Barber pole stripe on a ramrod.

[Flintlock Whiskey]

Anyone know how it was done?

 

[ZUG]

If I do it, I use a propane torch from the hardware store and do it free hand, so the twist looks random. I don't do a tight twist either.

 

[kyron4]

Anyone know how it was done?

I'm curious about why it was done.

 

[Art Caputo]

I did it to one of my Hawkens ramrod back in the 70’s. I wrapped the hickory ramrod with a 1/2’ diameter white cotton rope dampened with water to serve as a guide, and used a propane torch to lightly scorch the exposed wood to a brown/black color. Like Zug, the twist appears random and not heavily scorched, as to opposed to a sold/uniform stripe. I then, lightly rubbed the rod with fine steel wool to create a brownish color to the striping, and applied an oil finish.
I understand it was decorative, but IMO, tends to,make the ramrod less conspicuous.
Not a great picture, but you can see the ramrod portion that enters the entry pipe on my Hawken.

 

[tenngun]

I'm curious about why it was done.

I don’t think it was done a lot and ITHINK it was mostly a SMR thing. I have one and did it with a spiral tape job and thinned down black wood model paint.
I think they look great, but many think it looks hooky.

 

[hanshi]

Since mine end up with sort of random markings just from trying to stain and wax them, I don't usually need to do anything more than that.

 

[Rifleman1776]

I did it a couple times with a candle flame. Decided the look was hokey. Stopped doing it.

 

[M. De Land]

Anyone know how it was done?

I've not done one as I don't really care for the look but originally think it was done with Aqua Fortice dipped string or a nitrate soaked string ignited.

 

[nhmoose]

I don't like them and wonder why it was done or is this another Dixee Gun Work fable in the back of the book?

 

[Dave Marsh]

Don't like the look at all.

 

[Thomas.bill92]

I did it to one of mine because the hickory wasn't taking on near enough color from the dark walnut stain I was using. Just used a propane torch. I like how it turned out!

 

[Jim K]

I did it to one of mine because the hickory wasn't taking on near enough color from the dark walnut stain I was using. Just used a propane torch. I like how it turned out!

We’re all different. I just did one too and I like it. I marked every two inches on the ramrod with a pencil. Put it in a drill and turned it slowly and used a torch on the pencil marks.

Now tacks on a rifle is different. Can’t stand them. That’s why there are chevys and fords.

 

[Loyalist Dave]

I don't like them and wonder why it was done or is this another Dixee Gun Work fable in the back of the book?

Might be..., I did it to my rod when I replaced it on my Frontier rifle when I owned one..., got into a hurry during a reload and left that rod against the tree where I reloaded..., found I had missed the deer since I found the branch that still had what was left of my round ball..., then realized I'd left the ramrod behind. When I got back to where I had been standing, it had fallen over but it was still easily seen lying on the fallen leaves, due to the alternating colors. NO IDEA if this was an actual reason for the twisting coloring or simply more lucky than anything.

LD

 

[Flintlock Whiskey]

Might be..., I did it to my rod when I replaced it on my Frontier rifle when I owned one..., got into a hurry during a reload and left that rod against the tree where I reloaded..., found I had missed the deer since I found the branch that still had what was left of my round ball..., then realized I'd left the ramrod behind. When I got back to where I had been standing, it had fallen over but it was still easily seen lying on the fallen leaves, due to the alternating colors. NO IDEA if this was an actual reason for the twisting coloring or simply more lucky than anything.

LD

I figured it was for decoration, but if it allows it to be easily found....
Its the reason I put a loop of dayglow orange paracord on my bush knives, I want them back.

 

[Docgp]

Now tacks on a rifle is different. Can’t stand them. That’s why there are chevys and fords.

I generally agree with you, but I have an old Traditions 50 cal "Hawken" that my dad gave as a kit when I was 18. Put tacks and all, and I love that little rifle. However, I don't see any more tacks in my future.

JMHO, I prefer a ramrod stained just a tad darker than the rifle, so as not to naturally draw the eye to it.

Doc

 

[M. De Land]

We’re all different. I just did one too and I like it. I marked every two inches on the ramrod with a pencil. Put it in a drill and turned it slowly and used a torch on the pencil marks.

Now tacks on a rifle is different. Can’t stand them. That’s why there are chevys and fords.

Ha Ha, true enough but I have noticed over the years that most current Ford truck owners have had a Chevy or Ram experience in their past.

 

[olskool]

way back i did it. i used a piece of tinfoil about 2in wide, wrap it around the rod and leave a space the width of the stripe you want, burn that it with torch. but it aint for me, kind of squirrely, like naming a rifle,,,,,,,,,,,,,

 

[Dusty_Traveler]

I've had two different antique original rifles that have had this done to the ramrods. I don't know the how or the why though. The stripes on both were painted on.

 

[45man]

Tacks are TACKY for sure. Neighbor has one he filled with brass tacks---UGLY and must weigh 10# more.

 

[oreclan]

Back in the 1970s I went to lectures/ discussions of the Trans Allegheny society sponsored by art dealer and local businessman, Les Zimmerman.
One lecture delt with flintlock firearms. One of the speakers said that only rifles had striped ramrods, in fact that is how you could tell it WAS a rifle!
His friend and fellow lecturer was accused of defrauding Les on delivering a high end, hand made frontier knife and we never saw either one again.
Never did stripe my ramrods.