunition", May 1903, page 273, Google Books
Regarding Normal Pressure cartridges, Low Pressure High Velocity cartridges and High Pressure High Velocity cartridges. The powders in which this was achieved at the time are as follows.
Low Pressure Smokeless Powders, pressures deemed lower than black powder pressures and directly replaced black powder charges for black powder firearms. This powder was used in the 38-55
Dupont's "No. 1" and "No.2" "Rifle Smokeless Powder" - Dupont's "White" [grain color] Low Pressure Powder
King's "Semi-Smokeless Rifle Powder", low pressure rifle powder
Laflin & Rand's "Smokeless Sporting Rifle Powder"...for rifles and
revolvers
Hazard's "Smokeless Rifle No. 2"
Mid-Range (Low to High) Pressure Smokeless Powder
Laflin & Rand's "Sharpshooter" smokeless powder
High Pressure Smokeless Powders, Predominately developed for the high powered 30-40 Krag but used in most .30 cal. cartridges (30-30, 38-55)
Laflin & Rand "W-A .30"
Laflin & Rand "Lightning"
Another interesting article from May 1903. This photo-link has been shared through Google Book's Digitalized share-link. I have added an edited photo highlighting some areas of interests. Incidentally, 1903 is when Winchester introduced the .44-40 High Velocity, Low Pressure cartridge for the Winchester Model 92' (see ammo box photo down below)
1909-1911 Dupont RSQ "Resque"
"Revolver, Special Quality" ?
On a side note, Colt manufactured the M1898 revolver better known as the "Colt New Service". It has been said that the government switched to smokeless powder for the 38 Long Colt in 1902. However, tin case examples with heaadstamps of 12-99, 2-00 and 4-00 have a case cannelure under the base of the bullet indicating smokeless loads with tinned cases. Bullseye powder was used for this new 38 Long Colt smokeless load and by 1909 the government switched back to the 45 Colt using RSQ smokeless powder.
Back around 1909, the US Government's loading machines kept dropping an occasional "double charge" of Bullseye in their M1909 45 Colt loads. Most of the time they would blow the gun with the first shot. DuPont came up with a replacement powder called RSQ. One could fire six consecutive double charged 38 caliber loads (I assume 38 Long Colt) before it got ugly. Being "rescued" by DuPont, Major K. K. V. Casey requested it be called "RSQ"......Resque! However, others argue "RSQ" really stands for "Revolver, Special Quality"
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