BRITISH "FIRE ROCKET" FRAME DESIGN DRAWING
Fascinating design for a "Fire Rocket Fraim &c.", with "Gunpowder Properties of the different Ingredients for Making Gunpowder by Different Powers in Europe", 2pp. legal folio, [England, n.d. ca. 1810]. Recto bears a page-long design of a "Fire Rocket Fraim", a tubular structure over 18 feet long with various cross pieces, pins and thumb screws illustrated. It appears that this frame held a Congreve rocket or similar projectile until its ignition and launch. Such rockets were used with great effect by the British in many campaigns, including during the War of 1812 and the attack on Fort McHenry. The verso shows various percentages of saltpeter, charcoal and sulfur generally used by various European powers in mixing gunpowder. Methods of testing gunpowder at Kings Mills is described in detail, including performance in firing cannon balls and when used in the firing of muskets. Excellent content, lightly soiled at folds, else very good.