This copper and tin container was used for the storage and transport of cordite that replaced black powder in 1889 as a military propellant. The stamped of a government broad arrow and date 1903 show the item was made for the war department and not for commercial use. The container once empty of explosives was used for many years as a flour bin on board the crayfish ketch "Lady Brassey" by Mr Charlie Washbourne, Crib Point, Australia (on the Mornington Peninsula in Victoria). The ketch Lady Brassey was probably named after Anna or "Annie" Brassey (née Allnutt), Baroness Brassey (7 October 1839 – 14 September 1887) who was an English traveller and writer. Her bestselling book A Voyage in the Sunbeam, Our Home on the Ocean for Eleven Months (1878) describes a voyage around the world including a visit to Australia.The explosives container is an example of how explosive compounds were stored and transported at the turn of the 20th century. It is significate as it is in very good condition and an artefact from Australia's colonial history around the Federation, just as the country was gaining independence from Britain.Metal box with tin sides, copper top and base and round, double layered lid that has a folding, D shaped handle. Referred to as a cordite container or copper drum. Inscriptions are stamped onto the drum and are on a sticker under the lid.Handle stamped "S & Co. 1900" on lid. Base is stamped "R.G.D. 1903" (meaning the container seals are resistant to Rapid Gas Decompression (RGD)") Logo: triangular "(vertical arrow) / A T " between letters and date. Base also has blue plastic label "N.T. 55" Sticker: "B55". flagstaff hill, warrnambool, flagstaff hill maritime museum, maritime museum, shipwreck coast, flagstaff hill maritime village, great ocean road, copper container, gunpowder container, government issue container, r.g.d. 1903, lady brassey, charlie washbourne, crib point, baroness brassey, cordite container, copper drum, gun powder container, gun powder, black powder, black powder container, explosives storage, crayfish ketch

Used by Mr. Gordon Blake of Ocean Grove, retired During WWII. The flares were black gunpowder in cardboard containers. The pistol was previously in possession of Coast Watch Radio and Marine Rescue Squad Inc., Ocean GroveBlack bakelite hand grip. Steel barrel 12cm long x 5cm dia. R F Sedgley Inc. Signal Pistol Mark IV. pt 8582 1-16-43 pAT.8-22-32gordon blake, signal pistol

3 small round tins marked Eley Bros London percussion caps 100 caps No12 manufacturers of sporting ammunition.arms, materiel, gunpowder

Yellow tin with cap and partial paper label both sides reading Genuine Smokeless Amberlite Sporting Gunpowder can be loaded as black gunpowder No2 made only by Curtiss & Harvey Sandbank London & Glasgow.Curtiss & Harvey, Sandbank London & Glasgowarms, materiel, gunpowder

Black tin with cap with partial label in diamond shape on both sides reading Curtis and Harvey No2 The Diamond Grain Gunpowder sole agents for Victoria. Contains shot for shotgun cartridges.arms, materiel, gunpowder

This fine grade gunpowder was used in pistols on farming properties. A vintage rusted black gunpowder tin with a screw top funnel lid. It has a diamond shaped indent on the front and centre back with black and white paper label branding of the manufacturer and supplier. The branding is on the top of the flask as well.'The Diamond Grain Gunpowder Made Only By Curtis's & Harvey Hounslow and London'. is printed on the diamond shaped paper label at the front. 'No. 2' is printed at the sides of this label. At the top of the tin is white text on a black background 'McMicking & Co. Melbourne Sole Agents for Victoria.' On the centre back of the tin is a printed paper illustration of dead rabbits and a rifle in the woods framed in a circle, surrounded by an etched diamond shape and 'Curtis's Harvey No.2'.containers, gunpowder, tins, firearm accessories, pistols, firearms, breechloading pistols