Pestle and Mortar.... Really?

katana · 26th June 2010, 01:53 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by fernando

Hi Gene,
Such a heavy iron thing hitting into (apparently soft) wood ... what an odd combination

Fernando

If the pestle and mortar are an original 'matched' pair ...I can think of one possible use ...to 'refine' gunpowder. This would explain why metal would be used with wood......metal to metal could generate heat/sparks .....not good with black powder around

. I would imagine that stored black powder may 'clump up' into lumps, if used, without breaking them up, the effectiveness of the powder is much reduced ...lessening the explosive power.

When I first saw the pictures.....I kept thinking the 'high' seas and cannons.... I'm probably 'wide of the mark' ....it certainly wouldn't be the first time

Regards David

tom hyle · 26th June 2010, 02:54 PM

And the channel around the mouth of the mortar catches spills. Nice

Owner; pleas stick as much of your head as will fit in there and breathe deeply. I'm serious. Any interesting smells?

laEspadaAncha · 26th June 2010, 06:34 PM

Looks more like a butter churn IMO, though the idea of an iron churn is rather unappetizing.

26th June 2010, 02:54 PM	#2
tom hyle Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Houston, TX, USA Posts: 1,254	And the channel around the mouth of the mortar catches spills. Nice Owner; pleas stick as much of your head as will fit in there and breathe deeply. I'm serious. Any interesting smells?

26th June 2010, 06:34 PM	#3
laEspadaAncha Member Join Date: Aug 2006 Posts: 608	Looks more like a butter churn IMO, though the idea of an iron churn is rather unappetizing.