Is this an "old man's hobby"?

[Iain]

Originally Posted by RDGAC

25 since July and a history geek since I can remember. First weapon I ever acquired was some tiny little dagger, supposedly Indian, which my grandfather acquired god-knows-where or when, and by which I was fascinated inordinately. Jezails became my thing after I heard about them from my dad (also a history buff to an extent), and we acquired one at work (which is documented here). Unfortunately, due to Britain's obsession with gun control, getting a crack at shooting any isn't looking likely for some while.

Hopefully I'll still be doing this when I turn 70-odd and can barely remember which end of the piece does what

No private gun ranges where you can shoot unlicensed? I'm surprised black powder is heavily regulated.

In any case good to see there's a few of us under "middle age" here.

[RDGAC]

Originally Posted by Iain

No private gun ranges where you can shoot unlicensed? I'm surprised black powder is heavily regulated.

In any case good to see there's a few of us under "middle age" here.

It's surprisingly heavily regulated, since it's legally classed as an explosive. (Modern smokeless stuff, by contrast, is not - I have not a clue why.) See here for some information. The amusing bit is that I can waltz into any old shop and buy fireworks with a reasonable quantity of BP in them over the counter, no questions asked.

You also need a good reason to have it - for shooting powders, you'd therefore need a shotgun (Section II) license, if you were using a smoothbore gun, or a Firearms (Section I) license if using a rifled musket. Shotgun certs are easier to get but you still have to jump through hoops.

Far as I know there hasn't been such a thing as an "unregulated", legal, operating firearm of any kind here since 1968.

[spiral]

Originally Posted by RDGAC

It's surprisingly heavily regulated, since it's legally classed as an explosive. (Modern smokeless stuff, by contrast, is not - I have not a clue why.) .

Black powder is a simple but very effiecent, off low explosive, Smokeless generaly is not, it burns in a more more even progresive manner, I understand.

As for fireworks.....Its the old habitual stuff I guess, rather like if tobbaco was discovered today it would be illegal.

Spiral

[fernando]

Originally Posted by spiral

... Its the old habitual stuff I guess, rather like if tobbaco was discovered today it would be illegal...

Indeed when tobbaco appeared in Europe, in all its pure strength, the effects were so frightening that, in some nations, even death penalty was established ... i think in France.
... Just a curiosity note

[spiral]

Originally Posted by fernando

Indeed when tobbaco appeared in Europe, in all its pure strength, the effects were so frightening that, in some nations, even death penalty was established ... i think in France.
... Just a curiosity note

Wow! Id never heard of that! Off to google!

J

[spiral]

No not France, Russia,China & some Muslim states..


Great link on history of tobbaco....

linky on the weed...

spiral

[fernando]

Originally Posted by spiral

No not France, Russia,China & some Muslim states..


Great link on history of tobbaco....

linky on the weed...

spiral

Not so fast, Jonathan
You must widen your search; quite a few nations to pick.
I wouldn't wish to go off topic .
Just give you a couple tips: Persian shah Abbas-Sofi (1590) death penalty for those found chewing tobacco leaves; Shogun Tokugawa ( XVII century) 50 days hard labour for tobacco smokers; Turkey (XVII century) ears and nose ripped off; Tzar Russia (XVII century) off to Siberia or death penalty.