The problem with fulminate of mercury is that the damage is partially instantaneous, with the residue of the burning compound attacking the steel/iron in the barrel. Repeated use will degrade that barrel further until it erodes the rifling even if cleaned after every use of the gun. One of many reasons why this chemical compound was phased out in the first half of the Twentieth Century. Of course one of the byproducts is a cloud containing mercury emitted every time the trigger is pulled.
With black powder the main problem is the hydroscopic nature of the residue, collecting moisture and rusting over time which prompt cleaning takes care of. There is, however, a problem with the residual sulfur which will etch the barrel and along with the mercury residue, compounding the problem.
With black powder the main problem is the hydroscopic nature of the residue, collecting moisture and rusting over time which prompt cleaning takes care of. There is, however, a problem with the residual sulfur which will etch the barrel and along with the mercury residue, compounding the problem.
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