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9th April 13, 11:53 AM
#1
Very interesting. I found that as I read your description I was picturing an experiment with a scrap piece of tartan! If it is true, wouldn't we expect to see regimental kilts of that era to be found stiff like you suggest? Are there any examples of the outcome you describe? Part of me wants to believe that a lack of evidence means that (at the very least) something can be done to treat the effects...
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9th April 13, 12:42 PM
#2
 Originally Posted by Spartan Tartan
Very interesting. I found that as I read your description I was picturing an experiment with a scrap piece of tartan! If it is true, wouldn't we expect to see regimental kilts of that era to be found stiff like you suggest? Are there any examples of the outcome you describe? Part of me wants to believe that a lack of evidence means that (at the very least) something can be done to treat the effects...
It is acidic:
SO2 + H2O -> H2SO4 (not balanced)
In my personal experience tartan wool was not effected by black powder smoke, though the situation in no way replicated the concentration that might have been found at say Waterloo or Quatre Bras. And i don't understand the hardening, I would think it would just eat away at the wool or leach the dyes. But I'm not a chemist.
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9th April 13, 12:56 PM
#3
I would think that kilts of the regiments would not be stiff or at least stiffer than usual. These were working garments and general walking. crawling, sleeping would create enough movement to break up the stiffness.
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10th April 13, 08:49 AM
#4
I just remembered a bit of my school chemistry..
Sulphur dioxide dissolves in water to form sulphurus acid - in British spelling. Equal numbers of the molecules are involved to produce the ionised solution of H2SO3.
The solution will then oxidise to one of Sulphuric acid, H2SO4 over time, given the opportunity - exposure to the air.
I should have remembered that - but it was rather a long time ago.
Anne the Pleater :ootd:
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10th April 13, 09:04 AM
#5
Let's not forget that it is not just the kilt that is made of wool in the clothing of the black powder period. Virtually all outer clothing was wool. Tunics are almost always wool and would be closer to the flash pan and the muzzle.
The chances would be far greater for any change in the look and feel nearer the source so if this is true I suppose we would see it first on these garments.
Steve Ashton
www.freedomkilts.com
Skype (webcam enabled) thewizardofbc
I wear the kilt because: Swish + Swagger = Swoon.
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10th April 13, 09:36 AM
#6
Are most using blackpowder versus a more modern product suck as pyrodex? It's been years since I dragged my Kentucky rifle out.......
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10th April 13, 02:13 PM
#7
 Originally Posted by MacCathmhaoil
Are most using blackpowder versus a more modern product suck as pyrodex? It's been years since I dragged my Kentucky rifle out.......
Elephant. It was an 1853 Enfield (replica).
BP is hygroscopic- hence if you leave the fouling untouched it attracts water which leads to oxidation of Fe which leads to rust and pitting. No idea what if any effect on wool, especially as a bit of rain or water would tend to dissolve it and wash it away.
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9th April 13, 12:58 PM
#8
Yeah, I don't know about its effect on wool, but black powder is indeed acidic (and very corrosive to metals). It was common practice to do thorough cleaning of any items that were dirtied by black powder residue, lest they be plagued by rust in short order. I would think that the rough usage of kilts during this period called for regular cleaning of them as well, even if it were only as simple as dunking it in water.
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9th April 13, 01:01 PM
#9
 Originally Posted by seumasFinn
It is acidic:
SO2 + H2O -> H2SO4 (not balanced)
. . .But I'm not a chemist.
I'm not a chemist either but, sulfur being an essential component of black powder, I should have thought of that.
"It's all the same to me, war or peace,
I'm killed in the war or hung during peace."
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9th April 13, 03:26 PM
#10
Thanks Guys,
I really don't know. I was on the outside of a conversation some 20+ years ago and I might have misunderstood completely. It has nagged me all this time and when this forum opened, I thought that it was high time that I asked someone.
Regards
Chas
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