I recently purchased a Colt 1892 New Navy/Army (civilian) in 41 Long Colt and it came with a ancient and badly deteriorated box of Western Lubaloy 200 grain ammo.
I tried firing the ammo and out of a box of 50 I got 5 to light off.
The rest I'm breaking down for the brass and bullets.
Upon breaking down the first round I was surprised to see that the powder was a finely ground yellow compound like nothing I've seen before.
The charge weight was around 4 or 5 grains (it was hard to get it all in the pan as it was so fine it would go everywhere) and looked like sawdust.
Anyone have any clue as to what powder type and manufacturer was used in this ammo?
The box just fell apart in my hands so it went in the trash but the brass is all "solid head" design vice "baloon head" if that gives any indication as to age.
I did touch off a single charge with a match (to make sure it was indeed a propellant and not sawdust) and it burned slow as molasses.
I chronographed the five rounds that fired and the velocities were consistent and the average for 5 shots was 725 fps, standard deviation was 25 fps.
Anybody know what this stuff is?