X Marks the Scot - An on-line community of kilt wearers.

   X Marks Partners - (Go to the Partners Dedicated Forums )
USA Kilts website Celtic Croft website Celtic Corner website Houston Kiltmakers

User Tag List

Page 1 of 2 12 LastLast
Results 1 to 10 of 26

Hybrid View

  1. #1
    Join Date
    22nd December 10
    Location
    Virginia
    Posts
    4,157
    Mentioned
    0 Post(s)
    Tagged
    0 Thread(s)
    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...

  2. #2
    Join Date
    14th September 10
    Posts
    25
    Mentioned
    0 Post(s)
    Tagged
    0 Thread(s)
    Quote Originally Posted by Spartan Tartan View Post
    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.

  3. #3
    Join Date
    16th May 08
    Location
    forgotten
    Posts
    923
    Mentioned
    0 Post(s)
    Tagged
    0 Thread(s)
    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.

  4. #4
    Join Date
    3rd January 06
    Location
    Dorset, on the South coast of England
    Posts
    4,499
    Mentioned
    1 Post(s)
    Tagged
    0 Thread(s)
    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:

  5. #5
    Join Date
    25th September 04
    Location
    Victoria, BC, Canada 1123.6536.5321
    Posts
    4,794
    Mentioned
    3 Post(s)
    Tagged
    0 Thread(s)
    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.

  6. #6
    Join Date
    6th November 08
    Location
    Toronto, Ontario, Canada
    Posts
    514
    Mentioned
    0 Post(s)
    Tagged
    0 Thread(s)
    Are most using blackpowder versus a more modern product suck as pyrodex? It's been years since I dragged my Kentucky rifle out.......

  7. #7
    Join Date
    14th September 10
    Posts
    25
    Mentioned
    0 Post(s)
    Tagged
    0 Thread(s)
    Quote Originally Posted by MacCathmhaoil View Post
    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.

  8. #8
    Join Date
    27th October 09
    Location
    Kerrville, Texas
    Posts
    5,711
    Mentioned
    8 Post(s)
    Tagged
    0 Thread(s)
    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.

  9. #9
    Join Date
    30th June 10
    Location
    San Francisco, CA, USA
    Posts
    2,182
    Mentioned
    0 Post(s)
    Tagged
    0 Thread(s)
    Quote Originally Posted by seumasFinn View Post
    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."

  10. #10
    Join Date
    17th January 09
    Location
    The Highlands of Norfolk, England
    Posts
    7,015
    Mentioned
    0 Post(s)
    Tagged
    0 Thread(s)
    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

Page 1 of 2 12 LastLast

Tags for this Thread

Bookmarks

Posting Permissions

  • You may not post new threads
  • You may not post replies
  • You may not post attachments
  • You may not edit your posts
  •  

» Log in

User Name:

Password:

Not a member yet?
Register Now!
Powered by vBadvanced CMPS v4.2.0