The Chemistry of Powder and Explosives - Sciencemadness Dot Org

PYROTECHNIC MIXTURES 55
compositions probably produced no brilliant sparks but only
glowing globules of molten slag which gave the rocket a more
luminous tail. Hanzelet Lorrain 4 in 1630 showed a more advanced
knowledge of the art and gave every evidence of being acquainted
with it by his own experience. He described several mixtures
containing antimony sulfide and compositions, for balls of brilliant
fire to be thrown from the hand, which contain orpiment
(AS2S3) and verdigris.
Stars of the only two compositions which are well approved.
Take of powder (gunpowder) four ounces, of saltpeter
two ounces, of sulfur two ounces, of camphor half an
ounce, of steel filings two treseaux, of white amber half an
ounce, of antimony (sulfide) half an ounce, of (corrosive)
sublimate half an ounce. For double the efficacy it is necessary
to temper all these powders with gum agragante dissolved
in brandy over hot cinders. When you see that the
gum is well swollen and fully ready.to mix with the said
brandy, it is necessary forthwith to mix them in a mortar
with the powder, the quicker the better, and then to cut up
the resulting paste into pieces. These stars are very beautiful
and very flowery. Note that it is necessary to put them to
dry in a pastry or baking oven after the bread has been
taken off of the hearth.
Second star composition. Take of saltpeter in fine and dry
flour ten ounces, of charcoal, of sulfur, of powder (gunpowder),
of antimony (sulfide), and of camphor each two
treseaux. Temper the whole with oil of turpentine, and make
it into a powdery (mealy) paste which you will put into
little cartridges; and you will load them in the same manner
as rockets [that is, by pounding in the charge]. When you
wish to use them, it is necessary to remove the paper wrapper
and to cut them into pieces setting a little black match
(meche d'estoupin) in the middle (of each piece) through a
little hole which you will pierce there.
How fire balls are made so white that one can scarcely
look at them without being dazzled. Take a pound of sulfur,
three pounds of saltpeter, half a pound of gum arabic, four
ounces of orpiment: grind all together, and mix well by hand,
4 Hanzelet Lorrain, "La p'yrotechnie," Pont a Mousson, 1630. The author's
name is a pseudonym of Jean Appier.
of a foot long, or, more, or lesse, as you think fit) with a slow composition,
and binde them upon a staffe of four or five foot long; prime them so
that one being ended, another may begin: you may prime them with a
stouple or match (prepared as before). Make an osier basket about it with
a hole in the very top to fire it by, and it is done."