blackpowder
Musket's propellant charge
Blackpowder is the earliest form of gunpowder—a mixture of potassium nitrate, charcoal, and sulfur that ignites with a distinctive flash and smoke.
It remains the propellant for muzzleloaders, flintlocks, and other antique firearms: blackpowder shooting, blackpowder season (hunting periods reserved for traditional weapons).
Also spelled as two words.
Potassium nitrate compound
- charcoalBurned wood residue
- sulfurYellow combustible element
- mortar and pestleManual crushing implements
- corningSalt-preserving meat
granulation · serpentine · glazing · incorporation · potassium nitrate · ratio · mixture · grinding
Muzzle-loaded infantry firearm
- flintlockFlint-sparked firearm mechanism
- cannonLarge mounted gun
- muzzleloaderGun loaded through barrel
- matchlockCord-ignited gun mechanism
arquebus · blunderbuss · cartridge · charge · wadding · ramrod · flash pan · priming
Explosive light displays
- sparklerEmitting light stick
- rocketPropulsion-driven spacecraft
- fountainWater-spouting structure
- fuseProtective melting wire
mortar · lance · salute · cracker · banger · celebration · display
Early portable firearm
- culverinHistorical long-range cannon
- bombardAttack without ceasing
- siegeEncirclement forcing surrender
- revolutionViolent governmental overthrow
colonialism · buccaneer · corsair · piracy · dueling · armory · magazine · arsenal
Gun loaded through barrel
- huntingPursuing wild game
- reenactmentStaged reproduction of events
- target shootingPrecision firing sport
- traditionalFollowing long-held customs
patch · percussion cap · caplock · sidelock · rendezvous · mountain man · buckskin
saltpeter
Potassium nitrate compound
- charcoalBurned wood residue
- sulfurYellow combustible element
- mortar and pestleManual crushing implements
corning · granulation · serpentine · glazing · incorporation · potassium nitrate · ratio · mixture · grinding · milling
musket
Muzzle-loaded infantry firearm
- flintlockFlint-sparked firearm mechanism
- cannonLarge mounted gun
- muzzleloaderGun loaded through barrel
matchlock · arquebus · blunderbuss · cartridge · charge · wadding · ramrod · flash pan · priming · bore
fireworks
Explosive light displays
fuse · mortar · lance · salute · cracker · banger · celebration · display
arquebus
Early portable firearm
- culverinHistorical long-range cannon
- bombardAttack without ceasing
- siegeEncirclement forcing surrender
revolution · colonialism · buccaneer · corsair · piracy · dueling · armory · magazine · arsenal · cavalry
muzzleloader
Gun loaded through barrel
- huntingPursuing wild game
- reenactmentStaged reproduction of events
- target shootingPrecision firing sport
traditional · patch · percussion cap · caplock · sidelock · rendezvous · mountain man · buckskin
blackpowderhigh explosives
Rapidly detonating destructive compounds
TNT · C-4 · dynamite · plastic explosive · Semtex
black, powder, blacker, blackest, blacken, blackened, blackening, blackness, blackish