It's one thing to buy day-old bread, or dishes with an irregular design. But quality control for your gunpowder was absolutely essential, back when it could mean the difference between life and death! There was no such thing as name brand gunpowder in the 18th century. Manufacturers would use this powder tester to make sure their gunpowder worked before they sold it. By placing a small sample in the tester, they could simulate the firing of a rifle and ensure that the powder was potent enough to do the job.