As there are defined weights associated with Hogsheads and Pecks and Bushels and so on, is there an accepted definition of weight when speaking of a drum of snuff? As I’ve recently graduated to purchasing in bulk this is a distinction that is currently in the fore. The WoS snuff I’ve gotten was sold in 260g amounts, the Samuel Gawith in 250g. Aside from some excellent snuff, what did I in fact purchase? Drums, half drums? History lessons looked forward too as well!
8 quarts equals one peck … 4 pecks equals one bushel … therefore, 1 peck is 1/4 of a bushel … the weight would depend on how much you can get into that 1/4 bushel… I would think the same with all the other measurements… 4 gills =1 pint 2 pints =1 quart 4 quarts =1 gallon 2 gallons =1 peck 4 pecks =1 bushel 8 bushels =1 quarter 5 quarters =1 load 36 bushels =1 chaldron The only thing I found on weight of a hogs head of tobacco was 12-18 CTW. If this is the same as the measurement used in the late 1800’s (CWT) , then 1CWT=100 lbs. (Centa-weight, I guess) Hogshead of tobacco may come in between 1,200-1,800 lbs. I don’t know…I deal mostly in drams of whiskey,OTD.
So the term drum refers to volume rather than weight?
“Drum” was never a designated term in the Imperial system of weights and measurements. “Drum” is simply a generic term referring to a cylindrical container that can be any size. A tobacco hogshead weighs approximately one thousand pounds.
Wikipedia says that: “A drum is a cylindrical container used for shipping bulk goods.” Recall those big oil barrels - those containers seem to be called drums also. I think the term drum refers to shape of the container rather than any measurement. The Wilsons bulk snuff containers are kind of shaped in a cylindrical manner like those drums / barrels. In general I would think of a basic snuff amount to the term “drum” – one drum would be about one pound of snuff.
“1CWT=100 lbs. (Centa-weight, I guess)” That would be a short hundredweight (US customary units) Then there is the long hundredweight = 112 pounds (imperial unit) 20 hundredweights to the ton in both systems 1 long ton = 2240 pounds 1 short ton= 2000 pounds then there is the metric ton, 1000 Kg or 2200 pounds. oh well, I think it’s time for a pinch of Levi.
“DRUM” is also the name of a magazine in Africa with photos of nude African girls (it’s the Playboy for Africans). A while ago the use of snuff “down under” by African woman was discussed on this forum. So please be warned: If you order a drum of African snuff you might receive something totally different of what you had in mind.
lol, Note to self, “Do not order African snuff drum”, check! Gawd what an awful thread that was Pieter Thanks all, sounds perfectly reasonable. And you all may be happy to know that this old fart got it through his thick head that just because 1 ounce equals 28 grams it does not necessarily mean that a 1ounce container will hold 25 grams of snuff. As well as the reason that this is so. Duh… We are allowed senior moments once in awhile, yes? (-;
I have ordered a *few* drums of snuff, well, really half drums. For Samuel Gawith, a half drum is 250g, and a drum is 500g. For Wilsons, a half drum is 260g and a drum is one pound. For Gawith Hoggarth, a half drum is 250g, and a drum is 500g. (Will have to wait for Airey’s of Kendal to come back online to confirm.
That was how it was with Airey’s before the site went off line for overhaul. They sell all four sizes of GH snuffs - 10g tap box, 25g, 250g and 500g drums. The drums (even the 25g ones) are far superior to those wretched tap boxes.
@ cstokes & ermtony: This sounds like a really good option. I’m renouncing the useless plastic tap boxes and buy bulk instead. What are the 25gr tubs/drums like, do they seal well? Many thanks!
I have been assured that the 25g tubs I ordered are fresh from the mill. These are also the same 25g tubs that G. Smith & Sons snuffs are sold in.
I’ve seen two variants of the 25g tubs. One has a screw thread and on the other the lid is a push fit. Both are much more airtight than the tap boxes though just how long the snuff would stay fresh in either I couldn’t say. They never seem to last me long!
@ cstokes & ermtony: Thanks for your kind answers. You are right; 25 grams is not that many toots anyhoo, good for a longer evaluation, too!