Since its introduction soon after 1881, E.G. powder has undergone considerable modifications, and is now a distinctly different product from a practical point of view.  It is now and has been since 1897 what is known as a 33-grain powder, that is to say, the old standard charge of 3 drams by measure for a 12-bore gun weighs 33 grains, as compared with 42 grains for the original E.G. and other nitro powders.  This improvement was effected by a reduction of the barium nitrate and the use of nitro-cellulose of a higher degree of nitration, and also more gelatinisation in manufacture.  The granules are very hard, and resist moisture to an extent hitherto unattainable by any “bulk” powder.

Irregularities of pressure in loading have also a minimum effect by reason of the hardness of the grains.  The colouring matter used is aurine, and the small quantity of nitrate used is the barium salt.  The powder is standardised for pressure velocity with Boulenge chronograph,[A] pattern and gravimetric density by elaborate daily tests, and is continually subjected to severe trials for stability under various conditions of storage, the result being that it may be kept for what in practice amount to indefinite periods of time, either in cartridges or in bulk without any alteration being feared.  The E.C. powders are used in sporting guns.  No. 1 and No. 2 E.C. are not at present manufactured, E.C.  No. 3 having taken their place entirely.  Since 1890 these powders have been manufactured under the Borland-Johnson patents, these improved powders being for some time known as the J.B. powders.  The E.C.  No. 1 was superseded by the E.C.  No. 2, made under the Borland-Johnson patents, and this in its turn by the E.C.  No. 3 (in 1897).

[Footnote A:  Invented in 1869 by Major Le Boulenge, Belgian Artillery.  It is intended to record the mean velocity between any two points, and from its simplicity and accuracy is largely employed.  Other forms have been invented by Capt.  Breger, French Artillerie de la Marine, and Capt.  Holden, R.A.]

Indurite is the invention of Professor C.E.  Munroe, of the U.S.  Naval Torpedo Station.  It is made from insoluble nitro-cotton, treated in a particular manner by steam, and mixed with nitro-benzene.  The Dupont powder is very similar to Indurite.  M.E.  Leonard, of the United States, invented a powder consisting of 75 parts of nitro-glycerine, 25 parts of gun-cotton, 5 parts of lycopodium powder, and 4 parts of urea crystals dissolved in acetone.  The French smokeless powder, Vielle poudre (poudre B), used in the Lebel rifle, is a mixture of nitro-cellulose and tannin, mixed with barium and potassium nitrates.  It gives a very feeble report, and very little bluish smoke.  The Nobel Company is said to be perfecting a smokeless powder in which the chief ingredients are nitro-amido- and tri-nitro-benzene.  C.O.  Lundholm has patented (U.S.  Pat, 701,591, 1901) a smokeless powder containing nitro-glycerine 30, nitro-cellulose 60, diamyl phthalate 10 (or diamyl phthalate 5, and mineral jelly 5).  The diamyl phthalate is added, with or without the mineral jelly to nitro-glycerine and nitro-cellulose.