Here's something that I've wondered about for 30 years.......... How did the dupont powder numbering system come about? There seems to be no rational to it. To of the oldest powers have far separated numbers (4759 & 3031) and and the latest (of that era of powders) 4350 doesn't follow in any order.

Any one know?

Frank

I dimly recall Phil Sharpe having written that the numbers were either the prototype lot number or a formulation number generated by DuPont's development labs.  The sequence being purely chronological, number having no relation whatever to the characteristics of the powder.

I'll try to find the reference tomorrow.

Chuckster,
I thought that I read years ago that the "modern" Dupont black powder was Sodium Nitrate and that the "old" Dupont BP (turn of the 19th century) was Potassium Nitrate. The article that I read said the Potassium was less hydroscopic and fouled less. It went on to say that because of the lack of demand, Dupont stopped making the Potassium nitrate gun powder and replaced it with their sodium potassium blasting powder. 

I believe the source that I read it in was "Muzzle Blast" the National Muzzle Loading Rifle Association magazine. I could be wrong, does anyone else remember anything like that? 

Frank

Did an experiment. Have an oval Dupont can with a little powder left in it. Can't swear it is the original powder but do know it is, at least, forty plus years old. It flashes red, same as GOEX.  I was incorrect. Frank is right.
Chuck