Bits and Pieces

[Kapow]

I know my workmanship leaves a lot to be desired but after buying a couple of flintlock rifles I wanted my accessories to be a bit more in keeping with traditional styles so I made a few practical knick knacks that are proving very useful.

Firstly I made a couple of deer antler powder measures . I glued in some brass tubing to maintain consistency .

Then I made a short starter for field use and a vent pick out of a fine drill bit and antler tip.

The priming horn is again a piece of antler beam with the powder dispenser bought from Track of the Wolf. They're all based on hunting use so are more functional than aesthetic but they do add to my appreciation of the history of the rifle .

 

[SgtErv]

Those will do! What did you use to secure the drill bit into the vent pick?

 

[Calum]

Very nicely done.

Calum

 

[Rifleman1776]

a vent pick out of a fine drill bit

OH NO! :shocked2:
Rule #23 in the ml bible is never, never-ever, never use drill rod for a vent pic. :nono: Don't do it. :shake:
Drill rod is brittle and will break at some point in time. And probably at the worstest possible time.
I was given (actually won) a vent pick with a beautifully scrimed bone handle. But, it was made with drill rod and broke in my shooting bag just from handling. Now I have a useless piece of scrimed bone.
Spring wire or music wire is all that should be used.
OTOH, I admire your making things for your own use. That is a big part of what this game is all about.

 

[Kapow]

Don't be such a drama queen! If it breaks, which it won't, I'll pull the vent liner. It's glued into the antler with epoxy. It works a treat because rather than pushing powder back into the chamber it cuts a neat hole into it. Very effective. And it requires minimal force to work.

The forked antler measure is made to double as a short starter. It's good enough for my .40 calibre to get the ball started .

 

[Cowboy]

Wow! They all look great!

It is wonderful that you can make such handy items like that. They definitely fit in the theme of traditional muzzleloading and all the other aspects that go along with them.

Very nice work! Love the pics as well.

Respectfully, Cowboy :thumbsup:

 

[Tallswife]

Beautiful workmanship, thank you for sharing your tools!

 

[S.Kenton]

I like your stuff...I've made a lot of my own ball starters, primers, and vent picks too. I do agree that drill bits are hard and break easy.. However...your not prying on anything..I used to make vent picks and give them away as blanket prizes, or gifts...I can't tell you how many of mine I see floating around at the rondys that have drill bits in them , that I made years ago. I used to make vent picks out of coat hangers, drill bits, nails, old sewing
needles....about anything I can grind down to fit in to my vent liner.