This post is a call for pictures of your original, or own made interesting ramrod tips, jags, worms etc to be used as inspiration when making replacements.
I've been recently working on a new ramrod for my squirrel rifle (Pedersoli plainsman, 197x made, . 38 cal, 44in barrel, in percussion).
Unfortunately previous ramrod was shot out the barrel very long time ago. A jag with too thick dry patch became stuck while cleaning between shots. Few grains of powder were dribbled through the nipple seat and the ramrod was successfully launched. Unfortunately half went one way, the other half the other way...
Ever since I wanted to make a new one and I recently did. As this is a. 38 I couldn't get a straight grained hardwood rod thin enough. So I sanded it down to a taper. I made a simple jag for one end and a cap on the other. I measured the length of the ramrod seat with a 7mm (0.27in) rod and I made the ramrod to match, but it would be better if it was at least an inch longer. I later found there is some extra space at the bottom of the ramrod channel, but it is very narrow. 5mm(0.2'') rod gets in, 7mm(0.27'') doesn't. So I'm thinking of making a brass extension to my ramrod. Perhaps one with a cap that hides a corkscrew style patch puller, or a patent breech cleaner.
I've been looking for pictures for inspiration, but other than old threads with missing pictures I haven't found much. So if you made an elaborate or otherwise interesting ramrod tip or jag, please post a picture. Likewise with originals.
I'll start with my own pictures to get the ball rolling.
Here is an original ramrod for an English percussion double shotgun made in the middle 18-hundreds.
Here is an original ramrod for a Belgian 9-bore smoothbore. Also percussion.
The difference in jag ends of the cheap Belgian and an expensive English gun are quite interesting. It is obvious the 9-bore jag was made by combining a circle and a strip of brass foil, while the English one has no visible connection so it must have been made using a pressed cup. None of them were made as we would have today, by turning from a piece of bar stock. I imagine brass bar stock was pretty expensive back in the day.
Then here is the current version of the squirrel rifle ramrod I made. The cap on the end will be replaced in future. The jag is pinned with an annealed brass rivet. If I break this ramrod I'll make another one with stainless steel rod core.
If I remember correctly the wood is straight grained beech.
I've been recently working on a new ramrod for my squirrel rifle (Pedersoli plainsman, 197x made, . 38 cal, 44in barrel, in percussion).
Unfortunately previous ramrod was shot out the barrel very long time ago. A jag with too thick dry patch became stuck while cleaning between shots. Few grains of powder were dribbled through the nipple seat and the ramrod was successfully launched. Unfortunately half went one way, the other half the other way...
Ever since I wanted to make a new one and I recently did. As this is a. 38 I couldn't get a straight grained hardwood rod thin enough. So I sanded it down to a taper. I made a simple jag for one end and a cap on the other. I measured the length of the ramrod seat with a 7mm (0.27in) rod and I made the ramrod to match, but it would be better if it was at least an inch longer. I later found there is some extra space at the bottom of the ramrod channel, but it is very narrow. 5mm(0.2'') rod gets in, 7mm(0.27'') doesn't. So I'm thinking of making a brass extension to my ramrod. Perhaps one with a cap that hides a corkscrew style patch puller, or a patent breech cleaner.
I've been looking for pictures for inspiration, but other than old threads with missing pictures I haven't found much. So if you made an elaborate or otherwise interesting ramrod tip or jag, please post a picture. Likewise with originals.
I'll start with my own pictures to get the ball rolling.
Here is an original ramrod for an English percussion double shotgun made in the middle 18-hundreds.
Here is an original ramrod for a Belgian 9-bore smoothbore. Also percussion.
The difference in jag ends of the cheap Belgian and an expensive English gun are quite interesting. It is obvious the 9-bore jag was made by combining a circle and a strip of brass foil, while the English one has no visible connection so it must have been made using a pressed cup. None of them were made as we would have today, by turning from a piece of bar stock. I imagine brass bar stock was pretty expensive back in the day.
Then here is the current version of the squirrel rifle ramrod I made. The cap on the end will be replaced in future. The jag is pinned with an annealed brass rivet. If I break this ramrod I'll make another one with stainless steel rod core.
If I remember correctly the wood is straight grained beech.
