Darryl T.
Back a half century ago I used to make some
Monday, May 15, 2023, 18:11

Got the potassium nitrate (saltpeter) and sulfer at the local drug store. Small town I grew up in (Plant City FL.), pharmacist knew my family well. He asked if I was making gunpowder? I remember being scared but told him yes. He said that what I wanted was this... and got me a bottle of the appropriate sulfer. Imagine that happening now? I had a built my first handgun, a family friend who was in his 60s I spent alot of time with and learning from, turned a barrel for me and gave me ball bearings to fit. I fired it with jet-x fuse and a match. Carved a wooden grip and made steel bands to attach it. Made pure charcoal from scrap wood in a gallon paint can on the barbecue. Punched a nail hole in the lid and when it smoked out of the hole lit it, and shot a jet of fire out till ready. It shot pretty well at stationary targets. A different world then when a pre-teen could do that, with his parents okay and dads help.