These are antique French tools used for reloading muzzle-loading firearms. They feature an adjustable brass cylinder for measuring different amounts of gunpowder ("Poudre") and lead shot ("Plomb"). The tools are equipped with wooden handles, often beech, for a secure grip during use. Historically used by hunters and sport shooters for handloading paper or brass shotgun shells. They allowed a shooter to precisely portion out black gunpowder (poudre) and lead shot pellets (plomb) into individual cartridges.
Each tool features a telescoping cylindrical brass cup. By loosening the thumbscrew or sliding the collar along the side markings, the user can adjust the cup's internal volume to hold more or less material. The markings visible on the side (such as 170, 196, 220) represent the measurement in grams (grammes) or French volumetric increments tailored to specific gauge sizes.
