Paul Revere's Artillery and Fireworks notebook

[cannonmn]

I was doing some research on Paul Revere and his cannon founding business, using microfilm of "The Revere Family Papers" (MA. Historical Society.)  The 15 reels of microfilm contain a huge volume of company books, bank books, letter books, notebooks, journals, etc. etc. covering about a century.  I was looking for records of cannons he cast, and located quite a few, and in the process ran across an interesting little notebook apparently handwritten by Paul Revere himself in 1801.  Here are a few of the 50 or so pages plus an image of the book itself (yours truly in background.)  The notebook begins with notes on 45 different death inquests, so Revere must have had some civic duties in that area.  The final 20 or so pages contain information on artillery, fireworks, procedures for making carcass and smoke shells for mortars, etc.

Does anyone know where Revere got the "rule of thumb" for cuttting the fuze on a mortar shell?

[MikeR C]

cannonmn , I've seen reference to all kinds of shells, but not smoke...
Have you heard what the purpose a smoke shell served? I would have to look up the law, seems like the Feds have restrictions on how much powder you can put in a shell, 1/4 oz I think. That may only apply to "explosive" powder. But SMOKE shells, that might be fun. Several of the pyro suppliers sell empty cases and smoke powder in bulk.
Hmmm...
MikeR C

[cannonmn]

Agree, you have to watch out for fed regs with any explosive or incendiary compound.  I don't know of any restriction on smoke as long as it is not also an incendiary.  I am seriously thinking of putting a smoke element in my 10" mortar shells when we shoot at longer ranges, so we can locate them easier.  We'll make sure not to fire them into dry grass or brush though.  Let me see if I can find Revere's explanation of smokes,  He may have meant static devices and not shells, come to think of it.

[cannonmn]

I looked over the rest of the notebook and Revere calls them "smoke balls" not shells, my mistake.  I can't see a referene to firing them, even though some versions are made out of mortar shells.  They apparently serve as signalling devices, being set up on a parapet in a line or whatever the signal calls for.  Revere cautions to cease firing with one's own guns so the smoke from them will not confuse the smoke signals from the smoke balls you are using.

[Will Bison]

The Congreve rocket also came with a smoke round. Several uses come to mind. If one puts smoke on a target it makes it difficult for the guy to see you. It could also be used to mark an obscure target or to mask your own position.

Looking at the ATF rules it appears that one quarter ounce of marking/smoke/explosive/tracer/incendiary is the max allowable. I don't recall the exact verbiage. I do know that in Nevada tracers/incendiary etc are a big No No due to fire hazard.