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  1. Leadball loader

    Anybody bend a TC barrel?

    I bought a TC Hawken flint I the early 70’s and never shot it much and did not get it sighted in. In the early 90’s I decided to use it to hunt deer and started trying to sight it in. It shot off to the left a lot. I finally realized it did have a bent barrel and decided to see if I could...
  2. Leadball loader

    Musket use in 18th century era

    In the posts asking about the comparison between the Bess and the Charleville muskets there was a discussion about durability and soldiers abuse of their muskets. The soldiers and militia in the continental army spent more time carrying those cumbersome long arms than actually using them in...
  3. Leadball loader

    Shout-out for Angie & Group Builder

    I went to my profile and was able to log out. Also got back in.
  4. Leadball loader

    Shout-out for Angie & Group Builder

    One thing I don’t see is a log in log out icon. How do I log out?
  5. Leadball loader

    Flint Life

    I have found that lead does not hold the flint as well as leather. I find the leather holds up longer and is more reliable than soft lead. It requires attention to the lock whichever material you use. I try to check the flint every five shots or so. It is nice to get sparks when I want them.
  6. Leadball loader

    Wayne’s Legion light infantry musket

    The muskets had a slanted vent so the fine powder used to charge the weapon would fill the pan when poured down the muzzle. The soldier could therefore keep his attention on the enemy and the gun would be ready to shoot after ramming the charge. I believe they modified the standard model 1766...
  7. Leadball loader

    Wayne’s Legion light infantry musket

    I have been reading about the first national army in Autumn of the Black Snake by W. Homeland. There is a description of a redesigned musket for the Light Infantry units to allow faster shooting. Has anyone seen an example of these muskets? General Wayne himself apparently was involved in the...
  8. Leadball loader

    Just ordered N.W.Chiefs Musket

    Sorry read wrong post. Hope you can still feel some enjoyment from your new gun.
  9. Leadball loader

    Just ordered N.W.Chiefs Musket

    Sorry to hear of your loss. Hope that having your daughter interested and participating is helping ease your grief. Your nw gun will be fun for you both to shoot.
  10. Leadball loader

    Just ordered N.W.Chiefs Musket

    They are not as refined as the guns made to order and costing a good bit more but they can be brought to a good condition with a little work. They come close to what original guns were when new. Modern steel makes them stronger than originals. The locks have had good strong springs on the five...
  11. Leadball loader

    Just ordered N.W.Chiefs Musket

    I have the 42 inch barrel version from AH and it shoots where you point it. I did have to lighten the trigger let off , get a 3/8 hickory ramrod from tow,and finish drilling the rod hole to take the new rod. The brass rod end was removed from the decorative dowl that it came on and fitted to...
  12. Leadball loader

    Fusil de Chasse original metal finish

    I used to feel that my guns needed to be like new. I have learned all things age and are no longer new. They still work well if we take care of them though. They just look used. I now don’t mind the used look. My guns will give me pleasure in their use with stains and a few dings. I got them...
  13. Leadball loader

    Fusil de Chasse original metal finish

    I have the Bouchard booklet fromTOW but the only references Concerning the metalwork I have found mention well filed and polished. I take that to mean arsenal bright. I have noted that some who are building de Chasse talk of putting a metal finish on at least the barrel. I am thinking no...
  14. Leadball loader

    Fusil de Chasse original metal finish

    I have not found any references to the barrel and locks on the Fusil de Chasse being blued or browned. Is there a reference source that does indicate that there was a finish or were they most likely Arsenal bright? Leadball loaders
  15. Leadball loader

    18th century Smoothbore lifespan

    I think the cleaning issue explains the scarcity of period guns. We don’t factor in the hardships of living during those times. It took much more time to just provide sustenance for daily life and it was done with limited resources indeed compared to today. Those who used the gun in military...
  16. Leadball loader

    18th century Smoothbore lifespan

    I would agree with you on the lumping. I was mostly thinking of frontier situations and that is where the hardest use was required. Keeping a gun functional was a challenge I’m sure under difficult conditions. Those that depended on a gun for food and defense or offense had to pay attention to...
  17. Leadball loader

    18th century Smoothbore lifespan

    From what I’ve read they used vegetable oils like olive oil or bear fat rendered into oil and yes whale oil. I’m using canola oil with pretty good results. It does tend to thicken but it lubes and protects the metal surfaces from most rust. I try to run an oiled rag over each gun every few...
  18. Leadball loader

    18th century Smoothbore lifespan

    The response you wrote was very informative and gives a good peek into the 18th century use of firearms. It is obviously a complicated subject with few definite answers. I am experimenting a bit on how to maintain my guns with the materials available then. It is not quite as easy as using...
  19. Leadball loader

    18th century Smoothbore lifespan

    I read in Morgan’s bio of Boone the harvest of deer for hides led to times when he shot large numbers in a day. That indicates a very high usage. Boone used both rifle and Smoothbore and frequently lost them to Indian trades and debt payment. I guess now I think of it that made guns a...
  20. Leadball loader

    18th century Smoothbore lifespan

    Somewhere in my reading recently I was surprised to see the author state that guns only lasted a few years. Guns were considered consumables. I had also read somewhere that Native American took care of their firearms. Considering the corrosive propellant used it is not surprising that guns...
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