Carrying greased patches

[elarges]

Hmmm...doesn't anyone use spit patches anymore??
:v

 

[sprucefly]

My father always claimed the old timers he knew would thread precut patches on a loop of string and hang it around their neck. The string was threaded through the edge of the pre-greased patches so they could grab one and just jerk it off the string.

Another way was to tie the patch around the ball ahead of time so that they were carrying pre-patched balls.

My favorite way is the loading block.

 

[riarcher]

I tried the pre-patched ball idea awhile ago and it worked at the time on my .440 balls.
I'm presently using a ball bag (with spout & plug) that I've made up and the .75 cal with a patch is a possibility,,, but I'd need a larger spout and plug (not really a prob. though).
So far I'm liking the string and knot idea best.
May even be PC? (well maybe?)

Ericlarges-
Spit is fine on smaller cals. But on my .75 I feel like I've a pair of jeans in my cotton mouth after a few shots (and there's no room left for 5 pennies! :winking: ) And lube just keeps my fouling so much softer to contend with.

Thanks all for the ideas. :hatsoff:

 

[Twisted_1in66]

Saw a neat solution, probly not PC, but a good cure all the same....
Pard took an empty Altoids tin, but it in the fire to burn off all the paint, lightly wiped with 0000 steel wool, applied barrel browning (not blueing)paste and puts his greased patches in that.
I saw that and did the proverbial"why didnt I think of that!"
no more patches in the bottom ,falling out of plastic bag, wrestling with a zip lock.

FYI
Brett

I use those tins to hold both my Moose Snot and my cleaning tools (jag, worm, etc.). Used a propane torch on them and then the 0000 steel wool. Looks real old and is real simple to do.

After seeing the way Stumpy set up his kit, I bought small leather pouch to store my patching material. The plan is to coat it with beeswax and put my treated roll of ticking inside it. I also cut at the muzzle (not coned).

-----------------------------------------
Twisted_1in66 :thumbsup:

 

No, those would have been called Tallow Boxes. Old dried out patches and tow worms have been found in some old longrifle patchboxes out west.

Originally the 'patchbox' was called just a 'box' and people argue over what they were used for--certainly over time they came to be called 'patchbox' for a reason--and the late circular boxes seem made for patches. I have read comments from those who have examined many old rifles and some say the boxes are 'dry' and others report seeing evidence of tallow or other lube. Some old rifles have tools in the box (worms, ball pullers, etc.). I saw one fine original PA rifle that had two paper cartridges in the box--two quick follow-up shots? I carry lubed patches in small round cap tin and balls in a bag with a horn spout. But if in a situation where speed and ease of loading is required, I carry the bullets loose in a small belt pouch and either a strip of ticking tied to my bag strap or precut loose patches in the ball pouch. None of my rifles are coned, so that isn't a problem. Over the years I have used just spit, Crisco, various commercial lubes and tallow. Today I use at different times, spit, tallow or wonder lube.

 

[LRB]

A spit patch is fine for plinking and such, but if you leave the gun loaded for any length of time, the spit patch will rust your bore, and if you are after maximum accuracy, you will get different results from one to the other. Slight, but different.

 

[Johnny Tremain]

Round wooden snuff box, you see them at all the rondies

 

[malachi]

I still do never could get used to the taste of lubed ones :rotf: :rotf:

 

[Cruzatte]

Cutting at the muzzle is a nice slow way to do it and you have to carry a patch knife. If your barrel is coned (as originals were) a patch knife won't work. The greasy stack method is fast and can be accomplished with a blind fold on.

I don't carry a patch knife. Nope, not at all. That's just one more piece of truck & plunder to lose. I use my belt knife. My rifle barrel is coned, I therefore thumb start the ball, cut the patch, shove the whole package down on the powder charge, prime, and shoot. Easy.

Cruzatte

 

[dlemaster]

I owned an original flintlock rifle by Nicholas Hawk that had remnants of tallow in the box, I now own a signed Peter Gonter flintlock and the box is as dry as the Sahara, no tallow and it doesn't even look like there are traces of any oil or anything else in the box. Sooo...

Regards, Dave

 

[Mike Moore]

I carry my patches hanging off the pouch in a strip that has been prelubed and cut about 3/4 way through.
That way when you are ready a slight tug will separate the patch (which are all cut to a preset
length) with out the use of a knife and they are kept in a handy place.
In primitive runs, I have even used just the powder horn with measure, vent prick and a loading block (if they allow it)hanging off of it. If they don't then a strap of material and a few balls in my pocket or a empty small pouch.

 

[TANSTAAFL]

I read all posts expecting some others would do as I have done for years. I have a length of very stiff and springy silver solder wire attached to shoulder strap just above my possibles bag. It is bent into the shape of a safety clasp, with a dozen or so greased patches threaded onto the wire. Need a patch, just a one handed unclasp and lift one off

 

[Deadeye]

Tanstaafl, Best idea I've heard yet.

 

[mmahlock]

Sounds interesting, can you post a photo? :thumbsup:

 

[bnail]

That's a great idea, but arn't you worried about the prelubed patches gathering dust and grit that might booger up the bore?

 

[walruskid1]

i use cap tins for smaller patches and musket cap tins for the big patches. i used pre lubed patches. have not burnt the paint off yet.

 

[TANSTAAFL]

Nope, not after 40+ years of no problems.